Cover

HAZUS-MH Risk Assessment and User Group Series

Using HAZUS-MH for Risk Assessment

How-To Guide

FEMA 433 / August 2004

Federal Emergency Management Agency

Cover graphic: United States map illustration overlaid with three computer 
screenshots from the HAZUS-MH program.


Title Page

HAZUS-MH Risk Assessment and User Group Series

Using HAZUS-MH for Risk Assessment

How-To Guide

FEMA 433/August 2004

Federal Emergency Management Agency

Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this 
publication do
not necessarily reflect the views of FEMA. Additionally, neither FEMA or any of 
its employees
makes any warrantee, expressed or implied, or assumes any legal liability or 
responsibility for the
accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, product, or process 
included in this
publication. Users of information from this publication assume all liability 
arising from such use.


Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	vii

Introduction	ix
Overview	ix
	Layout and Organization of the How-To Guide	ix
		Informational Icons	ix
		Hazard-Specific Icons	x
		Contents of the How-To Guide	x
	Overview of Mitigation Planning	xi
	Introduction to HAZUS-MH	xii
	HAZUS-MH for Risk Assessment	xiv
		HAZUS-MH Levels of Analysis	xiv
		HAZUS-MH Provided Data	xv
		HAZUS-MH and Local Data	xv
		Evaluation of Hazards Not Included in HAZUS-MH	xvi
	Risk Assessment Process Using HAZUS-MH	xvi
	Establishing your Risk Assessment Team	xviii
Summary	xix

Step 1: Identify Hazards	1-1
Overview	1-1
	Define Your Study Region (Task 1.1)	1-1
		Start HAZUS-MH	1-2
		Create a Study Region	1-2
		Select a Level of Aggregation	1-3
	Create A Base Map of your Study Region (Task 1.2)	1-6
		Base Map Using HAZUS-MH Provided Data	1-6
		Base Maps Using Local Data	1-6
		Display Local Data on Your Base Map	1-8
	Identify Hazards of Interest (Task 1.3)	1-8
		Potential Hazards of Interest and HAZUS-MH	1-9
				Earthquakes	1-9
				Floods (Coastal and Riverine)	1-11
				Hurricanes	1-12
				Landslides	1-14
			Tornadoes	1-14
			Tsunamis	1-15
			Wildfires	1-16
			Other Hazards	1-16
			Documenting Hazards of Interest	1-17
Summary		1-17

Step 2: Profile Hazards	2-1
Overview		2-1
	Review HAZUS-MH Provided Hazard Data (Task 2.1)	2-2
		Access HAZUS-MH Provided Earthquake Data	2-2
		Access HAZUS-MH Provided Flood Data	2-4
		Access HAZUS-MH Provided Hurricane Data	2-5
	Perform a Data Gap Analysis (Task 2.2)	2-6
		Hazard Data for HAZUS-MH Hazard Analysis	2-6
		Hazard Data to Map Other Hazards	2-7
		Hazard Data Not Used for Mapping but Useful for Written Hazard 
		Profiles (All Hazards)	2-7
		Evaluate Available and Desired Data	2-7
	Collect Additional Hazard Data (If Needed) (Task 2.3)	2-8
		Access General Hazard Data Sources	2-9
		Access Specific Hazard Data Sources	2-10
		Earthquakes	2-11
		Floods (Coastal and Riverine)	2-13
		Hurricanes	2-20
		Landslides	2-21
		Tornadoes	2-23
		Tsunamis	2-24
		Wildfires	2-26
		Other Hazards	2-28
		Develop HAZUS-MH Compatible Maps	2-28
	Profile and Prioritize Hazards (Task 2.4)	2-29
Summary		2-30

Step 3: Inventory Assets	3-1
Overview	3-1
	Review HAZUS-MH Inventory Data (Task 3.1)	3-2
		General Building Stock	3-3
		Essential Facilities	3-4
		Hazardous Material 	3-4
		High Potential Loss Facilities	3-4
		Transportation Lifeline Systems	3-4
		Utility Lifeline Systems	3-5
		Demographics	3-5
	Perform a Data Gap Analysis (Task 3.2)	3-6
	Collect Additional Local Inventory Data (If Needed) (Task 3.3)	3-7
	Integrate Local Data Into HAZUS-MH (Task 3.4)	3-8
		Edit HAZUS-MH Inventory Data Tables	3-9
		Import Local Inventory Data Tables into HAZUS-MH	3-9
		Collect Data Using InCAST	3-11
		Organize and Import Data Using BIT-MH	3-13
Summary	3-14

Step 4: Estimate Losses	4-1
Overview		4-1
	Deterministic and Probabilistic Scenarios in HAZUS-MH	4-2
	Integrate Hazard Profile Data for HAZUS-MH Level 2 (Task 4.1)	4-4
		Earthquakes	4-4
		Floods (Coastal)	4-5
		Floods (Riverine) 	4-7
		Hurricanes	4-8
	Run HAZUS-MH Scenarios (Task 4.2)	4-10
		Run an Earthquake Scenario	4-10
		Run a Flood Scenario using HAZUS-MH (Coastal and Riverine)	4-11
		Run a Flood Scenario with the Flood Wizard 	4-15
		Run a Hurricane Scenario	4-17
		Obtain Loss Estimation Results from HAZUS-MH Scenarios	4-17
	Run the Risk Assessment Tool (Task 4.3)	4-18
	Calculate Exposures for Hazards Not Included in HAZUS-MH 
	(Task 4.4)	4-20
	Evaluate the Results of the Risk Assessment (Task 4.5) 	4-20
		Consider and Review Your Loss Estimate Results	4-20
Summary	4-22

Step 5: Consider Mitigation Options 	5-1
Overview		5-1
	Identify Preliminary Mitigation Options (Task 5.1)	5-3
			Regulatory Measures	5-3
			Rehabilitation of Existing Structures	5-4
			Protective and Control Measures	5-4
	Mitigation Measures for Earthquakes 	5-5
			Regulatory Measures	5-5
			Rehabilitation of Existing Structures	5-5
			Protective and Control Measures	5-7
	Mitigation Measures for Floods 	5-7
			Regulatory Measures	5-7
			Rehabilitation of Existing Structures	5-7
			Protective and Control Measures	5-8
	Mitigation Measures for Hurricanes 	5-8
			Regulatory Measures	5-9
			Rehabilitation of Existing Structures	5-9
			Protective and Control Measures	5-9
	Review Mitigation Options (Task 5.2)	5-10
	Identify Final List of Mitigation Options (Task 5.3)	5-11
		Earthquakes 	5-11
		Floods   	5-12
			Riverine Flood Mitigation Measure Evaluation 	5-12
			Coastal Flood Model Mitigation Measure Evaluation	5-12
		Hurricanes	5-14
	Verify Mitigation Measures (Task 5.4)	5-16
Summary	5-17

APPENDICES
Appendix A: Acronyms and Abbreviations	A-1
Appendix B: Glossary of Terms	B-1
Appendix C: DMA 2000 Job Aids	C-1
Appendix D: Job Aids for Step 2 - Profile Hazards	D-1
Appendix E: Job Aids for Step 3 - Inventory Assets	E-1
Appendix F: Job Aids for Step 4 - Estimate Losses	F-1
Appendix G: Job Aids for Step 5 - Consider Mitigation Options	G-1

TABLES
Table 1:  System Specifications for HAZUS-MH	xiii
Table 2:  Members of a Risk Assessment Team	xviii
Table 3:  Introduction Activities and Outputs Checklist	xix
Table 1-1:  Identify Hazards Activities and Outputs Checklist	1-17
Table 2-1:  Earthquake Hazard Characteristic Data Sources	2-13
Table 2-2:  Flood Hazard Data Needs and Sources	2-14
Table 2-3:  Hurricane Hazard Data Sources to Support HAZUS-MH	2-20
Table 2-4:  Fire Hazard Severity Table	2-27
Table 2-5:  Data Sources for Additional Hazard Maps of Interest	2-28
Table 2-6:  Profile Hazards Activities and Outputs Checklist	2-30
Table 3-1:  Inventory Assets Activities and Outputs Checklist	3-15
Table 4-1:  Estimate Losses Activities and Outputs Checklist	4-22
Table 5-1:  Consider Mitigation Options Activities and Outputs Checklist	5-
17

FIGURES
Figure 1:  The Hazard Mitigation Planning Process	xii
Figure 2:  HAZUS-MH Risk Assessment Process and Outputs	xvii
Figure 1-1:  Step 1 Tasks and Outputs	1-1
Figure 1-2:  HAZUS-MH Startup Menu	1-2
Figure 1-3:  Entering the Study Region Name	1-3
Figure 1-4:  Selecting Hazards	1-3
Figure 1-5:  Aggregation Level Menu	1-3
Figure 1-6:  State Selection List	1-4
Figure 1-7:  State Selection Map	1-4
Figure 1-8:  County Selection List	1-5
Figure 1-9:  County Selection Map	1-5
Figure 1-10:  Census Tract Selection List	1-5
Figure 1-11:  Census Tract Selection Map	1-5
Figure 1-12:  ArcToolbox Data Conversion Utility	1-7
Figure 1-13:  ArcToolbox Data Projection Utility	1-7
Figure 1-14:  Adding Local Base Map Data	1-8
Figure 2-1:  Step 2 Tasks and Outputs	2-1
Figure 2-2:  Earthquake Screen	2-2
Figure 2-3:  Ground Motion Menu	2-2
Figure 2-4:  Earthquake Scenario Selection	2-3
Figure 2-5:  Earthquake Epicenter Database	2-3
Figure 2-6:  Epicenter Event Map	2-3
Figure 2-7:  Hurricane Screen	2-5
Figure 2-8:  Hurricane Scenario Operation	2-5
Figure 2-9:  Flood Wizard Destination Directory	2-18
Figure 2-10:  Flood Wizard Installation Complete	2-18
Figure 2-11:  Flood Wizard Program Location	2-18
Figure 2-12:  Flood Wizard Menu	2-19
Figure 2-13:  Flood Wizard Data Menu	2-19
Figure 3-1:  Step 3 Tasks and Outputs	3-1
Figure 3-2:  Local Inventory Data Collection Potential Level of Effort	3-6
Figure 3-3:  Example of an Inventory Table	3-9
Figure 3-4:  Import Features with Attributes	3-10
Figure 3-5:  Identifying the Database to be Imported	3-10
Figure 3-6:  Source and Target Field Mapping Tool	3-10
Figure 3-7:  Interactive Database Dictionary	3-11
Figure 3-8:  Saving a Database Mapping Scheme	3-11
Figure 3-9:  InCAST General Menu	3-12
Figure 3-10:  InCAST Earthquake Menu	3-12
Figure 3-11:  InCAST Flood Menu	3-12
Figure 3-12:  InCAST Wind Menu	3-13
Figure 3-13:  BIT-MH Startup Menu	3-13
Figure 3-14:  Mapping Menu	3-13
Figure 3-15:  Category Menu	3-14
Figure 3-16:  Category Mapping Menu	3-14
Figure 4-1:  Step 4 Tasks and Outputs	4-1
Figure 4-2:  Earthquake Hazard Scenario Selection Menu	4-4
Figure 4-3:  Define Hazard Maps Option Menu	4-4
Figure 4-4:  FIT Startup Menu	4-6
Figure 4-5:  Project Setup Screen	4-6
Figure 4-6:  Editing the Hazard Maps	4-8
Figure 4-7:  Terrain Table	4-9
Figure 4-8:  Tree Parameters Table	4-9
Figure 4-9:  Seismic Hazard Type Selection Menu	4-10
Figure 4-10:  Probabilistic Hazard Selection Menu	4-10
Figure 4-11:  Hazard Scenario Event Name Menu	4-11
Figure 4-12:  Analysis Options Menu	4-11
Figure 4-13:  Creating New Study Case Dialog Box	4-12
Figure 4-14:  Stream Reach Selection	4-12
Figure 4-15:  Hazard Menu	4-13
Figure 4-16:  Analysis Options Menu	4-14
Figure 4-17:  Wizard Installation Menu	4-15
Figure 4-18:  InstallShield Wizard Complete	4-15
Figure 4-19:  Flood Window Menu Box	4-16
Figure 4-20:  Flood Data Menu	4-16
Figure 4-21:  Analysis Main Menu	4-16
Figure 4-22:  Scenario Operation Menu	4-17
Figure 4-23:  Analysis Options Menu	4-17
Figure 4-24:  RAT Installation Menu	4-18
Figure 4-25:  RAT Destination Directory	4-18
Figure 4-26:  Installation Wizard Complete	4-19
Figure 4-27:  Third Party Model Menu	4-19
Figure 4-28:  RAT Program Location	4-19
Figure 4-29:  RAT Menu Box	4-19
Figure 4-30:  RAT Report	4-20
Figure 5-1:  Step 5 Tasks and Outputs	5-1
Figure 5-2:  What If Menu	5-13
Figure 5-3:  Levee Options	5-13
Figure 5-4:  Flow Regulation	5-13
Figure 5-5:  Long Term Erosion	5-14
Figure 5-6:  Shore Protection	5-14
Figure 5-7:  Analysis Options	5-14
Figure 5-8:  Wind Building Characteristics Menu	5-15
Figure 5-9:  Wind Building Characteristics Distribution Menu	5-15
Figure 5-10:  Building Mitigation Menu	5-15

WORKSHEETS
Worksheet 1:  Risk Assessment Team Members	xx
Worksheet 1-1:  Identify Your Hazards	1-18
Worksheet 1-2:  Summary of Hazards Identification 	1-19
Worksheet 2-1:  Identify Required Hazard Data	2-31
Worksheet 2-2:  Profile Hazards 	2-32
Worksheet 2-3:  Prioritize Hazards	2-34
Worksheet 3-1:  HAZUS-MH Inventory Data and Data Sources	3-16
Worksheet 4-1:  Inventory At Risk Estimates	4-23
Worksheet 4-2:  Flood Wizard Outputs	4-25
Worksheet 5-1A:  Identify Preliminary List of Mitigation Options 
Based on HAZUS-MH Loss Estimates	5-18
Worksheet 5-1B:  Prepare a Preliminary List of Mitigation Options	5-19
Worksheet 5-2:  Prepare a Short List of Mitigation Options	5-25
Worksheet 5-3:  Prepare a Final List of Mitigation Options	5-26

EXAMPLES
Example 1:  Pilot Project Risk Assessment Team Members	xxi
Example 1-1:  Identify Hazards  Summary Worksheet for Austin, TX	1-20
Example 2-1:  Hazard Profile  Earthquake	2-35
Example 3-1:  HAZUS-MH Inventory Data and Data Sources	3-19
Example 4-1:  Estimate Losses 
(Hurricane Loss Estimate for Austin, TX)	4-27
Example 5-1A:  Mitigation Measures for the Built Environment	5-21
Example 5-1B:  Mitigation Measures for the Built Environment 
by Hazard	5-23


Acknowledgments

This How-To Guide is designed to help prepare standardized, scientifically-based 
risk assessments using the Hazards U.S. Multi-Hazard (HAZUS-MH) software. The 
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) prepared this guide based on field-
implemented HAZUS-MH risk assessment pilot projects across the country that are 
responding to the requirements of the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (DMA 
2000). FEMA prepared this guide for users who have had exposure to HAZUS-MH and 
are interested in using HAZUS-MH to support risk assessment studies. 

Principal Authors:
Carla Buriks, Tetra Tech EM Inc.
William Bohn, Tetra Tech EM Inc.	
Milagros Kennett, FEMA, Project Officer, Risk Management Series Publications
Lisa Scola, Tetra Tech EM Inc.
Bogdan Srdanovic, Spring International Consulting Group

Contributors:
Scott Lawson, PBS&J
Thomas Adkisson, Tetra Tech EM Inc.
Ross Berman, Tetra Tech EM Inc.
Jawhar Bouabid, PBS&J
Wanda Rizer, design4impact
Deb Daly, Greenhorne & OMara, Inc.

This manual was prepared under contract to FEMA.  It will be revised 
periodically, and comments and feedback to improve future editions are welcome.  
Please send comments and feedback by e-mail to riskmanagementseriespubs@dhs.gov.


Introduction

Overview
This Introduction presents the layout and organization of the How-To Guide, an 
overview of mitigation planning, information about HAZUS-MH and risk 
assessments, and activities to help establish your risk assessment team.  


Sidebar: Reference: This How-To Guide should be used in conjunction with the 
HAZUS-MH software; and the user and technical manuals that are provided with 
your HAZUS-MH software. Other references listed throughout the guide also will 
assist your risk assessment efforts.


Layout and Organization of the How-To Guide
This How-To Guide focuses on the basic steps and tasks necessary to complete 
your risk assessment. The guide presents pertinent information in text boxes 
that provide specific software and technical information, key definitions, 
examples, and references. Hazard icons indicate hazard-specific information for 
several natural disasters. These text boxes and icons provide guidance and 
helpful suggestions to accomplish the tasks described in this How-To Guide.


Informational Icons
The following icons indicate the topic of each text box:
The HAZUS icon indicates information about the HAZUS-MH software, its 
advantages, and its uses.
The Definition icon identifies key terms, definitions, and acronyms.
The Example icon provides examples of how pilot project communities have applied 
HAZUS-MH in their risk assessments.
The Note icon identifies additional technical information, including useful 
reminders and tips based on lessons learned from the pilot projects.
The Reference icon lists additional useful materials and regulatory citations.
The Wizard icon refers to two HAZUS-MH utility tools -- the Flood Macro Wizard 
and the Risk Assessment Tool; both tools simplify and shortcut the process of 
obtaining HAZUS-MH risk assessment outputs.
The Job Aid icon indicates resources that can help you complete the risk 
assessment process using HAZUS-MH.
The Output icon indicates outputs for each step of the risk assessment process 
obtained by implementing the tasks in the How-To Guide and the worksheets 
included for each step.


Hazard-Specific Icons
The hazard-specific icons provide information and instructions for the following 
specific natural hazards: Earthquakes, Hurricanes, Tornadoes, Tsunamis, Coastal 
Floods, Riverine Floods, Landslides, and Wildfires.


Contents of the How-To Guide
This How-To Guide is organized into an Introduction, five steps, and seven 
appendices:  
--Introduction 
--Identify Hazards (Step 1)
--Profile Hazards (Step 2)
--Inventory Assets (Step 3)
--Estimate Losses (Step 4)
--Consider Mitigation Options (Step 5)
--Appendix A:  Acronyms and Abbreviations
--Appendix B:  Glossary of Terms
--Appendix C:  DMA 2000 Job Aids
--Appendix D:  Job Aids for Step 2
--Appendix E:  Job Aids for Step 3
--Appendix F:  Job Aids for Step 4
--Appendix G:  Job Aids for Step 5

The sections of this guide are organized around the five steps of conducting a 
risk assessment using HAZUS-MH. Each step includes:
--Text and graphics that describe the risk assessment steps
--Instructions and corresponding HAZUS-MH screen captures to support the steps
--Practical implementation examples and lessons learned from field-based pilot 
projects
--Worksheets and associated job aids as training tools to help you complete each 
step

The remainder of this Introduction provides an overview of mitigation planning, 
an introduction to HAZUS-MH, and steps to establish your risk assessment team.


Overview of Mitigation Planning
Hazard mitigation is any action that reduces the destructive and disruptive 
effects of future disasters. Mitigation efforts generally offer the best and 
most cost-effective methods of addressing the impacts associated with disasters. 
To support better mitigation planning for future disasters, Congress enacted the 
DMA 2000. FEMA is the lead agency supporting implementation of the DMA 2000 
requirements and makes funds available to support efforts to meet these 
requirements. In 2002, FEMA issued regulations and guidelines to implement the 
DMA 2000 requirements for mitigation planning by states and communities. To be 
eligible for FEMA funds, state and local entities are required to prepare DMA 
2000 Hazard Mitigation Plans for natural hazards. Hazard Mitigation Plans can be 
developed using the general process shown in Figure 1. In addition, the DMA 2000 
Job Aids in Appendix C provide a summary of DMA 2000 requirements and how HAZUS-
MH resources can support these requirements.

Sidebar: Reference: FEMA developed an Interim Final Rule (for DMA 2000) that 
specifies the mitigation planning requirements for states and local governments. 
This rule is available at http://www.fema.gov/fima/planning10.shtm. The DMA 2000 
Job Aids in Appendix C summarize the rule and list resources available to help 
you meet DMA requirements. FEMA developed a series of mitigation planning guides 
that provide additional information and tools related to DMA 2000 requirements. 
Information about these guides is available at 
http://www.fema.gov/fima/planhowto.shtm. Additional information including DMA 
2000 Multi-Hazard Mitigation Guidance is available at 
http://www.fema.gov/fima/planning_toc4.shtm.

The primary purpose of hazard mitigation planning is to help communities 
identify the most effective policies, actions, and tools to decrease risk and 
the potential for future losses in a community. Before implementing mitigation 
measures, communities must assess potential hazards and the risks that they 
pose. For purposes of hazard mitigation, risk assessments estimate the social 
and economic impact that hazards can have on people, buildings, services, 
facilities, and infrastructure in a community. The usefulness of a risk 
assessment is directly dependent upon the quality and appropriateness of the 
data incorporated.

Figure 1: The hazard mitigation planning process 
A flow chart showing the phases and steps to take. Ongoing Community Involvement 
in 
Phase 1: Organize Resources
--identify and obtain the resources needed for mitigation
--identify and organize interested community members and technical experts
Phase 2: Assess Risks
--identify the characteristics and potential consequences of natural hazards

Sidebar: HAZUS-MH Risk Assessment Basic Steps: HAZUS-MH is applied using the 
five steps outlined in this How-to Guide.
Step 1: identify hazards
Step 2: profile hazards
Step 3: inventory assets
Step 4: estimate losses
Step 5: consider mitigation options

Phase 3: Develop a Mitigation Plan
--determine the community's mitigation priorities
--identify options to avoid or minimize undesired effects
--develop a natural hazard mitigation plan and implementation strategy
Phase 4: 
--apply the mitigation plan in the community
--implement high priority mitigation projects outlined in the plan
--monitor mitigation actions and update the plan accordingly


Introduction to HAZUS-MH
HAZUS-MH is a nationally applicable software program and standardized 
methodology for estimating potential losses from earthquake, flood, and 
hurricane hazards. FEMA developed HAZUS-MH in partnership with the National 
Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS). Loss estimates produced with HAZUS-MH are 
based on current scientific and engineering knowledge regarding the effects of 
earthquake, flood, and hurricane hazards. These loss estimates can support the 
risk assessment component of your planning effort.

