The City of Beaverton developed and maintains this Natural Hazard Mitigation Action Plan in an effort to reduce future loss of life and property resulting from natural disasters. It is impossible to predict exactly when these disasters will occur, or the extent to which they will affect the city. However, with careful planning and collaboration among public agencies, private sector organizations, and citizens within the community, it is possible to minimize the losses that can result from natural disasters. 

What is “Natural Hazard Mitigation?” 

Natural hazard mitigation is defined as a method permanently reducing or alleviating the losses of life, property, and injuries resulting from natural hazards through long and short-term strategies. Example strategies include planning, policy changes, programs, projects, and other activities. Natural hazard mitigation is the responsibility of individuals, private businesses and industries, state and local governments, and the federal government. 

Why Have a Mitigation Plan?

Federal law requires that the city identify a comprehensive set of mitigation measures related to local natural hazards. An additional stipulation is that to receive pre- and post- disaster mitigation funds from FEMA, local governments must have a current, FEMA approved NHMP. NHMPs must be updated and re- approved every five years. A 2018 revision of the plan is currently underway.

These requirements were established when Congress passed and the President signed the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000, commonly known as DMA 2000. Under DMA 2000 and the associated rules published in 44 CFR Part 201.6, communities, states, and tribal governments must have FEMA-approved natural hazard mitigation plans to be eligible for certain federal assistance programs such as the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP).

A Collaborative Effort (PLEASE TAKE TIME TO TAKE OUR SURVEY) 

To ensure the plan remains current and relevant it is currently under review and update. We would like to continue the collaborative effort that went into the original plan and invite Beaverton residents and businesses to provide information through the Mitigation and Preparedness Survey, which will assist us during the review process. You can also provide us with any general comments relative to the plan by email to the city’s emergency manager. 

What are the City’s Overall Risks to Natural Hazards?

The City of Beaverton’s Emergency Management Program reviews and updates the risk assessment regularly to evaluate the probability of each natural hazard as well as the vulnerability of the community to those hazards. Scores are based on the City’s Hazard Analysis that is submitted to the Oregon Office of Emergency Management as part of the update cycle of the City’s Emergency Operations Plan. The table below summarizes hazard probability and vulnerability of the top 7 natural hazards that may impact Beaverton, as determined by the hazard methodology develop by FEMA and refined by Oregon Office of Emergency Management. These are the 7 natural hazards that are addressed in the 2018 revision of the mitigation plan.