Engaging, Geospatial Hazard Mitigation Plans for Minnesota
U-Spatial partners with Minnesota Homeland Security and Emergency Management to create interactive Hazard Mitigation Plans for counties, tribal nations, and the state. In addition to traditional written plans, we build interactive digital plans delivered through ArcGIS Hub sites — a first-in-the-nation approach that makes natural hazard data accessible, engaging, and actionable.
From Requirement to Resilience
The Federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 requires communities to maintain a Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) in order to qualify for FEMA hazard mitigation grant funding. For many counties, especially smaller ones with limited planning staff, the process of creating and updating these plans can be daunting — a complex exercise in risk assessment, stakeholder engagement, and long-range planning. Our data-focused plans allow us to scale our services for all communities, regardless of size or resources, to put powerful geospatial tools in the hands of community leaders and residents.
Natural hazard mitigation saves: researchers at the National Institute of Building Sciences looked at the results of 23 years of federally funded mitigation grants provided by FEMA, the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA), and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Their findings revealed that for every $1 spent on hazard mitigation funding in the nation, $6 is saved in future disaster costs.
How It Works
U-Spatial works directly with county emergency managers, planners, and local stakeholders to assess each community's unique hazard landscape — from flooding and severe storms to wildfire and drought.
The result is a comprehensive, interactive plan that brings together data, maps, and narrative into a single platform designed for broad understanding and public engagement. Communities can explore their risk profiles, compare hazard scenarios, and track progress on mitigation actions — all in an accessible online format.
Growing Statewide Impact
What started as a handful of county partnerships has grown into one of the largest university-led hazard mitigation initiatives in the country. U-Spatial has completed projects with 82 Minnesota counties and five tribal nations, with more partnerships actively underway. Our team also contributed to the Minnesota State Hazard Mitigation Plan, bringing university-level analytical rigor to a document that guides statewide resilience strategy.
The impact extends beyond planning. By making hazard data interactive and easily accessible, these plans become living documents — tools that communities return to when making decisions about infrastructure investment, land use, and emergency preparedness. They help break the cycle of disaster and reconstruction, building stronger and more resilient communities for the long term.
Hazard Mitigation by the Numbers
Serving 82 counties and 5 tribal nations, U-Spatial transforms local hazard mitigation into an accessible digital experience. Use the map below to explore the reach and impact of U-Spatial Hazard Mitigation Planning—simply select a jurisdiction to view its plan details, check expiration dates, or access its dedicated website: Explore the Hazard Mitigation Experience Map.
Meet the Experts