Sidebar: Reference: Frequently asked questions about the DMA 2000 planning 
process and its requirements are answered at the following web site: 
http://www.fema.gov/fima/planfaq.shtm.

The following user capabilities are recommended for HAZUS-MH:
--Familiarity with Microsoft Windows-based environments and Geographic 
Information System (GIS) software (ArcGIS)
--Knowledge and experience with electronic data manipulation

Table 1 shows the computer system specifications required to run HAZUS-MH.


Side Bar: Note:
HAZUS-MH includes the largest compilation of geo-referenced data made available 
by the federal government at no cost. In addition to data provided with HAZUS-
MH, a variety of data (presented in further detail throughout the document) are 
available that can be used in risk assessment studies as follows:  
Hazard information to supplement HAZUS-MH provided data may be obtained from 
sources in the fields of meteorology, hydrology, geomorphology, and seismology.
Inventory data regarding the people and structures at risk are provided in 
HAZUS-MH from national and regional databases (such as the United States Census) 
and can be refined with local data.  
Vulnerability data regarding areas and assets at particular risk can best be 
refined at the local level.


Table 1: System Specifications for HAZUS-MH
	
Computer Speed Memory
Minimal: Pentium III, 1 gigahertz (GHz) core speed and 512 megabyte (MB) random 
access memory (RAM). Allows moderately fast analysis of small communities only.
Moderate: Pentium IV, 2 GHz core speed and 512 MB RAM.  Allows fast analysis of 
medium-sized communities and real-time analysis for small communities.	
Recommended: Pentium IV with 800 MHz system bus and 2.6 GHz (or better) core 
speed and 1 GB RAM. Allows fast analysis of large urban areas and real-time 
analysis for all communities.

Computer Storage: Free Hard Disk Space	
Minimal: 10 Gigabytes (GB). Allows installation of HAZUS-MH and storage of three 
scenarios for a medium-sized community.	
Moderate: 40 GB. Allows installation of HAZUS-MH and storage of three scenarios 
for large urban areas.
Recommended: 80 GB. Allows installation of HAZUS-MH and storage of 25 or more 
scenarios for large urban areas. 

Hardware and Software
   CD-ROM reader with 32x minimum read speed
   Microsoft Windows XP or 2000
   DVD-ROM reader with 12x minimum read speed
   ArcGIS 8.3 GIS software (ArcGIS 9 in Fall 2004)*
   Graphics Card with 800x600 minimum resolution
   Mouse, keyboard, and computer monitor
   ESRIs Spacial Analyst 8.3


HAZUS-MH for Risk Assessment
HAZUS-MH can be used to evaluate a variety of hazards and associated risks to 
support mitigation planning efforts. HAZUS-MH provides natural hazard and 
inventory data; it estimates losses and has strong mapping and layout 
capabilities. HAZUS-MH outputs can be presented in map and tabular formats for 
easy review, use, and communication to stakeholders. HAZUS-MH provides risk 
assessment outputs and loss estimates for use in:
--Planning for and mitigating the possible consequences of disaster events
--Anticipating the possible nature and scope of emergency response needed to 
cope with disaster events
--Developing plans for recovery and reconstruction following a disaster


Sidebar: HAZUS software: 
HAZUS-MH has distinct advantages for risk assessment, including:
 Consistent platform and methodology for assessing risk across geographic and 
political entities
 Framework that can be used to save and update data as population, inventory, 
and other factors change, and as planning efforts evolve 
 Strong mapping capabilities for hazard and inventory data
 Visual mapping and tabular outputs that promote communication and interaction 
with local stakeholders, a requirement of the mitigation planning process


The models in HAZUS-MH are designed to estimate the consequences to a city or 
other defined study region from three primary types of hazard events - 
earthquakes, floods, and hurricanes.  The resulting loss estimates describe the 
scale and extent of damage and disruption that may result from a potential 
hazard event. To generate this information, HAZUS-MH uses data provided with the 
software and/or user-provided local data to estimate the type and extent of 
damage for each specific hazard.  Also, HAZUS-MH can be used to estimate the 
exposure of local assets to other hazards not included in the software.

Sidebar: HAZUS software: FEMA provides a number of training courses and other 
resources to support HAZUS-MH. You can learn more about these resources at 
http://www.fema.gov/hazus/. Look for the Training/Conferences link.


HAZUS-MH Levels of Analysis
HAZUS-MH is a flexible software tool that allows for varied levels of 
customization, based on your resources and analysis needs.  The flexibility 
provided with HAZUS-MH is described as analysis Levels 1 through 3, which are 
defined as follows:

Level 1:
Level 1 involves using HAZUS-MH provided hazard and inventory data with minimal 
outside data collection or mapping.  You can conduct a Level 1 analysis using 
the inventory and hazard data sets provided with HAZUS-MH. Limited additional 
data are required to complete a Level 1 flood hazard analysis (e.g., for a 
coastal analysis, the digital elevation model, 100-year still water area, and 
still water elevation are required). Level 1 analysis, relying on HAZUS-MH 
provided data, can be an acceptable level of information for mitigation 
planning. 
Level 2:
Level 2 involves augmenting the HAZUS-MH provided hazard and inventory data with 
more recent or detailed data for your study region. These additional data are 
referred to as local data throughout this How-To Guide. Use of local data will 
refine the HAZUS-MH analyses and generally will produce more accurate results.  
Level 3: 
Level 3 involves adjusting the built-in loss estimation models used for the 
earthquake, flood, and hurricane loss analyses. This typically is done in 
concert with the use of local data (Level 2 analysis). It is only pursued by 
advanced users with knowledge of the hazard models developed for HAZUS-MH and 
when the users need more accurate results or need to solve specific problems. 

This How-To Guide focuses on the use of Level 1 and Level 2 analyses using 
HAZUS-MH. Level 3 analysis techniques are not addressed in detail. 

Sidebar: Note: If a jurisdiction chooses to use HAZUS-MH in support of risk 
assessment, the minimum level of analysis that is acceptable will vary, 
depending on the communitys resources, data availability, and technical 
capabilities.


HAZUS-MH Provided Data
HAZUS-MH includes sophisticated models that combine data regarding the 
vulnerability of the study region to each hazard with data that describe the 
regions population and social and economic bases. Hazard data include historic 
events and area characteristics that influence how each hazard impacts a given 
area. The inventory data for all of the HAZUS-MH models use basic information on 
population, buildings, and facilities obtained from the United States Census and 
other national databases.
    
HAZUS-MH and Local Data
HAZUS-MH includes national data sets that can be supplemented with local data. 
If local detailed data are available, you may consider using this data to 
perform more refined studies using HAZUS-MH Level 2 and Level 3 analyses. HAZUS-
MH is flexible and allows you to update HAZUS-MH provided data with local data 
or use a combination of both. Augmenting the HAZUS-MH provided data with local 
data can improve the accuracy and resolution of your analysis results. However, 
collecting local data can be time-consuming and costly. Decisions about 
collecting this information should be balanced against the possible benefits of 
the data to support mitigation planning. 
 
Evaluation of Hazards Not Included in HAZUS-MH
HAZUS-MH can support the evaluation of some hazards that are not included as 
models in the current HAZUS-MH software. If your studies and data allow you to 
map hazard areas for other hazards, you can display these maps using the GIS 
functionality provided with HAZUS-MH. Also, you can estimate the inventory 
exposed within the hazard areas for these hazards. If you also have probability 
data for hazards or strong historical loss data, you can estimate the 
probability of different levels of losses using techniques outside of the HAZUS-
MH software. Approaches to support exposure estimates using hazard area maps are 
described in Step 4 of this guide. 

Risk Assessment Process Using HAZUS-MH
A specific risk assessment process for using HAZUS-MH was documented during the 
field pilots. This process, shown in Figure 2, outlines the steps, tasks, and 
subsequent outputs involved in applying HAZUS-MH for your risk assessment. Each 
of these steps, tasks, and outputs is discussed in more detail in the subsequent 
steps of this How-To Guide. Note that normally a risk assessment has four steps 
and concludes with loss estimation; however, for this How-To Guide, a fifth 
step, Consider Mitigation Options, has been added. The purpose of the added step 
is to help you with your mitigation planning and assist in identifying, 
reviewing, and evaluating mitigation measures.   


Figure 2: HAZUS-MH risk assessment process and outputs

Ongoing Community Involvement
RISK ASSESSMENT PROCESS
Identify Hazards (Step 1)
1.1  	Define Your Study Region
1.2  	Create a Base Map of Your Study Region
1.3  	Identify Hazards of Interest
HAZUS-MH OUTPUTS
 Study Region 
 Base Map
 List of Hazards of Interest

RISK ASSESSMENT PROCESS
Profile Hazards (Step 2)
2.1  	Review HAZUS-MH Provided Hazard Data
2.2  	Perform a Data Gap Analysis
2.3  	Collect Additional Hazard Data (if needed)
2.4  	Profile and Prioritize Your Hazards
HAZUS-MH OUTPUTS
 Updated Hazard Data 
 Completed Profiles 
 Hazard Map Summary
 Hazard Profile
 Hazard Prioritization

RISK ASSESSMENT PROCESS
Inventory Assets (Step 3)
3.1  	Review HAZUS-MH Provided Inventory Data
3.2  	Perform a Data Gap Analysis
3.3  	Collect Additional Local Data (if needed)
3.4  	Integrate Local Data into HAZUS-MH
HAZUS-MH OUTPUTS
 Tables and Maps of Inventory Data
 Updated Local Data in HAZUS-MH
 List of Data Sources

RISK ASSESSMENT PROCESS
Estimate Losses (Step 4)
4.1  	Integrate Hazard Profile Data for HAZUS-MH Level 2
4.2  	Run HAZUS-MH Scenarios
4.3  	Run the Risk Assessment Tool
4.4  	Calculate Exposures for Hazards Not Included in HAZUS-MH
4.5 	Evaluate the Results of Your Risk Assessment
3.4  	Integrate Local Data into HAZUS-MH
HAZUS-MH OUTPUTS
 Loss Estimate Tables, Maps, and Summary Reports
 Flood Wizard and Risk Assessment Tool Outputs

RISK ASSESSMENT PROCESS
Consider Mitigation Options (Step 5)
5.1  	Identify Preliminary Mitigation Options
5.2  	Review Mitigation Options
5.3   	Identify Final List of Mitigation Options
5.4  	Verify Mitigation Options
HAZUS-MH OUTPUTS
 Preliminary List of Mitigation Options
 Short List of Mitigation Options 
 Final List of Mitigation Options
 Consolidated List of Mitigation Options


Establishing Your Risk Assessment Team
Prior to beginning the steps and tasks of your risk assessment, it is prudent to 
identify and establish your risk assessment team. Table 2 shows the types of 
personnel who may be useful in mitigation planning and HAZUS-MH risk assessment 
efforts. 
Generally, a local planning or emergency management representative will lead 
this team. The lead person will be primarily responsible for developing the 
Hazard Mitigation Plan. However, a wide variety of persons may be useful to your 
team and should be included (e.g., engineers, natural hazard experts, public 
works directors, and economists). Involving a variety of people from different 
segments of the community will ensure that all relevant issues and concerns are 
considered when planning and implementing your risk assessment. It is important 
to emphasize that because HAZUS-MH runs from a GIS platform, a GIS specialist 
should be part of the team. Worksheet 1 includes a format for listing your team 
members and their contact information. Example 1 describes pilot project risk 
assessment team members. Key team members should meet regularly to develop and 
implement the risk assessment and subsequent mitigation planning efforts. 

