KEY TAKEAWAYS: Draft 2026 Hazard Mitigation Plan identifies risks and outlines resilience strategies for New Orleans. Developed with local agencies, universities, nonprofits, and residents through a collaborative process. Public comment period runs March 13 to April 13, 2026, allowing resident s to provide feedback online. Plan guides future investments and disaster risk reduction, strengthening city infrastructure and community safety.   The City of New Orleans has released the draft of its 2026 Hazard Mitigation Plan, a key strategy aimed at reducing the impact of future disasters on residents, infrastructure, and essential services. The updated plan identifies potential risks, both natural and human-caused, and outlines projects and policies designed to strengthen the city’s resilience. City officials said the plan serves as a roadmap for protecting lives, safeguarding property, and supporting long-term recovery. The draft was developed through a collaborative, multi-jurisdictional process involving local agencies and institutions, including the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans, the New Orleans Redevelopment Authority, the Housing Authority of New Orleans, Tulane University, Loyola University, and various community organizations and residents. Officials emphasized that this partnership approach allows the city and its stakeholders to align on resilience goals, coordinate mitigation projects, access potential funding, and expand public education about disaster risk reduction. The public comment period for the 2026 plan opens March 13, 2026, and runs through April 13, 2026. Residents can review the draft and submit feedback through the city’s website, which also provides access to the previous 2020 plan: https://ready.nola.gov/hazard-mitigation. City representatives said community input is essential to ensure the plan addresses local needs and priorities, guiding future investments that enhance New Orleans’ ability to withstand and recover from disasters. ...read more read less