Local Hazard Mitigation Plan

Flooding

What is a Local Hazard Mitigation Plan?

A Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) identifies potential local natural hazards and then identifies and prioritizes vulnerable areas in the local community. The purpose of an LHMP is to help communities be prepared in case of natural disasters and other hazards, as well as to prepare for the recovery after such events. An LHMP can help protect the public and City infrastructures and it allows cities to apply for the California Office of Emergency Services and Federal Emergency Management grants.

Our Local Hazard Mitigation Plan

Our plan has been submitted to the California Office of Emergency Services for review and to FEMA for final approval. When approved, The City of Watsonville will apply for CRS credits which may help lower some of our residents’ flood insurance premiums.

Assembly Bill 2140 (Hancock, 2006) authorizes local governments to adopt their LHMPs with the safety elements of their general plans (Gov. Code § 65302.6). Integration or incorporation by reference is encouraged through a post-disaster financial incentive that authorizes the state to use available California Disaster Assistance Act funds to cover local shares of the 25% non-federal portion of grant-funded post-disaster projects when approved by the legislature (Gov. Code § 8685.9). 

AB 2140 is one of the most important links between general plans and hazard mitigation in California. Adopting the LHMP with the safety element provides a vehicle for implementation of the LHMP. This integration allows hazard mitigation strategies to be implemented and local hazard awareness to be upgraded and enhanced. 

LHMP Planning Meetings Agendas and Information

Meeting Documents

City of Watsonville Local Hazard Mitigation Plan

  1. City of Watsonville Local Hazard Mitigation Plan

October 14, 2019 Meeting

  1. 10.14.19 Agenda LHMP Public Meeting
  2. 10.14.19 1_Planning Committee Meeting Minutes
  3. 10.14.19 LHMP Powerpoint Presentation

November 14, 2019 Meeting

  1. 11.14.19 Agenda LHMP Public Meeting
  2. 11.14.19 Power Point Presentation
  3. 11.14.19 DRAFT City of Watsonville Critical Facilities List
  4. 11.14.19 Hazard Identification Worksheet

January 16, 2020

  1. 01.16.20 Meeting Minutes

February 20, 2020

  1. 02.20.20 Agenda LHMP Public Meeting

August 10, 2020

Rules and Planning Documents

Meeting Goals and Rules

  1. City of Watsonville LHMP Planning Committee Ground Rules
  2. 4_DRAFT City of Watsonville LHMP Goals and Objectives

The 2018 California State Hazard Mitigation Plan (SHMP) represents the state’s primary hazard mitigation guidance document and is composed of comprehensive and valuable input provided by State Hazard Mitigation Team members and stakeholders.

  1. State Hazard Mitigation Plan
  2. SCC Local Hazard Mitigation Plan 2015-2020
  3. SC County Disaster History

The Pajaro River Watershed Integrated Regional Water Management Plan (IRWM) effort is a collaborative effort to identify and implement regional and mutli-beneficial projects for the Pajaro River Watershed.

  1. Santa Cruz Integrated Regional Water Management Plan 2014

Draft Plan & Draft Appendices

  1. 00_Public Review Draft Watsonville LHMP
  2. 00_Public Review Draft Watsonville LHMP_Appendices

If you have any questions or would like to forward comments, you can do so at the following address: lhmp@cityofwatsonville.org .