2021 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan [LHMP]

On June 15, 2021, the City of Oakland adopted the 2021-2026 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP). The LHMP serves as a meaningful guide to increasing the Oakland community’s resilience in the face of natural disasters, such as earthquakes, floods, extreme heat and fires. Thank you to all who provided input to the plan!

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We want your input on the plan

The LHMP is a living document. The finalized plan is available for review HERE. We continue to need your input on how to make Oakland a more Resilient city. Additionally, the LHMP was adopted as an amendment to the Safety Element of the Oakland General Plan. Go HERE for more information on the General Plan. Please continue to send all written comments to Emergencyplanning@oaklandca.gov.

Do you have questions about the Hazard Mitigation Plan? See FAQs here.

Purpose of the Plan

This website has been established to provide all interested community members with access to the LHMP update process as well as information about plan implementation and grant opportunities.

This plan identified potential hazards that the City of Oakland is most vulnerable to, assess risks to the city’s residents, buildings and critical facilities, and develop a mitigation strategy to reduce the risk of exposure and allow a swift and organized recovery should a disaster occur.

The hazards that the LHMP update addresses include:

  • Dam Failure or Flooding
  • Drought
  • Earthquake
  • Flooding from Storm
  • Public Health: Epidemic or Pandemic
  • Severe Weather: Wind, Extreme Cold, Extreme Heat, etc.
  • Seiche (inland water, tsunami-like wave caused by earthquake shaking)
  • Wildfire
  • Climate Change

City of Oakland Hazard Mitigation Story Map

Oakland Hazard Mapper Screenshot

Check out Oakland's Hazard Mitigation Story Map website for a visual depiction of the hazards being analyzed as part of the 2021 City of Oakland Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP).

→ Watch our Video on How to Use the Hazard Risk Story Mapper

Visit Oakland's Hazard Mitigation Story Map!

Related Initiatives

Oakland 2030 Equitable Climate Action Plan (ECAP) Resilient Oakland City of Oakland Current General Plan

Helpful Information

Maintaining an up-to-date Hazard Mitigation Plan is a federal requirement. The Oakland Fire Department will oversee the plan update process. Please contact the Emergency Management Services Division by email for more information about how they are coordinating the plan update process: Emergencyplanning@oaklandca.gov

Relevant FEMA Resources

Community Engagement

All project updates will be posted to this website so that you can easily find and engage with the information that matters to you.

Public Planning Meetings

The following public meetings/hearings were held by the City during the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan update process. The meeting details can be viewed below.

Steering Committee Meetings

Public Presentation Meetings

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Oakland Fire

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@OaklandFireCa

Twitter

@OaklandFireCa

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#ReadyOakland

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*Please use these hashtags when sharing information about the LHMP on social media

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Graphic QR Code for Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Updates

Sign up for email updates using this link or scan the QR code at the right.

Background

The Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (DMA) requires local governments to adopt a federally approved Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan in order to receive pre- and post-disaster mitigation funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. The DMA emphasizes planning for disasters before they occur.

For more information about FEMA funding tied to an active/updated Hazard Mitigation Plan, visit FEMA's website.

For reference, the prior City of Oakland 2016-2021 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan is also available to view. It is now superseded by the 2021 Plan.

Mission, Goals & Objectives

MISSION STATEMENT

To equitably reduce risk and increase resilience, the mission of the City of Oakland Local Hazard Mitigation Plan is to establish and promote a comprehensive mitigation strategy and efforts to protect the Whole Community and environment from identified natural and manmade hazards.

GOALS

  1. Protect life, property, the environment, and natural and cultural resources.
  2. Increase public awareness of and the prevention and preparedness for risks.
  3. Coordinate with other programs that can support or enhance hazard mitigation.
  4. Increase the effectiveness of emergency services provided to the City.
  5. Pursue feasible, cost-effective and environmentally-sound hazard mitigation measures.
  6. Increase adaptive capacity to reduce risk from hazard impacts based on a changing climate.
  7. Reduce racial disparities in how communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from local hazards.

OBJECTIVES

  1. Reduce repetitive losses due to flood, fire and earthquake by informing land use, design, and construction policies.
  2. Identify natural and manmade hazards that threaten life and property in the City.
  3. Use best available hazard data while reviewing proposed development opportunities.
  4. Encourage the incorporation of hazard mitigation measures into repairs, major alterations, new development, and redevelopment practices, especially in areas subject to substantial hazard risk.
  5. Encourage and support leadership within the private sector, non-profit agencies and community-based organizations to promote and implement local hazard mitigation activities.
  6. Incorporate risk reduction considerations in new and updated infrastructure and development plans to reduce the impacts of hazards.
  7. Continue providing City emergency services staff with training and equipment to address all identified hazards.
  8. Develop and provide updated information about threats, hazards, vulnerabilities, and mitigation strategies to state, regional, and local agencies, as well as private sector and nonprofit groups.
  9. Establish and maintain partnerships among all levels of government, private sector, community groups, and institutions of higher learning that improve and implement methods to protect life and property.
  10. Create financial and regulatory incentives to motivate stakeholders such as homeowners, private sector businesses, and nonprofit community organizations to mitigate hazards and risk.
  11. Continue developing and strengthening inter-jurisdictional coordination and cooperation in the area of emergency services.
  12. Support the protection of vital records, and strengthen or replace buildings, infrastructure, and lifelines to minimize post-disaster disruption and facilitate short-term and long-term recovery.
  13. Coordinate state and local efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and implement climate action strategies through hazard mitigation plans and actions.
  14. Implement hazard mitigation programs and projects that protect life, property, and the environment.
  15. Promote and implement hazard mitigation plans and projects that are consistent with state, regional and local climate adaptation goals, policies, and programs.
  16. Advance community resilience through preparation, adoption, and implementation of state, regional, and local multi-hazard mitigation plans and projects.
  17. Prioritize vulnerable populations in policy responses, including but not limited to, low-income individuals and families; people of color; the young; the elderly; people with disabilities; people with existing health issues, and people with limited English proficiency (LEP).