Hazus-MH is FEMA’s powerful regional loss estimation methodology and software application that enables users to quantify losses from earthquakes, hurricanes, and floods. In Hazus, current scientific and engineering knowledge is coupled with the latest GIS technology to produce estimates of potential loss of life and property (i.e. critical facilities, economic loss, and displaced households). Approval has just been received to add Tsunami risk analysis capability in a future release.
Now a seasoned multi-hazard disaster loss simulation tool, Hazus 2.0 gives the nation and communities a window into the future and a means to prioritize activities that will reduce disaster-related losses. Hazus is a “community-centric” geospatial tool that has been used for state and local risk assessments and mitigation planning and has been widely integrated into the mainstream of federal geospatial planning and consequence assessments.
Mr. Berman will discuss how Hazus has been utilized by other federal agencies, including the U.S. Geological Survey, in an ongoing effort to develop a robust, scientifically-based model with inventories that are mission critical to federal and state users. Hazus is also a major component of the DHS Geospatial Concept of Operations (GeoCONOPS), a multi-year initiative to promote the application of geospatial technologies to support federal response and recovery under the National Response Framework.
Learning Points:
1. How Hazus can be used for mitigation and recovery as well as preparedness and response
2. New software upgrades being made to Hazus, including how a new Tsunami model will increase the risk assessment capability
3. How Hazus has crossed borders and is now being used internationally