Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan

Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan

Disasters can cause loss of life; damage buildings and infrastructure; and have devastating consequences for a community’s economic, social, and environmental well-being. Hazard mitigation planning reduces disaster damages and is defined as sustained action taken to reduce or eliminate the long-term risk to human life and property from natural hazards.

The Stanislaus County Office of Emergency Services is in collaboration with the cities of Ceres, Hughson, Modesto, Newman, Oakdale, Patterson, Riverbank, Turlock, Waterford, and the County Office of Education. The MJHMP recognizes earthquakes, floods, dam inundation, landslides and wildfire as the local natural hazards. The MJHMP also states mitigation strategies and actions that serve as the long-term blueprint for reducing potential losses. Activities such as issuing building permits, repairing roads and training first responders are examples of specific actions which can be taken to prevent or minimize damage. Such activities have been identified for each hazard in the LHMP.

The MJHMP must be updated every five years. It may be used as a base plan by cities and special districts within Stanislaus County for the development of their own specific plan. Federal emergency management agencies will only provide disaster relief funds to local government that have shown positive steps to prevent loss and damages from disasters by adopting a Hazard Mitigation Plan.