Local Hazard Mitigation Plan

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) defines Hazard Mitigation as "any action taken to reduce or eliminate the long-term risk to human life and property from natural hazards". Another way to understand hazard mitigation is as the prevention component of the emergency management process. (see figure)

Sacramento County is partnering with the Cities of Sacramento, Citrus Heights, Elk Grove, Folsom, Galt, Isleton, Rancho Cordova and numerous special districts to update their countywide 2021 Multi-Jurisdictional Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP). Flood, drought, earthquake, and severe weather are just a few of the hazards of concern to Sacramento communities. While natural hazards such as these cannot be prevented, a Hazard Mitigation Plan forms the foundation for a community's long-term strategy to reduce disaster losses by breaking the repeated cycle of disaster damage and reconstruction. Communities with a FEMA-approved LHMP are eligible for FEMA pre- and post-disaster grant funding and for lower costs of flood insurance to residents through the National Flood Insurance Program's (NFIP) Community Rating System (CRS).

You can sign up to receive the latest LHMP information by email or text.

2021 LHMP (This is what we are updating)

Sacramento County 2021 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan

2026 LHMP Update

Sacramento County is kicking off their 2026 LHMP Update with meetings in December 2025. The 2026 LHMP will address an updated list of natural hazards and will assess the vulnerability of Sacramento County and all participating jurisdictions to identified hazards as part of an updated risk assessment. The 2026 LHMP will also establish updated goals and prioritize mitigation actions and projects to reduce the impacts of future disasters on people and property, critical facilities and infrastructure, and the environment, as well as to local economies in the Sacramento County planning area. For more information:

2026 LHMP Update (TBA)

Opportunities for Input

Members of the community have a very important role in this process. Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee (HMPC) and Public meetings will be held as part of the Plan development process. In addition to Plan participation by Sacramento County; Cities and Districts; and other local, state, and federal agencies and other stakeholders, the public is encouraged to attend and participate in our HMPC and Public meetings.

Information on specific meeting times and locations are detailed below.

Upcoming Meetings

TBA

A draft of the 2026 LHMP Update will also be available on this website in Fall, 2026 for review and comment by the public and all interested stakeholders.

Progress Reports

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) has been available in Sacramento County since 1979, allowing access to flood insurance for property owners, tenants, and businesses. In 1992, the County joined the NFIP's Community Rating System (CRS) (Resolution 92-0250). The CRS is a voluntary incentive-based program that recognizes and encourages communities to exceed the FEMA minimum floodplain management standards and rewards communities with discounted flood insurance premiums.

The CRS uses a ranking system from ten to one. Nationally, there are 1444 communities participating in CRS, the 2017 FEMA Fact Sheet describes the significance of Sacramento County's participation (Attachment 1). Since 1992, Sacramento County has steadily improved its rating and is now a Class 2 which provides property owners, tenants, and businesses up to a 40% discount on flood insurance premiums.

In order to maintain this Class 2 rating, Sacramento County is required to provide annual reporting on: