The 2019 Indiana Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan lays the framework for accomplishing one of the Indiana Department of Homeland Security’s top 2019-2020 strategic priorities of expanding mitigation and resiliency in the State of Indiana. The plan takes into account the expansion of statewide collaboration and planning; safety promotion; the implementation of a statewide mitigation strategy; and the strengthening of partnerships that impact resiliency. The plan highlights some of Indiana’s best practices in mitigation, including:

• Projects for the acquisition and demolition of flood prone properties
• The construction of residential and community safe rooms to protect citizens during severe weather
• Collaboration between multiple federal, state, and local agencies and other partners to develop solutions to natural hazard issues
• Planning efforts across the State to assess natural hazard risks, identify mitigation opportunities, and help build the resiliency of communities, and the State

There have been significant changes to this plan since the last version was adopted in 2014. Some of these changes include:

• Future climate trends in Indiana are discussed in the State Profile section. Projections indicate that the State could see an increase in precipitation (6-8%) by mid-century. This will increase the flooding risk in communities throughout the State. There is also projected to be an increase in extreme temperature events (hot and cold). New research is indicating that the most frequent area of tornado activity nationwide (Tornado Alley) is starting to shift eastward due to these precipitation and temperature changes. This shift would bring more frequent severe storms and/or tornadoes to the State.
• Earthquakes – A major update of the earthquake hazard section emphasizes that the threat of earthquakes is not confined to only southwestern Indiana. The entire State needs to be prepared for an earthquake, and five new scenarios in this plan update show the projected effects of an earthquake in various parts of the State.
• New Mitigation Strategies – In collaboration with 63 subject matter experts, seven State agencies, State universities, and other national partners, 91 strategies to help mitigate the risk from natural hazards and build the resiliency of the State have been identified in this plan update. These strategies are all described in section 9 of the plan.

All data and analyses in the plan were updated for 2019 using the most recent version of FEMA’s Hazus-MH Risk Assessment software, along with other GIS analyses, and updated information from all 92 counties. The 2019 Indiana Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan was developed in collaboration with government, academic, and other private partners for the purpose of preventing, protecting against, responding to, and recovering from natural disasters that may threaten the State’s citizens, infrastructure, and economy.

The federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 provides the legal basis for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) mitigation planning requirements for state, local, and tribal governments as a condition of federal grant assistance. Indiana must have a FEMA approved State Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan to remain eligible to receive federal assistance through the following programs:

• Public Assistance (Categories C-G)
• Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP)
• Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant Program (PDM)
• Flood Mitigation Assistance Grant Program (FMA)
• Fire Management Assistance Grants (FMAG)

Since 2008, Indiana has received almost $50,000,000 in mitigation grant funding through these programs.

The Indiana Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan and the Indiana Department of Homeland Security’s planning process comply with all applicable Federal statutes and regulations, and the State will amend the plan as necessary to reflect changes in State and Federal laws and statutes as required in 44 CFR 201.1 – 7.