HLSC 600 Discussion 7
Mitigation is a term that refers to “a set of strategies to reduce future risks” (Phillips et
al., 2016, p. 117). Generally speaking, mitigation efforts are aimed at helping increase
community resiliency in order to better endure the variety of hazards that are possible. There are
two primary forms of mitigation made up of those which are structural in nature and those that
are non-structural. Disasters such as hurricanes have taught us over the years about the value of
making structural mitigation improvements through the construction of levees near flood prone
areas or floodwalls along the coast. In tornado alley, storm cellars are a common structural
mitigation effort that save lives every year. After storms and other hazards have occurred, non-
structural mitigation measures have been put in place such as the implementation of strict
building codes on the Gulf Coast to allow new homes to better endure the high winds associated
with hurricanes. “The goal of mitigation is to increase public safety from individual homes to
entire communities” (Phillips et al., 2016, p. 117).
Communities will always be faced with potential adverse events and hazards, but their
resilience comes from their ability to prepare and plan for, absorb, recover from, and more
successfully adapt (Cutter et al., 2013)
Hurricane
Structural Non-Structural
Stronger roof shingles Building Code Enforcement
Structure Relocation Evacuation Plans / Practice
Installation of storm shutters Education and Outreach
Tornado
Structural Non-Structural
Tornado Cellars / Safe Rooms Improved Building Codes
Window Shutters Evacuation Education / Routes
Re-enforcement of doors / windows Development of local grant program
Flooding
Structural Non-Structural
Construction of Levees / Dams Re-zoning flood prone areas
Improving drainage infrastructure Requiring Flood Insurance
Elevation of homes and buildings Promote Community Awareness
The Bible speaks about being ready to for the risks that lie ahead and one of the most
famous stories is that of Noah. “By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet,
moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the
world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith” (King James Bible, 1769/2017,
Hebrews 11:7). Noah knew a storm was coming so he took mitigation efforts to ensure he would
endure the flood along with all the animals he gathered.
References
Cutter, S. L., Ahearn, J. A., Amadei, B., Crawford, P., Eide, E. A., Galloway, G. E., ... &
Zoback, M. L. (2013). Disaster resilience: A national imperative. Environment: Science
and Policy for Sustainable Development, 55(2), 25-29.
https://doi.org/10.1080/00139157.2013.768076
King James Bible. (2017). King James Bible Online. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org
(Original work published 1769)
Phillips, B. D., Neal, D. M., & Webb, G. R. (2016). Introduction to Emergency Management
(2nd Edition). Taylor & Francis.
https://mbsdirect.vitalsource.com/books/9781315394688
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