Maryland Department of Emergency Management

Hazard Mitigation

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A header image featuring the words Hazard Mitigation overlaid on a photo of waves breaking against a seawall​​  

​The MDEM Hazard Mitigation Branch works to help Marylanders reduce the potential negative effects of the many natural and human-caused hazards that face our state. This work involves extensive collaboration with partners across both public and private sectors - before, during, and after disasters - to identify, build, and implement a hazard mitigation strategy that works best for them. Most of the time, these efforts fall into two categories: Planning and Grants.​

If you have any questions or want to get in touch, please email [email protected].



 

Mitigation​ Planning


Read about our process for identifying hazards, planning projects to help reduce
the harm if they happen, and helping make them a reality!​



State Hazard Mitigation Plan (SHMP)

Maryland's SHMP outlines a comprehensive strategy for developing resilience in communities across our state, from Western Maryland to Eastern Shore. This plan is updated every five years, and since our most recent version was approved in 2021, we are currently developing a new one for approval in 2026!

The update process begins by conducting a Hazard Identification & Risk Assessment (HIRA) to identify all the natural, technological, and human-caused hazards facing Maryland, as well as what risks they're likely to pose if they happen. Then, we'll create a plan of actions meant to help reduce - or "mitigate" - those risks, and increase our state's resilience.

This year, we've set up a special online planning website where you can follow and find updates as the planning process moves along. You can find it with the button below - we hope you check it often to see how we're working for you.

NOTE: This process is a team effort - if you'd like to get involved, click here!




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Get Mitigation Email Updates





 

Mitigation Grants


Learn about the grant application process, what mitigation
grant funding can be used for, and more!​​


The Hazard Mitigation team aims to make the process of getting funding for mitigation projects as smooth as possible. Sometimes that means administering grant funds from the state and federal levels, and sometimes it simply means making sure you're informed when a relevant grant is available (and how to apply). Explore our mitigation grant resources below to learn more!


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Grants Information
Grant FAQs​
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NOTICE


Due to​​ federal grant reprioritization and the rapidly changing environment, grant information is subject to change.

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Additional Resources


Find out even more - from information on mitigation processes,
to specific data for Marylanders and our neighbors, and beyond!​​



Mitigation planning doesn't just happen at the state level! Everyone from local governments to businesses to regional nonprofit groups can benefit from systematically assessing the risks their circumstances pose and planning for them ahead of time. To help make that easier, we've compiled a few helpful resources from and for our partners to help start folks off on their planning path.
Check them out below:
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