The City of San Angelo and Tom Green County are developing a new Hazard Mitigation Action Plan to reduce risks from both natural and human-caused disasters — a process officials say is essential for protecting residents and securing future federal funding.
The goal of the plan is to minimize or avoid long-term risks to human life and property through proactive mitigation efforts. In accordance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the plan will be prepared as a stand-alone document reflecting conditions that impact the entire countywide area.
Emergency Management Coordinator Jose Rivera said the updated plan will use 2025 data and expand its focus to include additional potential threats.
“We’ve added additional things that we want researched and looked at,” Rivera said. “The typical wildfire, flood, tornado — we see those — but here’s some other things that we are going to begin looking into: man-made disasters.”
Examples of man-made disasters include water contamination, technological failures, infiltration of information systems and terrorist activity.
San Angelo’s current plan was last updated in 2020, and federal regulations require that hazard mitigation plans be updated every five years to maintain eligibility for federal funding.
A FEMA-approved plan is required for local governments to remain eligible for funding through FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Assistance Programs, including the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, Flood Mitigation Assistance Program, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Post-Fire, and the High Hazard Potential Dam Program.
Funds from these programs can be awarded directly to the city or county to carry out mitigation projects identified in the plan, such as infrastructure improvements, drainage upgrades, or public safety enhancements.
Having an updated plan also ensures San Angelo and Tom Green County qualify for federal and state disaster relief funding when emergencies occur.
To assist with development, the City of San Angelo’s Office of Emergency Management has contracted H2O Partners, a consulting firm specializing in hazard mitigation planning.
On Oct. 22, a public meeting was held to discuss the plan’s development, giving residents and stakeholders the opportunity to attend, provide feedback, and ask questions.
Breaking Down the Planning Process
H2O Partners Hazard Mitigation Specialist Krystian Cole, who led the discussion, said the plan is being developed in phases to identify risks, assess capabilities and create strategies for improvement.
The consulting team will evaluate the city and county’s ability to implement mitigation projects by reviewing local programs, technical skills, and available resources. This includes examining land use plans, flood mitigation plans, emergency response procedures, ordinances, building codes, and capital improvement projects.
The goal is to identify any gaps or conflicts that could increase vulnerability while also recognizing successful practices that should be continued or strengthened.
Officials will then gather and analyze local historical data on natural disasters — including floods, wildfires, droughts and severe storms — to understand how these events have affected the community. Critical facilities such as hospitals, fire and police stations, schools, wastewater plants and nursing homes will also be assessed for vulnerability.
Using findings from these assessments, the planning team will draft a comprehensive Mitigation Strategy that includes actions and projects grouped into four main categories:
- Structural projects (such as drainage improvements or safe rooms)
- Natural resource protection strategies
- Updates to local plans and regulations
- Public education and outreach initiatives
Once the draft plan is completed, it will be reviewed by planning team members and submitted to the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) for approval. After TDEM’s review, the plan will go to FEMA for final approval.
Rivera said the estimated timeline for FEMA approval is about a year and a half, meaning the plan could be finalized around July 2027.
For residents, the plan plays a crucial role in how the community prepares for and recovers from disasters. A current, FEMA-approved hazard mitigation plan ensures that San Angelo and Tom Green County can strengthen infrastructure, improve drainage systems, and reduce long-term risks to homes, schools and businesses.
According to Cole, public participation is a key part of the planning process. Residents are encouraged to share feedback and suggestions by completing an online survey available at tinyurl.com/SanAngeloHMAP.