Table 2: Members of a Risk Assessment Team

Type of Team Member: Members with Specific Responsibilities
Type of Personnel
--Local planning or emergency management representative (team leader)
--Representatives of state and local government agencies
--GIS specialists
--Multidisciplinary subject-matter experts
--Utility companies and public works experts

Type of Team Member: Support Members (providing advice or technical input)
Type of Personnel
--Community leaders and elected officials
--Business owners and operators and representatives of development organizations
--Representatives of neighborhood groups and other nonprofit organizations
--Interested citizens
--Representatives of Federal Government agencies
--Personnel affiliated with academic institutions

 
Summary
The introduction should have familiarized you the requirements of DMA 2000 and 
HAZUS-MH, and how HAZUS-MH can support your risk assessment.  Each step of this 
guide ends with a checklist of activities and outputs that should be completed.  
Table 3  will help you make sure you have completed these activities.  Review 
the list below and add check marks in the third column where you have completed 
the activities or outputs indicated.  

Table 3: Introduction Activities and Output Checklist
Activity: Understand the DMA 2000 requirements
Output:   Understanding of the DMA 2000 requirements

Activity: Obtain your free copy of HAZUS-MH software from the FEMA distribution 
center
Output: HAZUS-MH software, user manuals, and technical manuals

Activity: Identify key and support members of your risk assessment team 
Output: Risk assessment team documented using Worksheet 1

Activity: Review Introduction text and the examples provided	Output: 
Understanding of how to get started and how HAZUS-MH can support the risk 
assessment process

Complete any missing items in your checklist and then continue to Step 1. 


GO TO STEP 1:  IDENTIFY HAZARDS

Worksheet 1: Risk Assessment Team Members
Worksheet 1 will help you to keep track of your team members and their roles in 
preparing the risk assessment for your community.
Worksheet description: for each team member, list the name, title, team role, 
and contact information. Check off which team members  
1. have specific responsibilities for developing and implementing the risk 
assessment
2. can provide advice or data during the risk assessment study
3. can provide technical input and support during implementation of the risk 
assessment.


Example 1: Pilot Project Risk Assessment Team Members
This example illustrates focus areas and team members for the pilot projects 
communities.

Pilot Project Community Risk Assessment Objectives and Focus Areas
City of Austin, Texas
 Focus on impacts potentially associated with the Colorado River and 
specific manmade hazards.
 City of Austin personnel had some knowledge of HAZUS-MH and a solid GIS 
foundation.	

Hazard Mitigation Team Members and Risk Assessment Support Team
Primary team members:
 FEMA Headquarters and Region VI
 State of Texas Department of Public Safety
 State of Texas Division of Emergency Management
 City of Austin Office of Emergency Management Planning and GIS Departments  
Partnering agencies:  
 Austin Water Protection and Development Review Department
 Austin Fire Department
 Lower Colorado River Authority
 Austin Energy
 Texas Geographic Society
Consultants: 
 H20 Partners (City of Austin) 
 FEMA consultants for Austin, Texas

Pilot Project Community Risk Assessment Objectives and Focus Areas
Eight-County Effort for Wyoming
 Focus on impacts potentially associated with flood and earthquake hazards.
 HAZUS-MH expertise has developed.
 Due to the low population density in WY, some census tract data needed 
adjustment to smaller areas called census blocks.  
 Local expertise was used to integrate local hazard and inventory data into 
HAZUS-MH.

Hazard Mitigation Team Members and Risk Assessment Support Team
Representatives are supporting mitigation planning across the state, including 
the eight counties of interest. Representatives supporting the mitigation team 
include:  
 FEMA Headquarters and Region VIII
 Wyoming Geological Society
 State and county emergency management representatives
 FEMA consultants for Wyoming
A focus area for this effort included updating local inventory data for 
essential facilities and translating Census data from the tract level to the 
block level to support user needs. 

Pilot Project Community Risk Assessment Objectives and Focus Areas
Louisville metro, Kentucky
 Focus on impacts potentially associated with flood and earthquake hazards.
 Louisville/metropolitan area boundaries were used as the study area.
 A strong GIS capability was provided through a local not-for-profit 
organization.
 Areas flood committee was designated as the All-Hazards Mitigation team.
 Timing of the pilot project provided a strong foundation to start the 
mitigation planning process. 	

Hazard Mitigation Team Members and Risk Assessment Support Team
Primary team members:
  FEMA Headquarters and Region IV 
  Louisville Metro Emergency Management Agency representatives
  Louisville/Jefferson County Information Center (LOJIC, a GIS support entity)
  Members of local planning agencies and utility companies  
  FEMA and local consultants for Louisville metro, Kentucky
Because of the importance of the flood hazard to this area, Louisville metro 
determined that the areas flood committee would serve as the foundation for the 
risk assessment team and long-term mitigation planning team, the all-hazards 
team.  This group included representatives from the organizations supporting the 
risk assessment as well as other local flood committee personnel.  

Pilot Project Community Risk Assessment Objectives and Focus Areas
Marion and Hamilton Counties, Indiana 
 Focus on impacts potentially associated with flood and earthquake hazards.
 The two counties work together on their emergency planning efforts and, 
therefore, the study area combined the two counties for this pilot.	
Hazard Mitigation Team Members and Risk Assessment Support Team
The pilot project risk assessment team included a range of parties drawn from 
organizations such as:  
 FEMA Headquarters and Region V
 State of Indiana Emergency Management Agency (SEMA)
 IndyGov - City of Indianapolis and Marion County
  Hamilton County Emergency Management Agency
  FEMA Consultants for Marion and Hamilton Counties, Indiana
Partnering agencies: 
 Indianapolis Mapping and Geographic Infrastructure Systems (IMAGIS)
 Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)
The lead for mitigation planning efforts is the area emergency management 
agency. 

Pilot Project Community Risk Assessment Objectives and Focus Areas
City of Portland, Oregon
 Focus on performing a refined analysis for earthquake and flood, and using 
HAZUS-MH as a support tool to consider the landslide and wildfire hazards.  
 Portland includes a strong GIS capability, refined local data for hazards, 
and a strong knowledge of HAZUS-MH.
 The local team was experienced with HAZUS-MH and supported refinement of 
the HAZUS-MH provided data.

Hazard Mitigation Team Members and Risk Assessment Support Team
Primary team members:
 FEMA Headquarters and Region IX
 State of Oregon Office of Emergency Management
 Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI)
 City of Portland Office of Emergency Management
 FEMA Consultants for Portland, Oregon Partnering agencies: 
 City of Portland Bureau of Technology Services
 City of Portland Bureau of Environmental Services
 City of Portland Bureau of Planning
 Metro Regional Service
 Multnomah County Office of Emergency Management
 Clackamas County Emergency Management

The earthquake and flood hazards were analyzed using HAZUS-MH. Exposure was 
calculated for the landslide and wildfire hazards with HAZUS-MH support and 
local hazard area maps provided by the community.  



Step 1: Identify Hazards

Overview
The first step in the risk assessment process is to identify hazards that are of 
interest in your area. This will help you focus on the most important hazards 
facing your community or region.

Your hazards of interest will be influenced by the extent of your study region, 
which will be established as part of Task 1.1. Task 1.2 involves developing your 
study region base map, which includes important features for your community. 
Task 1.3 involves listing the potential hazards of interest for your study 
region. This step discusses each of these tasks. Examples of how pilot project 
communities addressed this step are also provided. Worksheets 1-1 and 1-2 at the 
end of this step can help your risk assessment team identify and document 
hazards on which to focus your risk assessment. The tasks and outputs for Step 1 
are shown in Figure 1-1. 

Figure 1-1: Step 1 tasks and outputs
Step 1: Identify Hazards
Tasks--
1.1 define your study region
1.2 create a base map of your study region
1.3 identify hazards of interest
Outputs--
--study region
--base map
--list of hazards of interest (see worksheets 1-1 and 1-2)

Sidebar: Definition: FEMA defines a hazard as a source of potential danger or 
adverse condition. Natural phenomena like earthquakes and floods represent 
hazards when they have a potential to harm people or property. When a hazard 
occurs in a particular location, it is referred to as a hazard event.


Define Your Study Region (Task 1.1) 
Before identifying the principal hazards in your area, you must first define the 
boundaries of your study region. Defining your study region means identifying 
the specific geographic area that your risk assessment will address. Your study 
region may encompass a single jurisdiction or may focus on a multi-
jurisdictional geographic area. Considerations for both single- and multi-
jurisdictional study regions are described below.
  
1.  Single-jurisdiction boundaries. For this approach, you will define the area 
within your jurisdictional boundaries (e.g., city or town limits) as your study 
region. This is appropriate in cases where the organization of emergency 
management functions and the local data available focus on one community or a 
single jurisdictional area.

2.  Multi-jurisdictional boundaries. Where counties, cities, towns, and 
communities implement multi-jurisdictional mitigation planning efforts and risk 
assessments by pooling resources, the study region could be defined by the 
geographic boundaries of the participating jurisdictions. This approach should 
be considered when counties, cities, or towns are in close proximity; when 
emergency planning is coordinated across jurisdictions; and when a region faces 
a common or shared hazard threat. For example, an area such as a watershed could 
be defined as a study region, to support analysis of hazard impacts on an area 
managed by multiple organizations to protect specific, natural resources. 

Sidebar: HAZUS-MH software: The HAZUS-MH Setup DVD-ROM is required to create a 
study region. This DVD-ROM comes with the software and includes HAZUS-MH data 
for your area.

Start HAZUS-MH
To create a study region in HAZUS-MH, first launch HAZUS-MH on your computer by 
double-clicking the HAZUS-MH icon. The startup menu will be the first dialogue 
box displayed when you run HAZUS-MH for the first time. Figure 1-2 displays the 
first dialogue box that appears when HAZUS-MH is launched. Options for beginning 
will appear as choices. Select Create a new region, and click on the OK 
button. 


Figure 1-2: HAZUS-MH startup menu. Graphic showing a computer screenshot of the 
startup menu, on which the "Create a new region" option has been selected.


Create a Study Region
After the Create a new region function has been activated, the Setup Wizard 
will guide you through the steps required to create a study region. Figure 1-3 
shows the first menu that will be displayed; this menu allows you to enter a 
name and a description for your study region.


Figure 1-3: Entering the study region name. Graphic showing a computer 
screenshot of the Study Region Name dialog box, in which the region name and 
description have been entered.


