Reducing Philadelphia’s Risk 2022
November 30, 2022
The Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management (OEM) received official approval from the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region 3 on November 30, 2022 to formally amend the current 2022 Philadelphia All-Hazard Mitigation Plan to include the following mitigation actions. These new mitigation actions fulfill all requirements of a hazard mitigation project and align with existing mitigation goals and objectives as defined in the 2022 plan.
| Potential Action #4.2.31: 21st Street Flood Hazard Mitigation Project | |
| Description | Replace 1,860 linear feet of 4’0″ brick sewer with 72″ reinforced concrete pipe sewer along a segment of 21st Street in the Germantown Neighborhood along with associated inlet improvements |
| Hazard | Flooding |
| Lead Agency | Philadelphia Water Department |
| Project Type | Structure and Infrastructure |
| Goals & Objectives | Goal 4, Objective 2 |
| Implementation | PWD has completed approximately 90% of the design and is seeking funding for the construction costs associated with the sewer replacement and inlet improvement |
| Potential Funding Sources | FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance Programs, Staff Time, Operating Budget |
| Potential Action #2.8.13: Eastwick Scoping and Capacity Building Project | |
| Description | Conduct a comprehensive review and evaluation of existing flood mitigation alternatives in Eastwick through engineering and environmental studies, benefit-cost analysis, hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, and stakeholder engagement |
| Hazard | Flooding, Hurricanes |
| Lead Agency | Office of Sustainability |
| Project Type | Local Planning and Regulations, Structure and Infrastructure, Natural Systems Protection |
| Goals & Objectives | Goal 2, Objective 8 |
| Implementation | This project is in the project scoping phase for advanced planning/pre-design |
| Potential Funding Sources | FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance, Staff Time, Operating Budget |
These projects will be included in the 2022 Hazard Mitigation Plan. For any questions or concerns, please reach out to OEM@phila.gov.
May 20, 2022
Philadelphia’s 2022 All-Hazard Mitigation Plan was brought before City Council on May 19th where it was voted on and officially adopted. Previously on May 6th, the plan received Approval Pending Adoption from the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
View the final plan.
The update process began over two years ago during the City’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Priorities for the 2022 plan include
equity, climate change, and integrating the plan with partners. There are over 1,000 pages in the plan that examine 18 hazards profiles and 163 mitigation actions, including sea level rise which was incorporated for the first time in our flooding and hazard profiles.
Nearly 400 public responses delivered input for the plan along with 11 outreach events, including community workshops.
There were 85 different agencies and organizations that engaged in the update with our office. Thirty-one meetings were held to discuss developments in the plan. Key partners in the plan update include the Philadelphia Office of Sustainability, Philadelphia Water Department, Philadelphia City Planning Commission, Philadelphia Office of Transportation, Infrastructure & Sustainability, Philadelphia Fire Department, Department of Public Property, Parks and Recreation, Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities, Mayor’s Office of Policy, and the Office of Recovery and Grants.
January 21, 2022
Philadelphia’s 2022 All-Hazard Mitigation Plan DRAFT has been released for public review and comment as of January 31, 2022. We need your feedback!
View the 2022 DRAFT Hazard Mitigation Plan and send comments to OEM@Phila.gov OR fill out this Feedback Form online. Comments will be accepted through March 3, 2022.
Printed copies of the plan can be viewed at the following Free Library of Philadelphia locations:
- Eastwick Library, 2851 Island Ave, 215-685-4170
- Roxborough Library, 6245 Ridge Ave, 215-685-2550
- Logan Library, 1333 Wagner Ave, 215-685-9156
Find free library locations with public computers to review online.
Watch the public meeting that was held on January 31, 2022. Closed Captioning available.
| Name | Description | Released | Format |
| FINAL 2022 All-Hazard Mitigation Plan | 2022 Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) as approved by City Council, FEMA, and PEMA. This is a large download. | May 19, 2022 | |
| Annex A: Bibliography | A document listing the sources used for the 2022 HMP update. Annexes D, E and F are For Official Use Only (FOUO). | Jan 31, 2022 | |
| Annex B: Local Mitigation Plan Review Tool | Required FEMA review tool specifying requirements met. | Jan 31, 2022 | |
| Annex C: Meeting and Participation Documentation | Documentation of all meeting and workshops held throughout the 2022 HMP Planning Process. | Jan 31, 2022 | |
| Annex G: Review of 2017 Mitigation Strategy | Documentation of removed, completed, and updated mitigation actions from the 2017 HMP. | Jan 31, 2022 |
What is the Hazard Mitigation Plan?
Hazard Mitigation is the act of reducing or eliminating the risk of natural, human-caused, or technological disasters. The Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) describes which hazards, like flooding and winter storms, affect Philadelphia. The plan also looks at what City projects can help reduce damage from disasters before they happen.
View the 2017 Hazard Mitigation Plan.
Why Mitigate?
- Helps prevent loss of life and injury
- Prevents damage to property, businesses and homes
- For everyone $1 spent in mitigation = $6 saved in disaster response and recovery
- Protects the City of Brotherly Love’s unique economic, cultural and environmental features
How can you be involved in the 2022 Plan Update?
Every five years, FEMA requires the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) to update the City of Philadelphia’s Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP). The City’s next plan update is due in 2022. As a resident, community member, worker, or business owner in Philadelphia, your local knowledge of hazards in your community can help.
We want to hear from you! OEM will be seeking feedback on a draft of our 2022 plan during a virtual, final draft review workshop:
Final Draft Review Workshop: Monday, January 31st from 10:30am – noon. Virtual (Zoom). Register here
This meeting is open to all planning partners and the public. There will be an opportunity for questions, answers, and feedback from the audience.
