In 2000, in an effort to reduce the Nation's mounting natural disaster losses, Congress passed the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (DMA 20000) that, among other items, requires state and local governments to develop a hazard mitigation plan in order to remain eligible for pre-and post-disaster mitigation funding.

Each of Hampton Roads localities developed and maintained their own plans until 2011, when the Peninsula and Southside Hampton Roads Mitigations Plans were developed for Hampton Roads sub-regional areas. 

In 2017, the Hampton Roads Hazard Mitigation Plan was created and adopted by the 22 cities, counties and towns within the Hampton Roads region. The adoption of a true regional plan culminated a two year planning process that updated and combined six separate plans. The six separate plans and their year of adoption include:

• Southside Hampton Roads Hazard Mitigation Plan (2011)
• City of Franklin All-Hazards Mitigation Plan (2011)
• Southampton County All-Hazards Mitigation Plan (2011)
• Peninsula Hazard Mitigation Plan (2011)
• City of Chesapeake, Virginia Hazard Mitigation Plan (2014)
• City of Poquoson, Virginia Hazard Mitigation Plan (2015).

The general purpose of the Hampton Roads Hazard Mitigation Plan is to:

• protect life and property by reducing the potential for future damages and economic losses that result from natural hazards;
• qualify for additional grant funding, in both the pre-disaster and post-disaster environment;
• speed recovery and redevelopment following future disasters;
• integrate existing flood mitigation documents;
• demonstrate a firm local commitment to hazard mitigation principles; and
• comply with state and federal legislative requirements tied to local hazard mitigation planning.

The HRPDC and Salter’s Creek Consulting prepared the new regional Plan through funding provided via grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency through the Virginia Department of Emergency Management.

For more information or to read the Plan, click HERE.