Figure 1-4 shows the next menu, which requests that you select the types of 
hazards to be analyzed. This menu represents the current hazard models included 
in HAZUS-MH. It is recommended that you select all of the hazards when setting 
up your study region. Once you define your study region and select hazards, you 
cannot add more hazards as you progress. If you want to drop hazards later in 
the process, you can simply stop using the menus for those hazards in HAZUS-MH. 
It should be pointed out that your selection of hazards in HAZUS-MH is not 
related to Task 1.3, where you will identify all of the hazards of interest that 
threaten your study region. 


Figure 1-4: Selecting hazards. Graphic showing a computer screenshot of the 
Hazard Type dialog box, with checkboxes for selecting hazards.


Sidebar: Note: It is important that adequate disk space be available before you 
start the aggregation process. The minimum recommended disk space is 10 GB, 
which will provide the capacity for three scenarios for a study region.   


Select a Level of Aggregation
The next activity is to select an aggregation level, as shown in Figure 1-5. You 
can select the state, county, or Census tract level.  HAZUS-MH allows 
aggregation at different levels, the smallest of which is generally the Census 
tract for the earthquake and hurricane modules, and the census block for the 
flood module. The aggregation level is either equal to or smaller than the study 
region. A smaller aggregation level provides more detail. The aggregation level 
represents the scale at which population and general building stock values will 
be evaluated to estimate losses for your risk assessment study (Step 4).


Figure 1-5: Aggregation level menu. Graphic showing a computer screenshot of the 
Aggregation Level dialog box, with checkboxes for defining the study region at 
one of four aggregation levels.


Figure 1-6 shows the menu list for selecting the state or states included in 
your study region. Only one state should be selected unless your study region 
crosses state lines. To select a state, simply click on the states name in the 
pull-down menu. To select multiple states, hold down the <Ctrl> key and click on 
the names of all the states to be included. In Figure 1-6, the user has selected 
the State of Washington. When you have finished selecting the state or states, 
click on the Next button.


Figure 1-6: State selection list. Graphic showing a computer screenshot of the 
State Selection dialog box, in which the state or states for the study region 
can be selected from a dropdown list.


Alternatively, you can select the state or states in your study region by 
clicking on the Show map button and then on the applicable areas on the map 
shown in Figure 1-7. To select multiple states, hold down the <Ctrl> key while 
clicking on the desired states. Click on the Selection Done button when you 
are finished to move to the next activity.


Figure 1-7: Graphic showing a computer screenshot of the alternative, map-based 
state selection dialog box.


After the state or states have been chosen, you will be prompted to select the 
relevant counties within each state included in the study region by clicking on 
the names of those counties in the menu, as shown in Figure 1-8. You can select 
multiple counties by holding down the <Ctrl> key and clicking on the names of 
the desired counties. When you have finished selecting the counties, click on 
the Next button. Alternatively, you can click on the Show map button and 
choose the counties from a map of the state as shown in Figure 1-9. Click on the 
Selection Done button when you are finished to move to the next activity.


Figure 1-8: County selection list. Graphic showing a computer screenshot of the 
County Selection dialog box, in which the county or counties for the study 
region can be selected from a dropdown list.


Figure 1-9: County selection map. Graphic showing a computer screenshot of the 
alternative, map-based county selection dialog box.


After a county or counties have been selected, a list of all of the Census 
tracts in each selected county will appear (see Figure 1-10). Alternatively, you 
can select the Census tracts that define your study region from the list of 
tracts or from a map (see Figure 1-11). Census tracts selected for the study 
region do not have to be sequentially numbered or adjoining. The map is useful 
when you know the areas of interest, but not all of the specific Census tract 
numbers of interest.


Figure 1-10: Census tract selection list. Graphic showing a computer screenshot 
of the Census Tract Selection dialog box, in which the census tract or tracts 
for the study region can be selected from a dropdown list.


Figure 1-11 Census tract selection map. Graphic showing a computer screenshot of 
the alternative, map-based census tract selection dialog box.


When you have selected the Census tracts for your study region, click on the 
Next or Selection Done button, as applicable. A processing status window 
will appear and will indicate the progress of aggregation. At this point, you 
will be prompted to load a DVD-ROM containing the HAZUS-MH provided inventory 
data for your state(s) of interest. The DVD-ROM is provided with the HAZUS-MH 
software.

Congratulations! You have now defined your study region and can proceed to 
create your base map.

Sidebar: Reference: FEMA HAZUS-MH courses can help you learn more about using 
GIS to support HAZUS-MH. Additional information on HAZUS-MH training 
opportunities can be found at:
http://www.fema.gov/hazus/tr_main.shtm.


Create a Base Map of Your Study Region (Task 1.2)
Once your study region is defined, you will use HAZUS-MH to create a base map 
that graphically presents the defined area. The base map should be shared with 
your risk assessment team to support hazard identification and to provide a 
common frame of reference throughout the risk assessment. The base map also is 
useful for describing your study region to stakeholders and for focusing the 
risk assessment team on identifying hazards. Base map layers might include the 
study region boundary, jurisdictional boundaries, and geographic frames of 
reference, including roads, water bodies, hospitals, and schools. 


Base Map Using HAZUS-MH Provided Data
HAZUS-MH will include maps with features that are important to your study 
region. You may want to create several map layers showing different features for 
your intended audiences. You can create a base map showing HAZUS-MH provided 
data such as demographic or economic information derived from the most recent 
Census. You can also show buildings, roads, rivers, coastlines, and place names. 
The data layer functions in HAZUS-MH will help you map and view HAZUS-MH 
provided data. Base maps always should include a north arrow, legend, title, 
date, and scale. 


Base Maps Using Local Data
Local data can be added to your HAZUS-MH base map to supplement provided data, 
establish location and main characteristics of key natural and physical 
inventories, and reflect features important to your community.  HAZUS-MH runs 
from Environmental Systems Research Institute Inc.s (ESRIs) ArcGIS platform. 
Before local GIS data are imported into HAZUS-MH, they must be in a format 
compatible with ArcGIS. The GIS data also must be projected in the correct 
coordinate system. To be compatible with HAZUS-MH, data often must be converted 
and projected, as described below.


Data Conversion. Local source data selected for use in the HAZUS-MH base map may 
be in hard copy or electronic format. Hard copy maps need to be digitized and 
converted to the ArcGIS format. A digitizing tablet will be required for this 
activity. For more information on the digitizing process, consult your tablets 
instruction manual. These electronic data will include electronic maps and data 
tables. Electronic data may have been developed using a number of software 
packages such as MapInfo, Intergraph, and AutoCAD. If you have a GIS layer that 
needs to be converted into the ArcGIS format, follow the directions below.

1. Open the ArcGIS folder and select the ArcToolbox icon.
2. Select Conversion Tools and then Import to Shapefile (see Figure 1-12).
3. Select the option that corresponds to your data. For example, if you are 
converting data from MapInfo to ArcGIS, you would select the MapInfo (MIF) to 
Shapefile option.
4. Select your source data file. For the example above, you would select the 
MapInfo file.
5. Select a prompted menu and choose the destination folder. This is the 
location where the new shapefile will be created. The folders name and location 
are not constrained by HAZUS-MH. You should develop a folder system that is 
clear to you and others on your team who may need to access this information.
6. Select OK in the menu box.


Sidebar: Definition: Digitizer:  A device used to convert hard copy maps into an 
electronic format. The digitizer consists of an electronic tablet that is 
overlain with the paper map. A puck is then used to trace the map features and 
electronic data are created.


Figure 1-12: ArcToolbox data conversion utility. Graphic showing a screenshot of 
the folders in the ArcToolbox data conversion utility.


Data Projection. All data used by HAZUS-MH must be in the same projection, or 
coordinate system. Your local base map data needs to be in the 
Latitude/Longitude (Lat/Long) coordinate system, (WGS84) datum, and in decimal 
degrees. If your data are not in the correct projection, follow the directions 
below.

1.Open the ArcGIS folder and select the ArcToolbox icon.
2. Select Projections and then Define Projection Wizard 
(overlaps/grids/TINs) (see Figure 1-13).
3. Select your shapefile by browsing to its location.
4. Select Next, and then select the coordinate system in which your shapefile 
resides. If you are unsure about your current data projection, view the metadata 
file. Typically, this file is named after your shapefile and has a .met, 
.html, or .xml extension. For example, if you had a soil map called 
soils.shp, the metadata file would be called soils.html. The metadata file 
should show the projection used.
5. Select Next and then Finish. You have now assigned the current projection 
to your data set.  
6. Select Projections and then Project Wizard (shapefiles).
7. Select your shapefile by browsing to its location.
8. Select Next, and then browse to the folder where the new shapefile will be 
created.
9. Select Next, and then select the Lat/Long projection.
10. Select OK and then Next and your correctly projected shapefile will be 
created.


Figure 1-13: ArcToolbox data projection utility. Graphic showing a screenshot of 
folders and files in the ArcToolbox data projection utility.


Display Local Data on Your Base Map
You can now bring your local base map data directly into your HAZUS-MH study 
region. Select Add Layer under File on the HAZUS-MH main menu, and browse to 
your local data (see Figure 1-14). Your data can be displayed on the base map 
using the same standard symbols that you use for other mapping purposes. All of 
the ArcGIS functionality is preserved when you bring the data into HAZUS-MH.


Figure 1-14: Adding local base map data. Graphic showing a screenshot of the Add 
Data dialog box, which shows a list of local data that can be added to the base 
map.


After all of the layers are visible and symbolized logically, select View from 
the main menu, then Layout View. A base map containing your study region will 
be generated with a title, description, legend, scale, date, and the HAZUS-MH 
logo. This layout can be used as-is or can be further developed and edited to 
complement other maps you create. To save your base map, select File from the 
main menu, then Save.  

Congratulations! You have now created your base map and can proceed to identify 
hazards of interest.


Identify Hazards of Interest (Task 1.3) 
Task 1.3 will help you to identify hazards of interest in your study region and 
to focus on further risk assessment efforts. This initial list of hazards of 
interest is intended to ensure the risk assessment team has considered the range 
of likely hazards that could impact your study region. This list will typically 
be developed based on community input, the professional judgment of the team, 
and local knowledge of past hazard events.   
 
This list can be developed by collecting data, having meetings with 
knowledgeable personnel, and using your own information regarding hazards that 
are, or might become, priority concerns in your area. Your initial list of 
hazards will be used to document all of the hazards considered; those dropped 
from consideration in Step 1; and those carried forward for further evaluation 
under Step 2, Profile Hazards.  

This section presents an overview of various natural hazards that could occur in 
your study region. This section also discusses how you can manage your hazard 
data and provides a foundation for further study in Step 2.


Potential Hazards of Interest and HAZUS-MH
The general perception of natural hazards is that earthquakes occur in 
California, floods in many riverine and coastal locations, tornadoes in the 
Midwest, and hurricanes along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. Although there is 
some truth to this perception as it relates to the highest probabilities for 
each hazard, hazard maps show that the entire United States is vulnerable to one 
or more of these primary natural hazards. Earthquakes are predominant in the 
West, but also threaten specific regions in the Midwest, Northeast, and 
Southeast. Riverine floods occur along rivers, largely but not exclusively in 
the Midwest, and coastal flooding is associated with storm surges caused by high 
winds. Flash floods caused by sudden, intense rainstorms may occur anywhere. 
Extreme winds are regional (e.g., hurricanes along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, 
the Caribbean, and the South Pacific; tornadoes typically in the Midwest; and 
downslope winds adjoining mountain ranges), but high winds can also occur 
anywhere.  

