State Hazard Mitigation Plan

2023 State Hazard Mitigation Plan Update

The draft 2023 State Hazard Mitigation Plan (SHMP) update was available for public review and comment until Friday, September 15th. Please find the links to the draft documents and feedback form below.

Draft 2023 State Hazard Mitigation Plan

Feedback Form (closed)

You can still contact Stephanie Smith, State Hazard Mitigation Officer, and Caroline Paske, State Hazard Mitigation Planner (stephanie.a.smith@vermont.gov; caroline.paske@vermont.gov) with questions.
Look for updates on plan implementation later this year.

Due to severe flooding the 2023 Draft SHMP Public Webinar on July 12th from 9 - 10:30am was CANCELED.

Vermont's State Hazard Mitigation Plan (SHMP or Plan) identifies natural hazards that affect Vermont, assesses risk and vulnerability to these hazards, and identifies top priority mitigation actions at the State level to remove vulnerability and create a more resilient Vermont. The Plan must be updated and submitted by Vermont Emergency Management (VEM) to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for approval every five years. Updating the Plan is required in order for Vermont to remain eligible to receive FEMA funding following disasters.

The Plan was last updated and approved in 2018, and a new, updated Plan is due to be completed in 2023. The 2023 SHMP is due for review by FEMA in fall 2023 and needs to be approved no later than November 2023. The 2023 SHMP update process is currently underway. Below is a visual representation of the stakeholder and public engagement activities planned for the 2023 Plan update process.

Stakeholder Engagement:

Stakeholders met throughout April and May 2023 to help develop a strategy to mitigate the impacts of natural hazards on Vermont’s communities and adapt to climate change.

Steering Committee: 

The State Hazard Mitigation Plan Steering Committee is responsible for the high-level decision-making and steering of the SHMP update process, including cross-sector coordination and guidance.

Contact Us!

Contact Caroline Paske at Caroline.Paske@Vermont.gov with any questions regarding the SHMP update or use our feedback form under Stakeholder Engagement.

2018 State Hazard Mitigation Plan - FEMA Approval: November 17, 2018 

2018 State Hazard Mitigation Plan - Executive Summary 

2018 State Hazard Mitigation Plan - Full Plan 

2018 State Hazard Mitigation Plan by Section: 

• Section 1: Executive Summary 
• Section 2: Planning Process 
• Section 3: State & Local Capabilities 
  • State & Local Capabilities List 
• Section 4: Vermont Profile & Hazard Assessment 
  • 4-1: Inundation Flooding & Fluvial Erosion 
  • 4-2: Snow Storm & Ice Storm 
  • 4-3: Wind 
  • 4-4: Extreme Cold 
  • 4-5: Extreme Heat
  • 4-6: Drought 
  • 4-7: Landslides 
  • 4-8: Wildfire
  • 4-9: Earthquake
  • 4-10: Invasive Species 
  • 4-11: Infectious Disease 
  • 4-12: Hail
• Section 5: Mitigation Strategy 
• Section 6: Maintenance & Implementation 
• Appendix to Section 1: Authority & Adoption 
• Appendix to Section 3: State & Local Capabilities Supplemental 
• Appendix to Section 4: Vermont Disaster History by Event Type; Vermont Owned Buildings & Replacement Costs 
• Appendix to Section 5: 2018 Status of 2013 Actions 

If you have any questions on the plan, please reach out to Stephanie A. Smith, stephanie.a.smith@vermont.gov or (802) 241-5362. 

• VISION: Vermont will be safe and resilient in the face of climate change and natural disasters.  
• MISSION: To protect life, property, natural resources and quality of life in Vermont by reducing our vulnerability to climate change and natural disasters.  
• GOALS: 
  • Protect, restore and enhance Vermont’s natural resources to promote healthy, resilient ecosystems.  
  • Enhance the resilience of our built environment - our communities, infrastructure, buildings, and cultural assets. 
  • Develop and implement plans and policies that create resilient natural systems, built environments and communities. 
  • Create a common understanding of – and coordinated approach to – mitigation planning and action. 

Vermont's State Hazard Mitigation Plan identifies natural hazards that affect Vermont, assesses risk and vulnerability to these hazards, and identifies top priority mitigation actions at the State level to remove vulnerability and create a more resilient Vermont.