Anne Arundel County has taken a proactive step towards safeguarding its community against natural and human-made disasters by adopting an updated 2025 Hazard Mitigation Plan, as reported by the county's official website. Crafted by the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) alongside a dedicated Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee, the document draws input from a spectrum of Federal, state, and local stakeholders. Its primary focus is to identify, evaluate, and reduce risks to help protect residents, infrastructure, and property within the county.
Updated every five years to keep up with evolving threats, the plan is not just a guide for dealing with potential hazards but also satisfies federal law requirements for disaster preparedness. The adoption of this plan paves the way for Anne Arundel County to tap into funds specifically aimed at strengthening community resilience through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) and the Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) program. Despite the clear benefits these programs offer, crucial funds aimed at reducing or eliminating future risks, particularly in relation to repetitive flood damage to buildings included in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
The criticality of this updated plan was echoed in a statement by Preeti Emrick, the OEM Director, "This document represents a continual investment in our community," she told Anne Arundel County's news release. She adds, "By identifying the hazards, risks, and vulnerabilities and prioritizing projects, we are capable of building community resilience that helps us to prepare for the types of disasters that impact our community." The planning process is extensive, spanning multiple years and drawing on partnerships among County departments, municipalities, public utilities, nonprofit organizations, and citizens to compile necessary data and community insights.
The full 2025 Hazard Mitigation Plan is available for public access on the County website, with alternative formats available upon request through the Office of Emergency Management at 410-222-0600 or [email protected], and for TTY users via Maryland Relay 7-1-1.