Hazards that may affect your study region are discussed below. The hazards 
include those that can be evaluated using HAZUS-MH and those that can be 
evaluated with HAZUS-MH support. Hazards that can be evaluated using HAZUS-MH 
are earthquakes, floods (coastal and riverine), and hurricanes; therefore, these 
three hazards are presented first. Step 2 provides a detailed discussion and 
sources of information on the hazards.


Earthquakes
The surface of the earth consists of solid masses, called tectonic plates, that 
float on a liquid core. The areas where separate plates meet each other are 
called faults. An earthquake is a sudden movement of the earths crust caused by 
the abrupt release of strain that has accumulated over a long period of time. 
Records show that some seismic zones in the United States experience moderate to 
major earthquakes approximately every 50 to 70 years, while other areas have 
recurrence intervals for the same size earthquake of about 200 to 400 years. 
Records also show that building inventories in 39 states are vulnerable to 
earthquake damage. Most of the well-known areas of strain, or faults, are 
located in the Western United States, where most recent earthquakes have 
occurred. However, the Eastern and Central United States are also vulnerable to 
devastating earthquakes. Earthquake risk is related to the following factors:  
a) ground motion; b) fault rupture under or near a building, often occurring in 
buildings located close to faults; c) reduction of the soil bearing capacity 
under or near a building; d) earthquake-induced landslides near a building; and 
e) earthquake-induced waves in bodies of water near a building (tsunami on the 
ocean and seismic seiche on lakes).  

Earthquakes are low probability, high-consequence events. Although they may 
occur only once in the lifetime of a particular asset, they can have devastating 
effects. Moderate earthquakes occur more frequently than major earthquakes. 
Nevertheless, a moderate earthquake can cause serious damage to unreinforced 
buildings (i.e., unreinforced masonry buildings, buildings constructed without 
seismic requirements, or buildings designed to obsolete standards), building 
contents, and non-structural systems, and can cause serious disruption in 
building operations. Major earthquakes can cause catastrophic damage, including 
collapse and massive loss of life.  

Earthquake fault rupture causes ground motion over a wide area. This ground 
motion acts as a powerful force on the building inventory. The most drastic 
effects occur chiefly near the causative fault where there is often appreciable 
ground displacement as well as strong ground shaking. As the shaking propagates 
to the surface, it may be amplified depending on the intensity of shaking, 
topography, nature of the rock, and, above all, by the surface soil type 
(earthquake damage tends to be more severe in areas of soft soils) and depth. 
Impact to the building can depend on the type of earthquake waves (i.e., whether 
they are quick and abrupt or slow and rolling).  

Structures subject to earthquake risk must be designed for higher force 
resistance if they are located on poor soils. Most structures are principally 
designed to resist the force of gravity, but resistance to earthquake forces 
requires specialized earthquake engineering. Horizontal earthquake forces cause 
rapid movement of the foundation and displacement of upper levels of the 
structure. When inadequately designed to resist or accommodate these earthquake 
forces, structures fail, leading to serious structural damage, and, in the worst 
case, total collapse.  
Moderate and even very large earthquakes are inevitable, although very 
infrequent, in areas of normally low seismic activity. Consequently, in these 
regions buildings are seldom designed to deal with an earthquake threat; 
therefore, they are extremely vulnerable. In many parts of the United States, 
the greatest earthquake risk is associated with buildings that were designed and 
constructed before the use of modern building codes. For many parts of the 
United States, this includes structures built as recently as the early 1990s. In 
other places, such as California, the earthquake threat is quite familiar and 
adequate building codes have taken this threat into consideration since the mid-
1970s.

An earthquake is a primary hazard included in HAZUS-MH. In addition, hazard 
event data are included with the software. You can determine earthquake risk by 
using the data provided in HAZUS-MH.  


Floods (Coastal and Riverine)  
Flooding is a common hazard in the United States, affecting over 20,000 local 
jurisdictions. Several evaluations have estimated that 10 percent of the 
Nations land area is subjected to flooding. Some communities have very little 
land that is identified as exposed to flooding, although others lie entirely 
within the floodplain. Floods are fairly specific and predictable in their 
location, and effective design against floods is less a matter of design concept 
than of siting. A building can be located in such a way that floods will never 
be a problem; however, our floodplains are full of existing buildings. 

Flooding is a natural process that may occur in a variety of forms: long-
duration flooding along rivers that drain large watersheds; flash floods that 
send a devastating wall of water down a mountain canyon; and coastal flooding 
that accompanies high tides and on-shore winds, hurricanes, and Noreasters. 
Flooding is only considered a problem when human development is located in 
flood-prone areas. Problems can result, exposing people to dangerous situations 
and property to damage, but also disrupting the natural function of floodplains 
and redirecting surface flows onto lands that are not normally subject to 
flooding.

The flood hazard can be characterized by a relationship between the depth of 
flooding and the annual chance of inundation to that depth. Depth, duration, and 
velocity of water are the primary factors contributing to flood losses. Other 
impacts associated with flooding that contribute to losses include channel 
erosion and migration, sediment deposition, bridge scour, and the impact of 
flood-borne debris.


Sidebar: Reference: Manmade hazards are an increasing concern. FEMA has 
developed the Risk Management Series to help communities assess and address 
these hazards.  Documents are available at:
http://www.fema.gov/fima/rmsp.shtm


Flood frequency studies define the flood hazard in terms of the chance that a 
certain magnitude of flooding is exceeded in any given year. What is commonly 
called the 100-year flood is not a flood that occurs every 100 years, but is a 
flood that has a 1 percent chance of occurring in any year. Flood magnitude is 
usually measured as discharge value, flood elevation, or depth. For example, the 
100-year flood elevation is the elevation at the point of interest that has a 1 
percent annual chance of being exceeded by floodwaters. Using the flood hazard 
frequency convention, flood hazard is defined by a relation between depth of 
flooding and annual chance of inundation greater than that depth. This relation 
is called a depth-frequency curve.

Coastal flooding refers to the inundation of land areas along the oceanic coast 
caused by sea waters over and above normal tidal action. Coastal flooding is 
experienced along the Atlantic, Gulf, and Pacific coasts, and many larger lakes, 
including the Great Lakes. Coastal flooding is influenced by storm surges 
associated with tropical cyclonic weather systems (hurricanes, tropical storms, 
tropical depressions, typhoons), extratropical systems (Noreasters), and 
tsunamis (surges induced by seismic activity). Coastal flooding also is 
generally characterized by wind-driven waves. Wind-driven waves affect reaches 
along the Great Lakes shorelines, where wind blowing across the broad expanses 
of water generate wind-driven waves that can rival those experienced along 
oceanic coastal shorelines. Some Great Lakes shorelines experience coastal 
erosion, in part associated with fluctuations in water levels.  

Riverine flooding is due to the accumulation of runoff from rainfall or snowmelt 
such that the volume of flow exceeds the capacity of waterway channels and 
therefore, water spreads out over the adjacent land. Riverine flooding flows 
downstream under the force of gravity. Inundation, duration, and velocity are 
functions of many factors, including watershed size and slope, degree of 
upstream development, soil types, nature and extent of vegetation, steepness of 
the topography, and characteristics of the storm (or depth of snowpack and 
rapidity of melting). 
Riverine and coastal flood hazards are primary hazards included in HAZUS-MH. You 
can determine riverine and coastal flood hazards risk by using the data provided 
in HAZUS-MH.


Hurricanes
A hurricane is a severe tropical storm that forms in the southern Atlantic 
Ocean, Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, or eastern Pacific Ocean under the 
following conditions:  warm, tropical oceans; moist air; and light winds. If the 
right conditions last long enough, a hurricane can result and can produce 
violent winds, enormous waves, torrential rains, and floods. On average, six 
Atlantic hurricanes occur each year. When hurricanes move onto land, associated 
rain, strong winds, and large waves can damage buildings, trees, and cars.  

Hurricanes are grouped into five categories according to their prevailing wind 
speeds, with Category 5 hurricane winds exceeding 155 miles per hour (mph) and 
having a minimum sustained speed of 74 mph. High sustained winds may cause 
extensive structural damage to buildings and houses. These winds can also roll 
cars, blow over trees, and erode beaches (both by blowing sand and by blowing 
waves against the beach). 

Hurricanes can trigger storm surges, tornadoes, and extensive and damaging 
inland flooding. While storm surge is always a potential threat, more people 
have died from inland flooding associated with hurricanes in the last 30 years. 
Intense rainfall, as much as 10 to 12 inches in 48 hours, is not directly 
related to the wind speed of tropical storms. In fact, some of the greatest 
rainfall amounts occur from weaker storms that drift slowly or stall over an 
area.  Inland flooding can be a major threat to communities hundreds of miles 
from the coast as intense rain falls from these huge tropical air masses.

In terms of wind interaction with buildings, hurricanes create both positive and 
negative (i.e., suction) pressures. A particular building must have sufficient 
strength to resist the applied wind loads in order to prevent wind-induced 
building failure or damage. The magnitude of the pressure is a function of 
building exposure. Building exposure is based on characteristics of the ground 
roughness and surface irregularities in the vicinity of a building that 
influence the wind loading. Exposure can be explained in terms of the roughest 
terrain and the smoothest. Rough terrain includes urban, suburban, and wooded 
areas. Smooth terrain includes flat open terrain with scattered obstructions and 
areas adjacent to water surfaces in hurricane-prone areas. The smoother the 
terrain, the greater the wind loads. Important factors regarding building 
vulnerability include:
-- Topography (abrupt changes in topography)
-- Building height (relationship between the wind speed and the height of the 
building above the ground)
-- Internal pressure (wind can cause either an increase in the pressure within 
the building, known as positive pressure, or it can cause a decrease in 
pressure, known as negative pressure)
-- Aerodynamic pressures (interactions between the wind and the building 
affecting primarily the roof corners)

Hurricanes are a primary hazard included in HAZUS-MH. Historic event data are 
included with the software. You can determine hurricane hazards risk by using 
the data provided in HAZUS-MH.


Landslides
Landslides are rock, earth, or debris flows on slopes due to gravity. They can 
occur on any terrain, given the right conditions of soil, moisture, and the 
angle of slope. Integral to the natural process of the earths surface geology, 
landslides serve to redistribute soil and sediments in a process that can 
include abrupt collapses or slow gradual slides. Landslides are a widespread 
geologic hazard and result in about $2 billion in damages and more than 25 
fatalities annually. They pose a serious threat to highways and buildings and 
commonly occur in association with other major natural disasters such as 
earthquakes and floods. Landslides can be triggered by other hazards, but also 
can take place independently. 
 
Landslides can occur in developed or undeveloped areas, and in any area where 
the terrain was altered for roads, houses, utilities, buildings, or even for 
backyard lawns. Factors affecting landslides can be geophysical or manmade. The 
resulting slurry of rock and mud may pick up trees, houses, and cars, thus 
blocking bridges and tributaries and causing flooding along its path. Any area 
composed of weak or fractured materials resting on a steep slope can, and will 
likely, experience landslides. Landslides occur in all 50 states with varying 
frequency and more than half of the states have rates sufficient to classify 
landslides as a significant natural hazard.  