Following this workshop, the plan will be published on OEM’s website for a 30-day public review and comment period. Printed copies will also be available at several Free Library of Philadelphia locations. All questions, comments, and feedback can be directed to oem@phila.gov. All feedback will be documented in the plan prior to final submission to the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for final review and approval.
If you require accommodations for this meeting, please reach out to oem@phila.gov and provide additional details on accommodations required in the Eventbrite registration form.
Provide comments
Review the plan and provide us with your comments by emailing oem@phila.gov.
Attend a workshop
We will be hosting a series of meetings to talk with YOU about hazards you’re most concerned with. All workshops will be open to the public. Dates and times will be posted right here on our website. Stay tuned!
Follow us
Follow us on social media @PhilaOEM for frequent updates as we work to update the plan by 2022.
Spread the word
Tell everyone who lives, works, or plays in Philadelphia about the plan and how they can get involved!
Reach out
Questions about the plan or curious how you can schedule a workshop for your community? Reach out to us at OEM@phila.gov.
Hazard Mitigation Plan Documents
| Name | Description | Released | Format |
| 2020 Annual Review | 2020 review of the 2017 Hazard Mitigation Plan. | TBD | |
| 2017 Hazard Mitigation Plan (Full Plan) | 2017 plan for reducing risk of both natural and human-caused hazards in Philadelphia. This is a large download. | May 17, 2017 | |
| 2012 Hazard Mitigation Plan (Full Plan) | 2012 assessment of methods for addressing natural hazards in Philadelphia. | May 1, 2012 | |
| December 2020 Plan Amendment
|
Formal amendment made to 2017 Hazard Mitigation Plan, approved December 2020
|
December 2020 |
| October 2021 Plan Amendment |
Formal amendment made to 2017 Hazard Mitigation
Plan, approved November 2021 |
December 2021 |
| December 2021 Plan Amendment |
Formal amendment made to 2017 Hazard Mitigation
Plan, approved December 2021 |
December 2021 |
The 2017 Hazard Mitigation Plan
| Name | Description | Released | Format |
| 2017 Hazard Mitigation Plan (Full Plan) | Full 2017 Hazard Mitigation Plan. This is a large download. | May 17, 2017 | |
| 1. Introduction | Provides background on the 2017 Hazard Mitigation Plan. | May 17, 2017 | |
| 2. Community Profile | General overview of Philadelphia in 2017 including demographics, economic characteristics and the City’s natural and built environment. | May 17, 2017 | |
| 3. Planning Process | Outline the process Philadelphia used for creating the 2017 Hazard Mitigation Plan. | May 17, 2017 | |
| 4. Risk and Vulnerability Assessment | An analysis of the hazards and risks facing Philadelphia in 2017. | May 17, 2017 | |
| 5. Capability Assessment | Reviews Philadelphia’s authority, policies, plans, programs and resources available in 2017 reduce risk to hazards. | May 17, 2017 | |
| 6. Mitigation Strategy | Projects and plans as of 2017 that the City can complete to reduce losses from disasters. | May 17, 2017 | |
| 7. Plan Maintenance and 8. Plan Adoption | Description of how the city will monitor, evaluate and update the 2017 Hazard Mitigation Plan. | May 17, 2017 | |
| 9. Annexes | Support documents | May 17, 2017 | |
| Community Annexes | Description of hazards in each Planning Zone in Philadelphia. | May 17, 2017 | PFD |
Funding for Mitigation Projects
Does your organization or non-profit have a mitigation project that you’d like featured in our plan? Are you looking for opportunities to fund a project? Check out the opportunities below!
Accepting Project Proposals for BRIC and FMA NOW! Each fall, The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) opens up two Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grant Programs: Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) and the new Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) . FEMA’s FMA and BRIC programs provide funds for hazard mitigation planning activities and implementation of mitigation programs featured in the city’s Hazard Mitigation Plan.
Hazard mitigation activities are intended to reduce or eliminate future property damages and loss of life from natural hazards such as floods, tornadoes, and storms. FMA and BRIC are two separate programs, each with distinct and separate eligibility criteria and program rules.
Award
For BRIC, each State/Territory is allocated $600,000 with no funding cap on individual mitigation projects. For FMA, each State/Territory will be allocated $600,000 for Project Scoping and a maximum $30,000,000 cap per community flood mitigation project sub-application.
Cost sharing requirements vary by program, but most grants are funded with a 75% federal share and a 25% local match.
Timeline:
September 30, 2020: Application opens on FEMA Grants Outcome (FEMA Go).
October 8, 2020: Project proposals due to Office of Grants, Ashley.DelBianco@phila.gov.
October 13, 2020: Grants workshop with PEMA and FEMA. Anyone is welcome, but applicants must be in attendance.
October 14, 2020: Projects approved by the city will be announced no later than this date.
October 15, 2020: Letter of Interest is due to PEMA.
November 18, 2020: Applications due to the State by 5:00pm.
January 29, 2021: State will make selection and submit selected projects to FEMA for consideration.
June 2021: Winner will be announced.
Process
To be considered for funding, an applicant must submit a project proposal to the Mayor’s Office of Grants to determine eligibility for grant funding. Projects will be chosen in consultation with City Hazard Mitigation Planners for submission to the State on a competitive basis.
The City is accepting project proposals NOW. For more information on how to submit a potential project for BRIC or FMA, please see the Process for Endorsement document linked below.
Not sure if your meets the criteria? Reach out to us at oem@phila.gov.
Funding Opportunities Resources
| Name | Description | Released | Format |
| FY2020 BRIC/FMA Process for Endorsement | Process of submitting project proposals to the City for BRIC and FMA | October 1, 2020 | |
| Hazard Mitigation Grant Program | Information on FEMA grand funds available after a presidentially declared disaster | N/A | Website |