2019 HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN

The City of Clearlake began efforts to develop a Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) for the City.  The purpose of the LHMP process was to help reduce the impacts of natural hazards to the citizens, property, and critical infrastructure in the City. The Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (DMA 2000) required that local governments have a FEMA-approved Hazard Mitigation Plan in place in order to be eligible for certain pre- and post-disaster mitigation funding utilized to protect communities from future disaster related losses.  

FEMA defines Hazard Mitigation as any action taken to reduce or eliminate the long-term risk to human life and property from hazards. Hazard mitigation planning is a process for state and local governments to identify community-level policies and actions to mitigate and thus reduce the impacts of natural hazards.

In accordance with the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000, the City of Clearlake developed a Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP).  Wildfire, drought, flood, and severe weather hazards are just a few of the hazards of concern to the Clearlake community.  While natural hazards such as these cannot be prevented, an LHMP forms the foundation for a community's long-term strategy to reduce disaster losses by breaking the repeated cycle of disaster damage and reconstruction. Communities with a DMA-compliant, FEMA- approved LHMP are eligible for FEMA pre- and post-disaster grant funding and are better positioned to respond and recover when disasters occur.

Opportunities for Input

Members of the community had a very important role in this process. A complete version of the 2019 LHMP is available for viewing.

Planning team and public meetings were held as part of the plan development process.  In addition to plan, participation by the City of Clearlake and stakeholders from other local, state and federal agencies, the public was encouraged to attend and participate in all public meetings.  

According to City Manager Alan Flora, “Emergency preparedness is a priority of the Council and City staff, working in partnership with the Lake County Fire Protection District.

The process began in October 2018 with an initial public meeting and the establishment of a planning committee comprised of City departments and other key stakeholders. The plan is scheduled was finalized and is available for viewing pending adoption.

DRAFT LOCAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN