FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program

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FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) provides grants to state and local government groups to implement long-term hazard mitigation measures. HMGP funding was made available following Hurricane Ike which hit the Texas coast in 2009 causing environmental, economic and social damage to the area.

Successful mitigation activities are based on careful assessment of potential occurrences during a natural disaster such as drought. The State of Texas understands the consequences of drought. The drought of 1988 was the most costly weather event in the history of the United States. Losses in agriculture contributed to the cost of approximately $40 billion.

The Integrated Drought Information System (IDIS) project collaborates with the National Weather Service to:

1. Create a robust information system for decision makers, researchers and the general public about water levels causing potential safety issues.
2. Expand a successful pilot project which was conducted for the Upper Trinity Basin to a state-wide system.
3. Identify accessibility to water bodies through public ramps at different drought levels.
4. Establish “alerts” for emergency management teams when established thresholds are met.
5. Refine and improve drought mitigation tools to function as public information mechanisms.

The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2012.

For additional information, contact the Principal Investigator, Miguel Pavon at (512) 463-8399 or Miguel.Pavon@twdb.state.tx.us.