For us, mitigation is the foundation that we've built our company on. To H2O, good mitigation strategies just make sense. So we have assembled a team of national experts in hazard mitigation planning, mitigation grant development and management, mitigation training, and floodplain management and administration at the local, state, and national levels. We are proud to have worked with a diverse set of clients including cities, counties, school and hospital systems, universities, councils of government, river authorities, state-level departments, federal entities and other unique stakeholder groups nationwide. >> HOW CAN WE HELP?
H2O has defined and developed more than 500 unique mitigation strategies for our clients since our work began in 2001.
FEMA Mitigation Grants
H2O develops grant applications, manages grant-funded programs, and provides technical expertise for projects funded through FEMA’s mitigation programs. Our portfolio includes experience with non-structural and structural projects as diverse as community safe rooms, massive buy-outs/acquisitions in storm-damaged areas, and community training and communication efforts.
Mitigation Plans and Updates
H2O writes mitigation plans and plan updates for local communities and special districts. We have written plans that cover more than 950 jurisdictions in the U.S. and we boast a 100% success rate with obtaining FEMA approval. We complete all of our mitigation plans on time and in accordance with the original deadlines we set. H2O was behind the development of the first multi-jurisdictional plan update approved by the State of Texas.
FEMA HMTAP Teams
H2O is a member of multiple FEMA Hazard Mitigation Technical Assistance Program (HMTAP) teams, and has assisted FEMA in the development of hazard mitigation grant applications for Hurricane Harvey, DR-4332. This experience provides H2O with well-rounded expertise on post-disaster mitigation by giving us the federal, state, and local perspectives.
Community Technical Assistance
We understand that mitigation and recovery both start at the local level, and we’re happy to share our knowledge with any community, large or small. H2O has provided assistance to more than 75 communities regarding local compliance regulations, permitting new construction in flood-prone areas, flood insurance requirements, flood ordinance development, and recordkeeping.
H2O has a 100% success rate in obtaining FEMA approval and completing all mitigation plans and plan updates in accordance with their original deadline.
The H2O Experience
At H2O, we understand that truly successful mitigation must be based on real risks and proven ways to address that risk — ways that everyone in a community can get behind. Our process is designed to capture what you really need in a mitigation strategy and to leverage as many resources as possible to get there effectively and efficiently.
Clients of All Shapes and Sizes
H2O believes that everyone can benefit from good mitigation plans that are followed by sound mitigation actions. We take clients of all shapes and sizes, from major multi-jurisdictional plans —like the WCTCOG Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan with 81 jurisdictions — to small counties, big cities, hospitals, schools, river authorities... You name it! We have something great to offer to everyone.
All You Need, Under One Roof
H2O’s team has decades of collective expertise in planning, mapping, vulnerability and risk assessment, floodplain management, grant writing and administration, and environmental and historical compliance. With such diverse staff, we are able to tackle all of the opportunities available in any mitigation area and handle everything from writing plans and creating applications to completing site inspections, maintaining records, and closing out projects.
Completely Customized
All too often, mitigation consultants offer cookie-cutter ideas designed to meet only the basic criteria of a grant or project. At H2O, we understand that every place, every risk, and every project is unique. We’ll work to address REAL needs of communities, interact with ALL stakeholders, and mitigate ACTUAL risk. Our goal is the TRUE mitigation of disasters and their impacts on our beloved communities.
Full Stakeholder Engagement
Our team understands that any plan or application can affect a number of different community groups and stakeholders. Our stakeholder engagement practices ensure that everyone has a seat at the table, and our diverse experience allows us to consider creative, functional ideas to meet the needs of every stakeholder group — big or small.
Our customers say:
H2O @ Work: A Great Mitigation Plan and A Safe Room for our Schools
H2O’s breadth and depth of experience allows us to help communities not only plan, but actually take action to mitigate hazards in their area. We work with our clients from the very first inkling of mitigation planning all the way through both the plan writing and application processes to ensure that they can get money not just to plan but also to fund the projects outlined in that plan.
H2O’s commitment to mitigation can be seen in the plan we developed for the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority, or GBRA. This plan covered 28 jurisdictions and had many participants involved in its development including communities, school districts, and drainage districts.
H2O was not only able to complete planning for the GBRA, but, based on this planning effort, H2O was also able to develop a subsequent safe-room project for the Woodsboro ISD – a plan participant.
This project gave the school district $2,000,000 in FEMA funding to build a safe room and tornado shelter. Used as a gymnasium during times of calm, the school district not only has a new asset, but now has a place for the entire community to use in the event of a tornado or other disaster. This project is an excellent demonstration of how mitigation planning and grant applications can be done in harmony. >> LEARN MORE ABOUT H2O'S MITIGATION CAPABILITIES