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Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding for pre-disaster mitigation is dependent on the adoption of a FEMA approved Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP). The Office of Emergency Services assumed the responsibility for drafting the County’s first plan. A copy of the plan will be available shortly for public review on this website as well as at the Central Branch Library. The County has experienced a number of natural hazards. Every aspect of the County including its economic prosperity, social and cultural diversity, scenic beauty and historical character could be dramatically altered by an earthquake, flood, tsunami or fire. Flooding, earthquakes, drought and cliff retreat have all occurred in Santa Cruz within the last 30 years. Until 1989, flooding on the San Lorenzo River caused the most severe damage in the City. On October 17, 1989 the Loma Prieta Earthquake struck the area and changed that history. It destroyed over 50% of the downtown commercial core in the city of Santa Cruz and displaced over 205 businesses, 5,000 employees and hundreds of residents. While no one can predict or protect the County against every possible hazard, potential impacts can be anticipated and steps taken to avoid or reduce the harm they may cause. This plan is part of an ongoing process to evaluate the risks that hazards pose to Santa Cruz and will set the framework for the community to pursue in order to reduce these risks. FEMA has defined very specific requirements for local hazard mitigation plans and this plan follows those requirements. Goals, objectives and supporting actions will be identified as part of the mitigation strategy in collaboration with the County departments responsible for their implementation. These goals and supporting actions are not new but have been taken from various plans adopted by the Board of Supervisors, including the General Plan Safety Element, the Capital Improvement Program, the 2005 Urban Water Management Plan, the Integrated Water Plan, the Emergency Management Plan and several fire safety plans. back to Emergency Services Home Page |