As discussed in Step 4, HAZUS-MH can support your exposure assessment of the 
landslide hazard. 
 

Tornadoes
Tornadoes are one of natures most violent storms.  A tornado can be defined as 
a rapidly rotating column of air extending from the base of a thunderstorm to 
the ground. In an average year, approximately 1,000 tornadoes are reported 
across the United States, resulting in 80 deaths and over 1,500 injuries. The 
most violent tornadoes, with wind speeds of 250 mph or more, are capable of 
tremendous destruction. Damage paths can be more than 1 mile wide and 50 miles 
long. Tornadoes can occur anywhere in the United States, but they are most 
common in the Great Plains region that includes parts of Texas, Oklahoma, 
Kansas, and Nebraska. Tornadoes are responsible for the greatest number of wind-
related deaths each year in the United States.

Tornadoes come in all shapes and sizes. In the southern states, peak tornado 
season is March through May; peak months in the northern states are during the 
summer. Tornadoes can also occur in thunderstorms that develop in warm, moist 
air masses in advance of eastward-moving cold fronts. These thunderstorms often 
produce large hail and strong winds, in addition to tornadoes. During the spring 
in the central plains, thunderstorms frequently develop along a dryline, which 
separates warm, moist air to the east from hot, dry air to the west. Tornado-
producing thunderstorms may form as the dryline moves east during the afternoon 
hours. Along the front range of the Rocky Mountains, in the Texas panhandle, and 
in the southern high plains, thunderstorms frequently form as air near the 
ground flows upslope toward higher terrain. If other favorable conditions 
exist, these thunderstorms can produce tornadoes. Tornadoes occasionally 
accompany tropical storms and hurricanes that move over land. They are most 
common to the right and ahead of the path of the storm center as it comes 
onshore.

As discussed in Step 4, HAZUS-MH can support your exposure assessment of the 
tornado hazard.


Tsunamis
Tsunamis are a series of very long waves generated by rapid, large-scale 
disturbances of the sea. Most tsunamis are generated by sea floor displacements 
resulting from large undersea earthquakes. Oceanographers often refer to 
tsunamis as seismic sea waves because they are usually the result of a sudden 
rise or fall of a section of the earths crust under or near the ocean. A 
seismic disturbance can displace the water column, creating a rise or fall in 
the level of the ocean above. This rise or fall in sea level is the initial 
formation of a tsunami wave. Tsunami waves can also be created by volcanic 
activity and landslides occurring above or below the sea surface. These types of 
activities produce tsunamis with much less energy than those produced by 
submarine faulting. The size and energy of these tsunamis dissipates rapidly 
with increasing distance from the source, thus resulting in more localized 
devastation. 

Tsunamis can quickly inflict great damage on shore areas near their source.  
Some tsunamis can cause destruction across an entire ocean basin within hours. 
Most tsunamis occur in the Pacific region, but they can occur in every ocean and 
sea. There have been tsunamis in most oceans of the world, but most notably in 
the Pacific Ocean. The coastline of Hilo, Hawaii, has seen inundation several 
times and a major earthquake in Alaska in 1964 resulted in a tsunami with a 
height of 6 meters in Crescent City, California, killing several people. 

Just like other water waves, tsunamis begin to lose energy as they rush onshore; 
part of the wave energy is reflected offshore, while the shoreward-propagating 
wave energy is dissipated through bottom friction and turbulence. Despite these 
losses, tsunamis still reach the coast with tremendous amounts of energy. 
Tsunamis have a great potential to cause erosion, stripping beaches of sand that 
may have taken years to accumulate and undermining trees and other coastal 
vegetation. Capable of inundating, or flooding, hundreds of yards inland past 
the typical high-water level, the fast-moving water associated with the 
inundating tsunami can crush homes and other coastal structures. Tsunamis may 
reach a maximum vertical height onshore above sea level, often called a run-up 
height, of 10, 20, and even 30 meters.

As discussed in Step 4, HAZUS-MH can support your exposure assessment of the 
tsunami hazard.  


Wildfires
A wildfire is an undesirable fire occurring in the natural environment and is a 
serious and growing hazard over much of the United States. Wildfires pose a 
great threat to life and property, particularly when they move from forest or 
rangeland into developed areas. An average of 5 million acres burns every year 
in the United States as a result of wildfires, causing millions of dollars in 
damage. Each year more than 100,000 wildfires occur in the United States, almost 
90 percent of which are started by humans; the rest are caused by lightning. 
Weather is one of the most significant factors in determining the severity of 
wildfires. The intensity of fires and the rate with which they spread is 
directly related to wind speed, temperature, and relative humidity. Climatic 
conditions such as long-term drought also play a major role in the number and 
the intensity of wildfires. 

As discussed in Step 4, HAZUS-MH can support your exposure assessment of the 
wildfire hazard.  


Other Hazards
Other hazards that may affect your study region include avalanches, coastal 
erosion, dam failures, drought, expansive soils, extreme heat, hailstorms, land 
subsidence, severe winter storms, volcanoes, and manmade hazards. For some of 
these hazards, the HAZUS-MH framework can support mapping of hazard areas and 
exposure assessments.   


Documenting Hazards of Interest
Worksheet 1-1 provides a tool to help you list hazards of interest and historic 
data sources that are readily available. Worksheet 1-2 summarizes the hazards 
you explored and the hazards you decided to carry forward for additional 
analysis in Step 2. Worksheets 1-1 and 1-2 can be used as tools to explain 
hazards that impact the community to team members, decision-makers, and 
community stakeholders. Example 1-1 illustrates how Worksheets 1-1 and 1-2 were 
used for a FEMA pilot project in Austin, Texas.

At this stage, you can mark potential areas of concern (e.g., areas where floods 
or tornadoes have occurred in the past) on your base map, either electronically 
or by hand-drawing the areas. Later, you can refine these maps or import hazard 
area maps as part of Step 2, Profile Hazards.

Congratulations! You have now a list of preliminary hazards of interest in your 
study region.


Summary
During Step 1 you should have defined your study region, created a base map, and 
identified the potential hazards for your area. Table 1-1 will help you make 
sure you have completed these activities. Review the list below and add check 
marks in the third column where you have completed the activities or outputs 
indicated.

Table 1-1: Identify Hazards Activities and Outputs Checklist 

Activity: Define your study region (Task 1.1)
Output: HAZUS-MH study region with hazards selected
	Defined study region
	Data files aggregated at the proper level
	
Activity: Create a base map of your study region (Task 1.2)
Output: Base map with local GIS data incorporated into HAZUS-MH
	Local data properly converted and projected
	Base map with HAZUS-MH provided layers
	Local data layers added to the base map	

Activity: Identify hazards of interest (Task 1.3)
Output:	Worksheet 1-1 (Identify Your Hazards)
	List of hazards of interest for your study region
	Include hazard event descriptions and corresponding list of data sources, 
as available
Output: Worksheet 1-2 (Summary of Hazard Identification)
	Summarize hazards of interest
	Summarize the data you collected for those hazards	

Complete any missing items in your checklist, and then continue to Step 2. 

GO TO STEP 2: PROFILE HAZARDS


Worksheet 1-1: Identify Your Hazards
To complete Worksheet 1-1, first check the box in the Hazard of Interest 
column next to each potential hazard that could occur in your study region. If 
you are unsure about a hazard, select it at this stage of the process.

Hazard or Event Description - For hazards for which you have some preliminary 
data, list that information below. This will serve as a starting point to 
identify the hazards that affect your community and to fill out Worksheet 1-2. 
Information you may list below includes the type of hazard and any summary 
information on the dates of hazard events, numbers of injuries, costs, areas 
impacted, and damages and losses that occurred (see example). 

The example is shown as an entry in a table with four columns: Potential Hazard, 
Hazard of Interest, Description, and Source of Information. The Potential Hazard 
column includes entries for a variety of hazards (shown in bold type, italics, 
or bold italics) and allows for the inclusion of additional hazards in rows 
titled "Other." In the example, the Potential Hazard is hurricane and the 
following information has been entered in the Description and Source of 
Information columns: 
Description: Hurricane Hugo.  Sept. 21-22, 1989. Charleston, SC. Struck Francis 
Marion National Forest, about 20 miles northeast of the city. Highest storm 
surge near Cape Romain (15-20 feet, 10-12 feet near the Harbor). Left wide path 
of damage with hurricane conditions as far inland as Charlotte, NC. Highest 
winds were in northern Charleston County where Category 4 conditions were 
experienced. Winds of 78-100 mph recorded at Charleston Airport. Much higher 
downtown (120 mph). Highest wind speed recorded by Coast Guard Cutter in Cooper 
River (138 mph winds). Over $7 billion in damages and 82 deaths associated with 
this event.
Source of Information: NOAA web site, historic newspapers

Notes for the table: HAZUS-MH includes hazard event data for the earthquake and 
hurricane hazards. Use the rows titled "Other" to specify other hazards of 
interest in your area. Hazards in bold are discussed further in Step 2. Hazards 
in italics are included in HAZUS-MH.


WORKSHEET 1-2: SUMMARY OF HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION
Hazard or Event Description - Worksheet 1-2 will help you summarize findings 
from Worksheet 1-1. Use column A to indicate the initial hazards identified by 
the team. Use column B to show hazards of interest carried forward for further 
study based on group discussion and available information regarding the relative 
risk of each hazard in your study region. Summarize event data in the table.

Worksheet 1-2 consists of a list of hazards and a table. The list of hazards 
includes associated checkboxes in two columns: A and B. The table lists the same 
hazards under a column of the same name and includes four columns in which the 
years of occurrence, number of events, impacts (e.g., damage, deaths, injuries), 
and available data sources and maps can be recorded. The hazards listed in the 
table are shown in bold type, italics, or bold italics.

Notes for the table: Hazards in bold are discussed further in Step 2. Hazards in 
italics are addressed as HAZUS-MH models.


EXAMPLE 1-1:  IDENTIFY HAZARDS SUMMARY WORKSHEET FOR AUSTIN, TX
This example summarizes the hazard identification and selection process 
conducted by the risk assessment team in Austin, TX (a pilot project community). 
The table summarizes preliminary data available to support further analysis of 
each of the hazards of interest.

The example is shown as a completed version of Worksheet 1-2, in which data have 
been entered about hazards specific to the Austin study area: Flood (Riverine), 
Hurricane, Dam Failure, Fuel Pipeline Breach, Urban Fire, HazMat Release (fixed 
site), Hailstorm, Tornado, and Severe Winter Storm.



Step 2: Profile Hazards

Overview
The second step in the risk assessment process is to profile the hazards of 
interest in your study region and consider which ones are priorities based on 
their likelihood of occurrence, potential magnitude, and past impacts on your 
community. This step will help you: (1) profile and prioritize hazards for 
further study, (2) communicate concerns and risks to the public and to decision 
makers, and (3) develop hazard scenarios that you will use in Step 4, Estimate 
Losses, for selected hazards. 

