Disaster Mitigation Plan - 2026
The hazard mitigation planning program assists local governments in formulating or updating plans to identify hazard risk and vulnerability and then outlining steps to lessen the impact of a natural hazard event. Hazard mitigation planning is about anticipating hazards and planning ahead so communities can minimize injuries, loss of life, and property damage when disasters occur rather than relying solely on emergency response afterward.
According to the National Centers for Environmental Information, the United States sustained 403 weather and climate disasters from 1980–2024 where overall damages/costs reached or exceeded $1 billion (including Consumer Price Index, or CPI, adjustment to 2024). The total cost of these 403 events exceeds $2.915 trillion. In 2024, there were 27 confirmed weather/climate disaster events with losses exceeding $1 billion each to affect the United States. These events included 1 drought event, 1 flooding event, 17 severe storm events, 5 tropical cyclone events, 1 wildfire event, and 2 winter storm events. The 1980–2024 annual average is 9.0 events (CPI-adjusted); the annual average for the most recent 5 years (2020–2024) is 23.0 events (CPI-adjusted). 1
In Alabama, there were116 confirmed weather/climate disaster events with losses exceeding $1 billion each between 1980 and 2024. These events included 16 drought events, 2 flooding events, 3 freeze events, 58 severe storm events, 26 tropical cyclone events, 2 wildfire events, and 9 winter storm events. The 1980–2024 annual average is 2.6 events (CPI-adjusted); the annual average for the most recent 5 years (2020–2024) is 6.4 events (CPI-adjusted).1
Between 2020 and 2024, Alabama was impacted by 32 natural disaster events, each of which resulted in more than $1 billion in damages: eight tropical cyclones, 22 severe storms, one drought, and one winter storm (CPI-adjusted). The costliest events were Hurricane Ida in August 2021, at $84.6 billion and 96 deaths, and Hurricane Helene, at $78.7 billion and 219 deaths. In 2020, Alabama suffered between combined losses between $5 and $10 billion from three tropical cyclones and six severe storm events. 1
- NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) U.S. Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters (2025). https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/billions/, DOI: 10.25921/stkw-7w73
Mitigation of Natural Disasters
Although forecasting of natural hazard events, such as severe storms, hurricanes, tornados, and/or flooding, has greatly improved over the years, it remains impossible to pinpoint the time and location that an event may occur. It is possible, however, to prepare for natural hazard events and their impact to minimize injury, loss of life and damage to property. Hazard mitigation is any sustained action taken to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to life and property from hazard events. It is an on-going process that occurs before, during, and after disasters and serves to break the cycle of damage and repair in hazardous areas.
The impact of natural disasters can be reduced in many different ways, much of which is both affordable and highly effective. In December 2019, the National Institute of Building Sciences produced a study, Natural Hazard Mitigation Saves, with a cost-benefit analysis of natural hazard mitigation actions. The findings are that, on average, for every $1 spent on federal mitigation grants results in $6 savings in disaster recovery. The overall cost benefit ratio is even higher for the adoption and enforcement of local buildings codes at $11 to $1. (Natural Hazard Mitigation Saves: 2019 Report – National Institute of Building Sciences)
Section 409 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (public Law 93-228, as amended), Title 44 Code of Federal Regulations, as amended by Part 201 of the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (DMA 2000) requires that all state and local governments develop a hazard mitigation plan as a condition of receiving federal disaster assistance. These plans should be approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and updated every five years. DMA 2000 prioritizes pre-disaster mitigation planning and requires state and local governments, and other public bodies, to develop hazard mitigation plans to qualify for federal grant assistance. The hazard mitigation plan should focus on reducing future disaster damage through proactive planning and encourage sustainable community partnerships.
A hazard mitigation plan must include goals and actions for each participating jurisdiction that address each of the applicable hazards and align with FEMA five mission areas, as defined below.
| FEMA Hazard Mitigation Mission Areas | Purpose |
| Prevention | Stop or avoid an imminent act of terrorism. |
| Protection | Safeguard people, infrastructure, and assets from threats and hazards. |
| Mitigation | Reduce long-term risk to life and property from hazards. |
| Response | Save lives and protect property during and immediately after an incident. |
| Prevention | Stop or avoid an imminent act of terrorism. |
2026 Southeast Alabama Regional Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan
SEARP&DC is working with ten counties in the Alabama Emergency Management Agency’s (AEMA) Division B: Barbour County, Butler County, Coffee County, Covington County, Crenshaw County, Dale County, Geneva County, Henry County, Houston County, and Pike County. The AEMA Division B Area covers 6,982.22 square miles, which is equal to 13.3 percent of the State of Alabama. As of 2024, the total combined population of the ten counties is 384,208 which is 7.6 percent of the state’s total population. (2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates) Within the AEMA Division B, there are 72 municipalities that are home to 64.7 percent of the area’s total population, with a combined municipal population of 248,574.
The most recent Southeast Alabama Regional Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan was updated and approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and adopted by participating jurisdictions in late 2021 and early 2022. The 2021 Southeast Alabama Regional Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan expires in November 2026, necessitating the current review and update by all ten counties.
