What is the difference between a natural hazard and a technological hazard?
Technological hazards result from actions or facilities created by people, while natural hazards exist because of the natural environment in which a community is located. Technological hazards typically include civil disturbances, dam failure, hazardous materials, pipelines, radiological, terrorism, and transportation. Natural hazards typically include floods, landslides, wildfires, severe winter storms, windstorms, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Why is it important to develop a Hazard Mitigation Plan? The federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 requires the development of a Hazard Mitigation Plan as a condition of receiving mitigation funds should a disaster occur. If a community identifies projects that can be implemented prior to a disaster and that can mitigate the potential impacts of a hazard, the community may apply for funding to implement the proposed mitigation alternative. To be eligible for implementation funding, Washington state communities must have Hazard Mitigatio
