Lincoln, US: Natural hazard mitigation plan - Strategy for reducing risks from natural hazards
This plan serves as a blueprint for coordinating and implementing mitigation programs and projects. It provides a list of hazards that are of concern to the Town of Lincoln, mitigation goals, and related actions. Hazard mitigation planning is a process in which hazards are identified and profiled, people and facilities at risk are assessed for threat and vulnerability then mitigation actions are developed. The result of the process is an integrated and coordinated effort to mitigate hazards. The expected outcome of all actions of the Town of Lincoln’s 2015 Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Update (HMP) is to lessen the impact of damage caused by natural hazards to life, the economy, infrastructure or our ability to continue to operate as a community and town. The purpose of the 2015 HMP Update is to document these actions and determine priorities and implementation efforts.
Specifically, the Lincoln HMP Committee’s planning process consisted of several elements: the utilization of the expertise of eight different departments, the review of existing data and research into the history of hazard events in Lincoln. The public was invited to participate in the planning process though the Town of Lincoln’s website and at public meetings of the Lincoln Town Council. The process was implemented by the Lincoln HMP Committee, which set out to: identify and profile natural hazards; assess vulnerability; set local hazard mitigation goals and strategy; and plan for future maintenance of the Lincoln Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan.
The 2015 update to the 2005 HMP, identifies eight natural hazards and 23 mitigation action items. Each action item is listed under an identified vulnerable area. The natural hazards that this plan will address over the next five years are (listed in order of impact and then frequency of occurrence):
- Hurricane
- Heavy Rains / Flooding
- Nor’easter
- Snowstorm
- Hail
- Wind Event
- Lightning
- Earthquake
- Wildfire