Hazard Mitigation is any action taken to reduce or eliminate long term risk to people and property from natural disasters. Hazard Mitigation planning is a process used by State and local governments to identify risks and vulnerabilities associated with natural disasters and develop mitigation strategies to reduce or eliminate long term risks. Examples of Hazard Mitigation projects funded by FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Assistance grant programs may include, but are not limited to buy-outs, elevations and safe rooms.

Shelter Rebate Program

The Shelter Rebate Program ended in 2016. The Arkansas Division of Emergency Management previously provided a rebate to homeowners that installed a tornado shelter/safe room at their residence. ADEM does not offer any state or federal financial assistance for the installation of individual shelters. The FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) and Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Grant Program are not available for individual shelters.

Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC)

The Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program makes federal funds available to states, U.S territories, federally recognized tribal governments, and local communities for hazard mitigation activities. It does so with a recognition of the growing hazards associated with climate change and of the need for natural hazard risk mitigation activities that promote climate adaptation and resilience with respect to those hazards. The program is nationally competitive and available on an annual basis.

The BRIC program aims to categorically shift the federal focus away from reactive disaster spending and toward research-supported, proactive investment in community resilience. Examples of BRIC projects are ones that demonstrate innovative approaches to partnerships, such as shared funding mechanisms, and/or project design. For example, an innovative project may bring multiple funding sources or in-kind resources from a range of private and public sector stakeholders or offer multiple benefits to a community in addition to the benefit of risk reduction.

Projects must:

• Be cost-effective
• Reduce or eliminate risk and damage from future natural hazards
• Meet either of the two latest published editions of relevant consensus-based codes, specifications and standards
• Align with the applicable hazard mitigation plan
• Meet all environmental and historic preservation (EHP) requirements

Click here for more information on BRIC

Hazard Mitigation Grant Program

The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) is authorized by Section 404 of the Stafford Act, 42 U.S.C. 5170c. The key purpose of HMGP is to ensure that the opportunity to take critical mitigation measures to reduce the risk of loss of life and property from future disasters is not lost during the reconstruction process following a disaster.

HMGP funding is available, when authorized under a Presidential major disaster declaration, in the areas of the State requested by the Governor. Federally-recognized tribes may also submit a request for a Presidential major disaster declaration within their impacted areas (see http://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/85146). The amount of HMGP funding available to the Applicant is based on the estimated total Federal assistance, subject to the sliding scale formula outlined in Title 44 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Section 206.432(b) that FEMA provides for disaster recovery under Presidential major disaster declarations. The formula provides for up to 15 percent of the first $2 billion of estimated aggregate amounts of disaster assistance, up to 10 percent for amounts between $2 billion and $10 billion, and up to 7.5 percent for amounts between $10 billion and $35.333 billion. For States with enhanced plans, the eligible assistance is up to 20 percent for estimated aggregate amounts of disaster assistance not to exceed $35.333 billion.

The Period of Performance (POP) for HMGP begins with the opening of the application period and ends no later than 36 months from the close of the application period.

State of Arkansas Hazard Mitigation Grant Program

The Arkansas Hazard Mitigation Grant Program will begin accepting Notices of Intent (NOI’s) May 26, 2026 through June 15, 2026, for the State Fiscal year (FY2027). The goal of the program is to assist local jurisdictions that have suffered repetitive disaster losses. This program will fund permanent long-term solutions to repetitive problems. Costs incurred before the award date will not be eligible for reimbursement. 

Cost Share
The grant has a 75/25 match where the state reimburses 75% of the project cost to the local jurisdiction up to $300,000.00. The remaining project cost must come from local funds. 

Eligible Projects 
Eligible project examples include but are not limited to: replacing low water crossings and existing bridges with an elevated bridge, installing or upsizing culverts, warning sirens, critical infrastructure retrofits to reduce natural hazard risk, soil stabilization, generators for critical facilities, construction of retention and detention basins, earthquake shut-off valves, and other activities that reduce risk from natural hazards within the jurisdiction.

Ineligible Projects
Ineligible projects examples include but are not limited to: projects solely for the prevention of washouts, maintenance projects (i.e. culvert and ditch clean out, road resurfacing or repair, levee maintenance), projects located on private property, projects located on federally owned property, projects where work has already begun, and hazard mitigation plans.

If multiple NOIs are submitted, they should be numbered by their project priority. NOIs will then be evaluated and prioritized by ADEM personnel, and jurisdictions will be contacted if additional information is needed. If awarded, projects must be completed during FY2027, with an anticipated period of performance ending June 1, 2027. 

The NOI form is attached for your convenience. Please include pictures, GPS coordinates and a detail cost estimate along with your completed NOI and email to: [email protected] or mail to:

Arkansas Division of Emergency Management
Attn: Mitigation Branch
Building #9501
Camp Joseph T Robinson
North Little Rock, AR 72199

Hazard Mitigation NOI Form 2026

All NOI’s must be submitted by local governments or non-profit organizations. If the entity prefers submittal on their behalf, the NOI must be accompanied by an Authorized Agent letter stating they have permission to submit for the entity, or the NOI will not be accepted.

If you have questions, please contact the Mitigation Branch at 501-683-6700 or email [email protected].

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