City of Philadelphia All-Hazard Mitigation Plan Update 2025
Introduction
This Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) update is a collaborative effort between the City of Philadelphia; the School District and other public authorities; State and Federal governments; private sector organizations such as hospitals, and utilities; as well as community members who are interested in mitigation efforts within the City. The HMP describes which hazards, like flooding and winter storms, affect Philadelphia. The plan also looks at what City projects can help reduce damage from disasters before they happen.
The 2025 Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan is now available on the "Draft Plan" tab! Check below for the opportunity to comment on the draft plan!
Take Our Survey
We would like your feedback! We invite the community to review the draft plan and offer comments and feedback. Your participation in this review and comment process will be invaluable in assisting the City in developing a plan that reflects the community's concerns and priorities for effective hazard mitigation. All responses will be kept confidential and will be utilized solely for the purpose of finalizing the HMP. The review survey is intended for City residents or persons who work in the City who are 18 years or older. For assistance, please contact oem.hazmit@phila.gov. The City of Philadelphia thanks you for your time in this effort.
About Hazard Mitigation
The City of Philadelphia’s 2025 All-Hazard Mitigation Plan is required by state and federal agencies in order for the City to be eligible for certain types of non-emergency disaster assistance, including funding for mitigation projects. The 2025 update prioritizes equity, climate change, and alignment with City processes and plans to build community resilience. The plan will assess 18 hazards that include natural, human-caused, and technological hazards.
Refer to the Public Participation Page to stay up to date on meetings and how you can participate in the HMP update.
Hazard mitigation is any sustained action taken to reduce the long-term risk posed by hazards. The ultimate goal of hazard mitigation is to reduce the loss of life and property, while lessening the impact of disasters.
Vulnerable Populations
Social vulnerability is defined as "the susceptibility of social groups to the adverse impacts of natural hazards, including disproportionate death, injury, loss, or disruption of livelihood" (FEMA - National Risk Index ).
Vulnerable populations are those who have a high social vulnerability score and include persons over the age of 65, children under the age of 5, disabled persons, non-English speaking persons, and others. It is increasingly important to mitigate hazards of concern in these communities as it is more difficult for vulnerable populations to bounce back from hazard impacts.
What is a Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP)?
The HMP is aimed at supporting the City in being disaster resistant by reducing or eliminating the long-term risk of loss of life and property from the full range of natural and man-made disasters. It meets the requirements of the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 .
The plan consists of three key elements:
- Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment: Identifies the characteristics of hazards likely to impact the County. The Risk Assessment explores the potential for damage, loss, or other impacts created by the interaction of hazards with community assets. Through the Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment process, the City will identify and update hazards of concern, assess community and asset vulnerability to hazards of concern, and rank hazard risk.
- Capability Assessment: Evaluates City resources to manage risk. The Capability Assessment aids in identifying gaps and showcasing existing mitigation and resilience measures in communities throughout the City.
- Mitigation Strategy: Sets the priorities and develops long-term strategies to reduce risk. The Mitigation Strategy is the City’s roadmap for reducing risk and building community resilience. It is a set of well thought out and prioritized activities, such as projects, plan development, and outreach.
Draft Plan
The draft Hazard Mitigation Plan is available for review. Please click on the various buttons below to review each section of the plan accordingly.
Chapter 14 - Dam Failure (For Official Use Only)
Appendix A: Resolution (To be provided upon City Adoption)
Appendix B: Meeting Documentation (To be provided upon completion of planning process)
Appendix C: Public and Stakeholder Outreach (To be provided upon completion of planning process)
Appendix D: Participation Matrix (To be provided upon completion of planning process)
Appendix G: Critical Facility Inventory (For Official Use Only)
Mitigation Actions
Mitigation actions are projects, plans, or activities identified to help in reducing or eliminating current and future vulnerabilities from hazards. They form the core of the plan and are a key outcome of the planning process. Mitigation actions typically fall into four categories – Local Planning and Regulations, Structure and Infrastructure Projects, Natural Systems Protection, and Education and Awareness Programs. The following table describes these types of actions.
