Public Notice 2

June 12, 2026

FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) Application

Shelby County Critical Facility Seismic Vulnerability Assessment Project

Notice Date: [June 13, 2026]

The Center for Disaster Recovery and Resiliency (CDRR) is seeking funding through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) to develop a Critical Facility Seismic Vulnerability Assessment plan for Shelby County, Tennessee.

The purpose of this project is to update and enhance the seismic vulnerability assessment of critical facilities throughout Shelby County, Tennessee. The project will provide emergency managers, local governments, planners, and public safety officials with current information regarding the vulnerability of essential facilities to earthquakes generated by the New Madrid Seismic Zone (NMSZ).

The project will be conducted through a partnership between the Center for Disaster Recovery and Resiliency (CDRR) and the Shelby County Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (SCEMHSA). The project will utilize field investigations, geospatial data collection, rapid visual screening methodologies, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and FEMA-approved Hazus software to evaluate potential impacts of future earthquakes on critical facilities.

The resulting planning tool will provide updated information regarding the structural and operational vulnerability of critical facilities, including hospitals, schools, fire stations, police stations, emergency shelters, county government buildings, and other essential infrastructure. The project will also support the continued development and enhancement of the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) Critical Infrastructure Database (Critical2TN) by collecting and integrating facility information.

The project will strengthen local earthquake preparedness, improve hazard mitigation planning, support emergency response and recovery efforts, and enhance community resilience throughout Shelby County.

The project is a planning and risk assessment initiative only. No construction activities, property acquisition, ground disturbance, or changes to land use are proposed as part of this project.

The complete planning tool will improve local capabilities for emergency management, flood-risk identification, mitigation planning, and informed decision-making related to future liquefaction hazards.

FEMA funding is being requested through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. The proposed project will undergo review in accordance with applicable federal environmental and historic preservation requirements.

Public Comment Period

Shelby County encourages public review and comment regarding the proposed project. Written comments will be accepted for a period of fifteen (15) days from the date of publication of this notice.

Comments may be submitted by email or mail to:

Center for Disaster Recovery and Resiliency (CDRR)

Attn: Dr. Shahram Pezeshk
3815 Central Ave.
Engineering Science Building, Room 108A
Memphis, Tennessee 38152

Email: spezeshk@memphis.edu

Comments must be received no later than [June 30, 2026].

All comments received during the public comment period will be considered as part of the project development and grant application process.

For additional information regarding this proposed project, please contact CDRR at 901-678-4727 or spezeshk@memphis.edu.