Hazard Mitigation Planning

Why do we need a Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP)?

The LHMP assesses risk to natural hazards, implement actions to reduce future losses, and maintain eligibility for federal mitigation funds in accordance with the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000.

Most people who live or work in Los Alamos County have been affected by natural hazards in one way or another. The County and its residents are vulnerable to a variety of hazards including wildfire, flood, earthquake, dam failure and severe weather events.

The rising costs associated with disaster response and recovery have focused the attention of federal, state, and local governments on addressing natural hazards before they occur. Obviously, torrential rains, floods, and wildfires cannot be prevented from occurring. Planning for natural hazards and implementing mitigation measures, however, can reduce the impact of such events when they do occur. Emergency response and recovery costs, property damage and monetary losses, personal injury and loss of life, and the overall economic and social impact on the community can all be reduced, and in some instances eliminated, through natural hazard mitigation. This plan update established goals and prioritized projects to reduce the impacts of future disasters on people and property as well as to critical facilities and infrastructure and allows Los Alamos County to submit for Hazard Mitigation grant funding as opportunities arise.

Download a pdf version: Los Alamos Hazard Mitigation Plan (2016)(PDF, 7MB) Update coming late 2023/early 2024!