General Plan Safety Element / Hazard Mitigation Plan update
Humboldt County
Summary
The commission recommended folding the updated Hazard Mitigation Plan into the county's General Plan Safety Element — the paperwork that keeps Humboldt eligible for federal hazard-mitigation and disaster funding.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 7
- Last 30 days
- 2
Discussed at 2 meetings in the last 60 days; most recently Oct 15, 2026.
Impact analysis
No direct cost discussed; keeps the county in line for state and federal hazard-mitigation funding.
All county residents, through maintained access to disaster-preparedness and mitigation funding.
Overly conservative numbers could mean pricier construction and insurance complications for property owners in the planning area.
Mentions & discussions (8)
Planning Commission — October 15, 2026
The commission debated whether to plan for 4 feet ('intermediate') or 5.5 feet ('intermediate-high') of sea level rise by 2100. They landed on intermediate with a mandatory five-year review of the science, balancing development costs against long-term flood risk for King Salmon, Fields Landing, and low-lying areas.
Board of Supervisors — October 6, 2026
Supervisor Bohn got the board to fund a sub-$25,000 plan to restock and strategically place sandbags before winter storms hit flood-prone spots like King Salmon, Old Arcata Road and Ferndale. The road fund can't pay for private-property protection, so it'll be a general fund ask. Residents are urged to organize at the neighborhood level too.
Planning Commission — September 3, 2026
Commissioners split on whether the plan should use the intermediate or intermediate-high sea level rise projection for 2100 — a choice that determines how much land comes out of development and how expensive building becomes. Staff will bring comparison maps.
Planning Commission — August 6, 2026
The plan currently uses the highest sea level rise projection (3.5 feet by 2070), and commissioners debated whether that's too conservative — risking overbuilt infrastructure — or appropriately cautious given recent King Salmon flooding. Staff will bring more information and alternatives, plus a policy for regular updates and regional coordination with Eureka and other agencies.
Board of Supervisors — June 16, 2026
Incorporating the updated Hazard Mitigation Plan into the General Plan keeps the county eligible for higher federal disaster reimbursement; one commenter said tsunami-safe refuge sites in the McKinleyville/Fieldbrook area remain inaccessible.
Planning Commission — June 4, 2026
Commissioners added a condition requiring short-term rental guests be told about tsunami evacuation routes and their limited ADA accessibility, after a speaker flagged a non-ADA 'tsunami safe zone' sign at a Danco housing project.
Planning Commission — May 21, 2026
The commission recommended folding the updated Hazard Mitigation Plan into the county's General Plan Safety Element — the paperwork that keeps Humboldt eligible for federal hazard-mitigation and disaster funding.
California earthquake: Videos show extent of damage near Ferndale in Humboldt County after deadly 6.4 quake
California earthquake: Videos show extent of damage near Ferndale in Humboldt County after deadly 6.4 quake ABC7 Bay Area
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