Mitigation Type | Description | Examples |
|---|---|---|
Local Plans and Regulations | These actions include government authorities, policies or codes that influence the way land and buildings are developed and built. | - Comprehensive plans - Land use ordinances - Subdivision regulations - Development review - Building codes and enforcement - NFIP CRS - Capital improvement programs - Open space preservation - Stormwater management regulations and master plans |
Structure and Infrastructure Projects | These actions involve modifying existing structures and infrastructure to protect them from a hazard or remove them from a hazard area. This could apply to public or private structures as well as critical facilities and infrastructure. | - Acquisitions and elevations of structures in flood-prone areas - Utility undergrounding - Structural retrofits - Floodwalls and retaining walls - Detention and retention structures - Culverts - Safe rooms |
Natural Systems Protection and Nature-based Solutions | This type of action can include green infrastructure and low impact development, nature-based solutions, Engineering with Nature and bioengineering to incorporate natural features or processes into the built environment. | - Sediment and erosion control - Stream corridor restoration - Forest management - Conservation easements - Wetland restoration and preservation - Land conservation - Greenways - Rain gardens - Living shorelines |
Education and Awareness Programs | These types of actions keep residents informed about potential natural disasters. Many of these types of actions are eligible for funding through the FEMA HMA program. | - Radio or television spots - Social media outreach - Websites with maps and information - Real estate disclosure - Presentations to school groups or neighborhood organizations - Mailings to residents in hazard-prone areas - Targeted outreach to underserved communities and socially vulnerable populations - Outreach materials in languages other than English |
FEMA Mitigation Actions for Hazard Mitigation Planning
Hazards of Concern
The HMP identifies and assesses the potential impact of 18 natural, human-caused, and technological hazards that threaten the City of Philadelphia. Scroll through to view a snapshot of each hazard included in the 2025 HMP update.
Note for the Flood, Sea Level Rise, and Hazardous Materials dashboards:
The values presented on each Hazard Exposure Dashboard are the results of the exposure assessment conducted for the City of Philadelphia Hazard Mitigation Plan 2025 update. To change the data view, click on the drop-down selector on the top right of the screen to change the Planning District. To turn on/off hazards, click on the layer icon on the map. The indicators display the value of hazard exposure for each hazard for the selected planning district.
How to Participate
The City of Philadelphia Hazard Mitigation website has more information on ways you can participate in the 2025 HMP Update.
What is your role?
Community Members:
- Participate in the HMP update process.
- Provide input through surveys, meetings, and draft review to inform the development of the HMP.
- Share knowledge about hazards in your community.
- Identify potential projects to help mitigate hazards.
Private Sector:
- Participate in the HMP update process.
- Provide input through surveys, meetings, and draft review to inform the development of the HMP.
- Share knowledge about hazards in your community.
- Learn about how hazards can affect your business.
- Identify funding and partnership opportunities to implement mitigation projects.
- Work across government and public sectors to build a more resilient community.
- Government Agencies
- Participate in the HMP update by engaging with advisory teams.
- Provide input through surveys, meetings, and draft review to inform the development of the HMP.
- Provide best available data to identify and analyze hazard risks.
- Review policies, programs, and projects for opportunities to integrate hazard mitigation.
- Identify funding and partnership opportunities to implement mitigation.
- Serve as a lead or support agency to implement mitigation projects.
Meeting Calendar
Meeting | Date/Time | Presentation Materials | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
East Falls Farmers Market | Date: Saturday, December 14th, 2024 Time: 11:00 AM- 1:00 PM | 4100 Ridge Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19129 | |
READYHome- Casarez Elementary School | Date: Tuesday, March 4th, 2025 Time: 8:30 AM- 10:00AM | 800 E Ontario St., Philadelphia, PA, 19134 | |
In-Person Public Review Meeting | Date: Monday, March 10th, 2025 Time: 6:00 PM- 9:00 PM | Skyline Room, Parkway Central Library, 1901 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102 | |
Virtual Public Review Meeting | Date: Tuesday, March 11th, 2025 Time: 6:00 PM- 9:00 PM | Zoom, RSVP Required | |
Penn Health Community Event | Date: Wednesday, March 12th, 2025 Time: 9:30 AM- 12:30 PM | Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine, 3400 Civic Center Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19104 | |
PMBC Block Captain Rally | Date: Wednesday, March 19th, 2025 Time: 10:30 AM -12:30 AM | Pennsylvania Convention Center, 1101 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA 19107 |
This calendar is updated regularly, check back for updates!
