​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Planning

Local Mitigati​on Strategy (LMS)

Local Mitigation Strategy

The Local Mitigation Strategy (LMS) is a unified, coordinated effort among County and municipal governments to reduce the county's vulnerability to the impacts of identified natural and man-made hazards. Among its primary missions, the Strategy serves as a basis for comprehensive mitigation planning, project identification and prioritization, and provides assistance to project sponsors in securing and allocating available federal, state, local, and other disaster mitigation assistance funds.

LMS projects cover a range of topics including major drainage improvement projects, hardening of public structures, Emergency Operation Center purchases, etc.

At any particular time, the LMS has approximately 100 community mitigation projects on its Prioritized Project List. While some of these projects may eventually be self-funded by sponsoring communities, many will require outside financial assistance in order to be completed. By virtue of being on the LMS Prioritized Project List, each project potentially qualifies for funding assistance consideration though a variety of mitigation assistance programs. Projects typically involve a combination of outside and local funding in line with matching guidelines established by the assistance program.

The LMS closely adheres to guidelines and criteria provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Florida Division of Emergency Management.

A Steering Committee made up of 15 representatives of county and municipal government, not-for-profit organizations, and the private sector serves as the policy body to advise and assist in the administration and oversight of LMS activities and initiatives. A Flood Mitigation Technical Advisory Committee comprised of public and private sector engineers and other flood experts, is charged with assessing flood risks and developing strategies and projects to reduce future losses. The committee focuses on flood basins without regard to jurisdictional boundaries and involves community interests as project recommendations are developed.

A seven (7) person Evaluation Panel comprised of combination of LMS Steering Committee members and community agency representatives is charged with reviewing and scoring projects as a basis for prioritization.

A Subcommittee of the LMS serves as the outreach, education, and mutual assistance arm of the Community Rating System focusing on flood awareness and education.

The Mitigation Coordinator in the Planning Section of Palm Beach County Division of Emergency Management provides administrative and technical support to the LMS and serves as the primary liaison with state and federal offices on LMS matters.

The LMS Steering Committee meets quarterly to adopt updated prioritized project lists, discuss relevant mitigation issues, and plan and evaluate community initiatives and strategies. These meetings are open to the public. Schedules, agendas, and meeting summaries can be obtained by calling 561-712-6481.

The Palm Beach County LMS Working Group and sub-committees are coordinated by the Palm Beach County Department of Public Safety's Division of Emergency Management. The LMS Working Group is comprised of county, municipal, private sector, and community partners, including the general public that prepare and promote local strategies and projects to reduce long-term risks to life and property from natural, technological, and human caused disasters. The resulting pre and post disaster mitigation strategies and projects are supported by a variety of state and federal programs and funding sources, in accordance with the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000.

Mitigation projects carried on the LMS Prioritized Project List (PPL) may be eligible for funding under a variety of programs such as the Pre Disaster Mitigation (PDM) Program, Public Assistance (PA), Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) Program, and Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). The PPL is updated at least twice a year in anticipation of funding opportunities. 

LMS Working Group meetings serve as the primary mechanism and forum for exchanging information, planning implementation of updating the Palm Beach County Local Mitigation Strategy, and mobilizing the vast experience and resources of the community. Public attendance and comments are welcomed and encouraged.


LMS Corner:


LMS Times

2024 Winter LMS Times

2023 Fall LMS Times - Revised

2023 Summer LMS Times

​​​LMS Project Submission

2023 Fall Prioritized Project List (PPL)

LMS Scoring Form

LMS Project Submission Guidance

LMS Project Sumbission Guidance PowerPoint

 Working Group Meeting Minutes

LMS Working Group Minutes March 2024

LMS Working Group Minutes December 2023

LMS Working Group Minutes September 2023

LMS Working Group Minutes June 2023

​​LMS Working Group Minutes Dec 2022​

LMS Working Group M​inutes Sept 2022

LMS Working Group Minutes Ju​ne 2022​​​

LMS Working Group Minutes March 2022

LMS Working Group Minutes Dec 2021

LMS Working Group Minutes Sept 2021

LMS Working Group Minutes June 2021

LMS Steering Committee Meeting Minutes

LMS Steering Committee Minutes Feb 2024

LMS Steering Committee Minutes October 2023

LMS Steering Committee Minutes August 2023

LMS Steering Committee Minutes May 2023

LMS Steering Committee Minutes Feb ​2​023

LMS Steering Committee Minutes Oct 2022

LMS Steering Committee Minutes August 2022

LMS Steering Committee Minutes May 2022

LMS Steering Committee Minutes Feb 2022​​

LMS Steering Committee Minutes Nov 2021

LMS Steering Committee Minutes ​Aug 2021​​

 Floodplain Management Planning Report

Floodplain Management Plan Activity 510 Report CY2022


Planning Directory:

PPL Website.JPG


2024 LMS Revision

Palm Beach County 2024 LMS  

​Final Draft for Public Review​

As part of the revision process, we are posting our FINAL DRAFT for public review.  

Public forum on the final draft will on March 13, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. at the 

Wellington Community Center
12150 Forest Hill Blvd
Wellington, FL 33414

Below are the links for the different sections.  


APPENDICES


​Email any comments or suggestions to PBC-LMS@pbcgov.org
LMS FD.JPG
 


​Flood Mitigation Assistance Program

The Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) Program is a mitigation initiative administered by FEMA through the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM).  The purpose is to help communities identify and implement measures to reduce or eliminate the long-term risk of flood damages.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency contributes up to 75% of eligible mitigation costs. The remaining 25% must come from non-federal sources.

Examples of flood mitigation projects that might qualify for FMA funding assistance include:
  • Elevation of flood prone structures
  • Relocation of flood prone structures
  • Demolition (with or without rebuilding at higher elevation)
  • Acquisition
  • Various flood proofing measures.

If you have been notified that your property is on the NFIP Repetitive Loss list you may qualify for financial assistance through the FMA program.  Please note, this grant takes approximately 18 months from application to funding award so it is not a quick fix for a previously identified problem.  Also, this grant can only be awarded to local governments, non-profits, and private non-profits (individual homeowners can not apply for this grant directly).  This means you must work with your municipality or a non-profit organization to ascertain if they will submit your project on your behalf, and you will be responsible for the full 25% non-Federal share of the project.  To find out more information on this program, contact the Mitigation Coordinator at the Division of Emergency Management 561-712-6481.

Click here for Flood Information

Click here for Community Rating System (CRS) Information