Natural disasters can cause loss of life, inflict damage to buildings and infrastructure, and have devastating consequences for a community’s economic, social, and environmental well-being.  Hazard mitigation means reducing damages from disasters. Local governments have the responsibility to protect the health, safety, and welfare of their citizens.  Proactive mitigation policies and actions help reduce risk and create safer, more disaster-resilient communities.  Mitigation is an investment in your community’s future safety, equity, and sustainability.

The University of Kentucky’s Hazard Mitigation Plan was approved March 10, 2016 and will keep the University in compliance with federal hazard mitigation planning standards resulting from the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000, as contained in 44 CFR 201.6.  The current plan is approved for a period of five years, until March 9, 2021.  As a result, the University is an eligible applicant for state and federal funds for mitigation and disaster assistance grant programs administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).