Planning Process and Schedule:
The SEARP&DC will work with the jurisdictions in the AEMA Division B area by county in three rounds of stakeholder and public meetings. The first two rounds of meetings are stakeholder meetings that will be conducted by Zoom. The third round of meetings will be public Open House meetings with a come-and-go format that will allow citizens to review the hazard mitigation material for that particular county, and them make comments and suggestions. A fourth round of meetings may be planned, as necessary, to review major issues or changes. Otherwise, the goal is to submit the draft 2026 Southeast Alabama Regional Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan to the Alabama Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency by the end of June 2026. All meetings are open to the public and all interested persons are encouraged to attend.
Meeting topics, dates, and meeting materials and summaries are provided here:
Round 1: Stakeholder Meetings by Zoom
Topics: Introduction to Hazard Mitigation Planning
Participating Jurisdictions
Area Profile
Risk Assessment
Critical Facilities
Jurisdictional Capabilities
Hazard Vulnerability
County | Date and Time | Meeting Notes – PDF |
Barbour County | Monday, 3/23 @ 8:30 AM | 1. Barbour County Notes – PDF 2.Barbour County Meeting 1 Notes – PDF |
Butler County | Monday, 3/23 @ 10:30 AM | 1. Butler County Notes – PDF 2.Butler County Meeting 1 Notes – PDF |
Coffee County | Tuesday, 3/24 @ 8:30 AM | Coffee County Notes – PDF |
Covington County | Tuesday, 3/24 @ 10:30 AM | |
Crenshaw County | Wednesday, 3/25 @ 8:30 AM | |
Dale County | Wednesday, 3/25 @ 10:30 AM | |
Geneva County | Thursday, 3/26 @ 8:30 AM | |
Henry County | Thursday, 3/26 @ 10:30 AM | |
Houston County | Monday, 3/30 @ 8:30 AM | |
Pike County | Monday, 3/30 @ 10:30 AM |
Meeting Materials to Come Following Meeting.
Round 2: Stakeholder Meetings by Zoom
Topics: Review from Meeting 1
Hazard Risk Index
Review and Update of Jurisdiction Hazard Mitigation Action Plans
**Current Jurisdictional Action Plans are available for review in the Southeast Alabama Regional Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan**
County | Date and Time | Zoom Link to Come |
Barbour County | Monday, 4/13@ 8:30 AM | Click to the Zoom Meeting |
Butler County | Monday, 4/13@ 10:30 AM | Click to the Zoom Meeting |
Coffee County | Tuesday, 4/14 @ 8:30 AM | Click to the Zoom Meeting |
Covington County | Tuesday, 4/14 @ 10:30 AM | Click to the Zoom Meeting |
Crenshaw County | Wednesday, 4/15 @ 8:30 AM | Click to the Zoom Meeting |
Dale County | Wednesday, 4/15 @ 10:30 AM | Click to the Zoom Meeting |
Geneva County | Thursday, 4/16 @ 8:30 AM | Click to the Zoom Meeting |
Henry County | Thursday, 4/16 @ 10:30 AM | Click to the Zoom Meeting |
Houston County | Monday, 4/20 @ 8:30 AM | Click to the Zoom Meeting |
Pike County | Monday, 4/20 @ 10:30 AM | Click to the Zoom Meeting |
Meeting Materials to Come Following Meeting.
Round 3: Public Open House Meetings
These meetings are held in a come-and-go format to allow citizens an opportunity to review the updated hazard risk analysis and risk index and proposed action plan. Citizens will be able to ask questions and leave comments and/or suggestions.
Topics: Area Profile
Hazard Profiles
Hazard Risk Assessment
Hazard Vulnerability
Hazard Risk Index
Draft Hazard Mitigation Action Plans
County | Date and Time | Location |
Barbour County | Tuesday, 4/28 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Clayton Courthouse: 1 Court Square, Clayton |
Butler County | Wednesday, 4/29 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM | Butler County Commission Chambers: 202 Patsaliga St., Greenville |
Coffee County | Thursday, 4/30 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Coffee County EMA: 1065 E. McKinnon St., Suite 8, New Brockton |
Covington County | Wednesday, 4/29 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Covington County Commission Chambers: 260 Hillcrest Drive, Andalusia |
Crenshaw County | Tuesday, 5/5 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Crenshaw County EMA: 118 E. Third Street, Luverne |
Dale County | Thursday, 5/7 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Dale County Government Building: 202 Alabama Highway 123, Ozark |
Geneva County | Thursday, 4/30 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM | Geneva County EMA Emergency Operations: 606 S. Academy St., Geneva |
Henry County | Tuesday, 4/28 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM | Henry County Annex: Commission Chambers, 101 North Doswell, Abbeville |
Houston County | Thursday, 5/7 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM | Dothan-Houston County EMA: 405 E. Adams Street, Dothan |
Pike County | Tuesday, 5/5 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM | Pike County Health Department: 900 South Franklin Dr., Troy |
Meeting Materials to Come Following Meeting.
Contacts
Interested persons may contact their county emergency management director, or other representative, or Tracy Delaney who is working with Southeast Alabama Regional Planning & Development Commission to produce the Southeast Alabama Regional Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan.
County | Director | |
Barbour | David Logan | |
Butler | Rosie Till | |
Coffee | Grant Lyons | |
Coffee, Deputy Director | Andrew Lore | |
Covington | Alan Syler | |
Crenshaw | Ellliott Jones | |
Dale | Willlie Worsham | |
Geneva | Brian Smith | |
Henry | Matt Hatcher | |
Houston | Mark Powell | |
Pike | Herbert Reeves | |
SEARP&DC | Tracy Delaney |