What is an LMS?
A Local Mitigation Strategy (LMS) is a plan developed by each county to reduce and or eliminate the risks associated with natural and man-made hazards. These plans must be in accordance with the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (DMA 2000). DMA 2000 is a mechanism for collaboration between state and local entities that encourages pre-disaster planning, recognizes need for mitigation, and designates funding for projects through Federal grant opportunities.
The LMS must be updated every five years to remain compliant with FEMA statutes. Without an approved LMS, a county will be unable to apply for many Federal grants. As of April 30, 2020, the Citrus County LMS update is approved by the Florida Division of Emergency Management pending adoption by the jurisdictions.
How is the LMS updated?
The LMS working group is responsible for completing the 5-year update of the LMS. This working group also updates the mitigation project list once a year. Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council staff provided technical assistance to Citrus and Hernando Counties to assist in their 5-year update for 2020.
For more information contact Cara Woods Serra, project manager, at cara@tbrpc.org.
