At its core, mitigation planning helps communities develop a strategy to reduce natural hazard risk. To do that, the plan must identify risks, impacts and vulnerabilities. This risk assessment provides the factual basis for activities proposed in the mitigation strategy. The hazards and impacts in the risk assessment should be the hazards and impacts you act on in the mitigation strategy.
Task 4 explains how to conduct a local risk assessment. How you do your risk assessment is up to you, as long as the information meets the requirements and is accurate, current and relevant. The approach you pick may depend on the data, technology and resources that are available. However you assess your risks and vulnerabilities, use both data and local knowledge. Input from the local community and stakeholders can supplement data to show a complete picture of risk, even if it is based on lived experiences.
The process of assessing risks and vulnerabilities can be tied to other planning initiatives. You can use it to set up priorities for preparedness and response, land use planning or other community decision making.