Press Release

NYC EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT LAUNCHES 2024 NEW YORK CITY HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN 

July 3, 2024 — NYC Emergency Management announced that the United States Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved New York City’s 2024 update to the Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP). The HMP represents the City’s plan for assessing natural hazards that pose a risk to New Yorkers and infrastructure and directs how we can reduce long-term risks to life or property from these hazards. The Hazard Mitigation Plan's HMPs approval is timely as the City faces extreme heat and coastal storms that come with summer. The 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season began on June 1. In New York City, peak hurricane season runs from August through October. 

The HMP establishes the City’s eligibility for FEMA mitigation funding. Since Hurricane Sandy, City agencies have been selected for over $610M in Hazard Mitigation Grants, and with the creation of the of the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program, the City has access to over a billion dollars in funding each year. This is made possible because we have a Hazard Mitigation Plan. 

“The Hazard Mitigation Plan positions New York City as proactive instead of reactive, setting our communities up for faster recovery after extreme weather events,” said NYC Emergency Management Commissioner Zach Iscol. “By leveraging the highest levels of expertise, this plan helps our city adapt to a changing climate. We invite all New Yorkers to review the plan to learn more about how we are building a resilient future for New Yorkers.” 

“Climate change has brought more extreme weather to New York City, including sudden and severe thunderstorms, frequent coastal flooding, and high heat – all of which pose serious dangers to vulnerable populations and properties,” said Chief Climate Officer and Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala. “This comprehensive Hazard Mitigation Plan will identify and assess the impacts of climate change so we can, in turn, invest in infrastructure where needed and develop preparedness strategies for at-risk communities. Using this web-based blueprint to secure FEMA funding will make our city more resilient and help us better manage future disasters.” 

“As climate change causes more extreme weather events, it’s essential that New Yorkers understand how to reduce hazards and risks to people and property – because every dollar invested in hazard mitigation saves six dollars in the long term,” said Mayor’s Office of Climate & Environmental Justice Executive Director Elijah Hutchinson. “The Hazard Mitigation Plan’s social vulnerability section will help agencies, individuals, and community groups understand socioeconomic factors and their undeniable relation to climate impacts.” 

This is a web-based plan that makes a document that usually sits on shelf and collects dust into a living document that is dynamic, interactive plan that reaches a broader audience, and assists agencies with mitigation investment. NYCEM encourages residents to explore the HMP at nychazardmitigation.com. 

The HMP includes the following: 

·        Key features of New York City’s environment that makes it vulnerable to hazards. 

·        Risk assessments for nine hazards discussing probability, location, and historic events. 

·        Best practices and specific City-led strategies for managing risk associated with each of these hazards. 

 “This report marks the culmination of two years of collaboration with over 30 agencies and organizations,” said NYC Emergency Management Planning Program Manager Ahmad Shaibani. “Their contributions ensure New York City’s resilience to natural hazards. However, we continue to invite feedback to ensure the latest evidence and emerging needs are reflected.” 

“The City of New York and NYC Emergency Management had the foresight to engage stakeholders across all sectors in the most recent Hazard Mitigation Plan,” said Fellow of the American Institute of Architects and HMP Steering Committee member Illya Azarof. “New York City is much better prepared for shocks and stresses to our communities from natural hazards. The HMP is a true roadmap, aimed at creating a resilient, sustainable, equitable, and healthy city for everyone.”  

“As our region continues to face increasingly intense storms, wildfires, and other natural disasters, we must remain diligent and prepared,” said Ellis Calvin, Data Research Manager at Regional Plan Association (RPA). “FEMA’s approval of the City’s HMP is a crucial hurdle in disaster preparedness. We look forward to working with local civic and government partners to implement its guidelines.” 

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