Profiling your hazard is a key element in the preparation of your risk 
assessment.  HAZUS-MH will assist you in this process. Task 2.1 helps you access 
data residing in HAZUS-MH. Task 2.2 helps you to perform a data gap analysis to 
understand the quality and relevance of your data and need for additional data 
collection. Task 2.3 helps you to identify the sources for additional data 
collection. Task 2.4 provides information on how to prepare hazard profiles and 
prioritize the hazards that may affect your community. Worksheet 2-1 at the end 
of this step can be used to identify your hazard data. Worksheets 2-2 and 2-3 
can be used to summarize and prioritize your hazards, respectively. The tasks 
and outputs for Step 2 are shown in Figure 2-1.

Figure 2-1. Step 2 tasks and outputs
Step 2: Profile Hazards
Tasks:
2.1: review HAZUS-MH provided hazard data
2.2: perform a data gap analysis
2.3: collect additional hazard data (if needed)
2.4: profile and prioritize hazards
Outputs:
--updated hazard data
--completed profiles
--hazard map summary (Worksheet 2-1)
--hazard profile (Worksheet 2-2)
--hazard prioritization (Worksheet 2-3)

Review HAZUS-MH Provided Hazard Data(Task 2.1)
HAZUS-MH provides information that can help you profile earthquake, flood, and 
hurricane hazards. The text below will help you access and review this data. It 
will also help you understand hazard characteristic data used to assess risk for 
these three hazards.
   
Sidebar: Definition: Hazard Profiling Terms
Hazard event  A specific occurrence of a particular hazard.
Frequency  How often a type of hazard occurs.
Probability  A statistical measure of the likelihood that a hazard event will 
occur. 
Duration  How long a hazard event lasts.
Magnitude  A measure of the severity of a hazard event. The magnitude of a 
given hazard event is usually determined using technical measures that are 
specific to the hazard.
Intensity  A measure of the effect of a hazard event at a particular place.
Hazard areas  Geographic areas within your study region where specific hazard 
events are likely to occur or be more intense.
   

Access HAZUS-MH Provided Earthquake Data
HAZUS-MH provided data includes historic data on the location and magnitude of 
earthquakes that have occurred in the U.S. The HAZUS-MH historical scenario 
menus can be used to view the historic earthquake event data. The steps to 
access this data include:
1. Open the earthquake module and under the Hazard menu, select Scenario on 
the drop-down menu (see Figure 2-2)


Figure 2-2: Earthquake screen. Graphic showing a computer screenshot of the 
earthquake screen, with "Scenario" selected on the Hazard dropdown menu.


2. Select the Define a new scenario option shown in Figure 2-3. Then select 
the Historical epicenter event option under Seismic hazard type (see Figure 2-
4.


Figure 2-3: Ground motion menu. Graphic showing a computer screenshot of the 
Earthquake Hazard Scenario Selection dialog box, with "Define a new scenario" 
selected.


Figure 2-4: Earthquake scenario selection. Graphic showing a computer screenshot 
of the Seismic Hazard Type Selection dialog box, with "Historical epicenter 
event" selected.


3. Click on the Next button, and a window displaying the earthquake epicenter 
database will appear (see Figure 2-5). The database contains epicenter details, 
including the fault name, state, magnitude, fault depth (in kilometers), event 
date, epicenter latitude and longitude, and source of event information.

Figure 2-5: Earthquake epicenter database. Graphic showing a computer screenshot 
of the Epicenter Event Database list. 


4. View earthquake events that have occurred in your particular state for your 
assigned study region. Click on State ID to select the entire column, then 
right click your mouse while you have the column highlighted and select the 
sort option from the menu. Scroll down to your state to view the historic 
events.

5. Map historic epicenters by right clicking the mouse button on a specific 
event record.  Select Map on the option menu and a window will open with 
historical epicenters and your study region plotted. The historical epicenters 
are not physically labeled on the map (see Figure 2-6), but the underlying 
details of the information can be obtained by selecting a specific epicenter and 
then using the select button on the toolbar.


Figure 2-6: Epicenter event map. Graphic showing a computer screenshot of the 
Epicenter event map, with the location of the select button indicated. 


6. Position your mouse directly over the epicenter of interest and click the 
left mouse button once.  Click on Selection Done to return to the database 
list, where the selected epicenter record will be highlighted.

7. Add to the information you recorded in Step 1, Identify Hazards, by 
recording key data from the earthquake epicenter database on Worksheet 1-1 
(e.g., year, fault, location, epicenter, and magnitude).  You will use this 
information to further profile the earthquake hazard as part of Tasks 2.3 and 
2.4.

In addition to historic event data, several local characteristics are important 
to the earthquake hazard and are addressed by HAZUS-MH provided data. These 
characteristics include:  soil type, liquefaction and landslide potential, and 
water depth. HAZUS-MH includes a menu that shows you the assumptions used in a 
HAZUS-MH Level 1 analysis. The assumptions are summarized below:

--The soil type is assumed to be stiff. Definitions of this soil type are 
included in the user manuals for the earthquake hazard (Appendix B of the HAZUS-
MH Earthquake User Manual).
--Liquefaction potential is assumed to be zero (i.e., liquefaction is not 
assumed to be a concern).
--Landslide potential is assumed to be zero (i.e., no potential for landslides 
is assumed).
--Water depth is not included in the provided data. Water depth is the depth to 
groundwater and is only important for the earthquake hazard analysis if 
liquefaction potential exists.

Sidebar: Note: Accessing the map feature also will show you epicenters that may 
affect your study area, but lie in other states. Record these events as well.

Based on these assumptions, HAZUS-MH will provide a Level 1 analysis for your 
risk assessment.  


Access HAZUS-MH Provided Flood Data
Unlike earthquakes and hurricanes, floods are frequent occurrences in most areas 
of the country. HAZUS-MH does not currently provide historic flood event data. 
HAZUS-MH does provide stream gauge data that shows high water marks reached 
during flood events; however, those data do not indicate the year that each high 
water level was reached. Flood zone maps you will integrate to support flood 
analyses address the probability that a flood of a particular intensity will 
occur in a given period of time. For this hazard, instructions in Task 2.3 will 
help you collect the hazard data needed to run HAZUS-MH and profile the flood 
hazard for your study region.
  
Sidebar: Note: As you proceed, remember to keep records of information you have 
found and where you found it. Your records can include data tables from the 
HAZUS-MH provided data, copies of documents, maps, notes regarding to whom you 
talked and when you talked to them, and useful website references.


Access HAZUS-MH Provided Hurricane Data
HAZUS-MH provided hurricane data include historical data on the locations, 
frequencies (dates of events), and magnitudes of hurricanes in the United 
States. The HAZUS-MH historical scenario menus can be used to view all of the 
historical hurricane event data included in HAZUS-MH. The steps to access the 
data for the hurricane hazard include:

1. Under the Hazard menu, select Scenario on the drop-down list (see Figure 2-
7).


Figure 2-7: Hurricane screen. Graphic showing a computer screenshot of the 
hurricane screen, with "Scenario" selected on the Hazard dropdown list.


2. Select Next from the Welcome to the Hurricane Scenario Management Wizard.

3. Select the Historic option in the scenario operation menu.

4. Click on the Next button, and a window (see Figure 2-8) displaying a list 
of historic hurricane events, including the hurricane name, year, peak wind gust 
(in mph), states affected, and landfall states will appear.


Figure 2-8: Hurricane scenario operation. Graphic of a computer screenshot 
showing a list of historic storms and associated data. 


5. Select the Region Filter button on the top right hand side of the screen. 
The table will now display only the hurricane events that have affected your 
study region. Record these events on Worksheet 1-1; you will use this 
information to support further profiling of the hurricane hazard as part of Task 
2.3.

The HAZUS-MH hurricane module also includes information on local characteristics 
that will impact how much damage is incurred should a hurricane occur. This 
information includes regional surface roughness and tree coverage for your study 
region. These maps have been developed from national land use and land cover 
maps. You can view these coverage layers in HAZUS-MH using the parameters 
function under the analysis option. Based on this information, HAZUS-MH will 
provide a Level 1 analysis for your risk assessment.  

Congratulations! You have now accessed hazard data provided in HAZUS-MH. The 
data that you have accessed and reviewed will help you to prepare your risk 
assessment and determine if you need further information to support your written 
hazard profiles. 
 
By now, you should have gained an understanding of the main hazards in your area 
and you may have determined additional information you wish to obtain for 
applying the varying levels of HAZUS-MH analysis. The next step is to consider 
the data you have against the data you may need.


Perform a Data Gap Analysis (Task 2.2)
The data gap analysis is performed to consider the data you have compared to the 
data you may want for your risk assessment. Three areas of potential data gaps 
will be considered: 

1. Hazard data for HAZUS-MH hazard analysis. Job Aid 2-1 in Appendix D 
summarizes the types of hazard maps or characteristic data needed for each level 
of analysis for HAZUS-MH.  
2. Hazard data to map other hazards. This includes hazard area or characteristic 
maps you would like to collect for hazards other than earthquakes, floods, or 
hurricanes. If you wish to map a hazard area in HAZUS-MH, you will need to 
obtain or create certain hazard characteristic maps.  
3. Hazard data not used for mapping but useful for written hazard profiles (all 
hazards). This includes available historic data on events, impacts, severity, 
intensity, and the probability of future hazard events.

These three areas of consideration are described below.


Hazard Data for HAZUS-MH Hazard Analysis 
In order to determine additional local data that you may need for your risk 
assessment, first, review Job Aid 2-1 in Appendix D. This Job Aid shows the 
hazard data that HAZUS-MH requires for various levels of analysis. Consider what 
level of locally-added hazard data is realistic given your risk assessment 
timeline, resources, and needs.  

If you decide to run a HAZUS-MH Level 2 analysis, Worksheet 2-1 will help you 
review the hazard characteristic information you need. Complete Worksheet 2-1 at 
the end of this step. First check the box in the Hazard of Interest column for 
each hazard that you identified as a hazard of interest on Worksheet 1-1. The 
hazard profile maps and data that will support analysis using HAZUS-MH are 
shown. These maps and data also will help you prepare your written hazard 
profiles (Task 2.4).  

After completing Worksheet 2-1, for the earthquake, flood, and hurricane 
hazards, you will have a better understanding of the data you have and the data 
you may need to run a HAZUS-MH Level 2 or Level 3 analysis. Also, you will have 
an idea of the amount of work and resources that may be required to obtain 
additional, local data. At this point, you may decide to substitute large 
segments of HAZUS-MH provided data or you may become aware that a more complex 
level of HAZUS-MH analysis is not feasible. In the latter case, you may choose 
to use HAZUS-MH provided data in combination with limited local data or run a 
HAZUS-MH Level 1 analysis initially and work toward a Level 2 analysis as local 
data become available. Remember, a HAZUS-MH Level 1 analysis may be sufficient 
for your mitigation plan in terms of earthquakes, floods, and hurricanes. 

Sidebar: HAZUS software: Some communities are developing partnerships with a 
wide range of parties through HAZUS-MH User Groups (HUGs). A HUG is a group of 
stakeholders who work together to develop local data and apply HAZUS-MH. Your 
regional HUG can be a great source of information for your risk assessment. It 
can assist you with local data collection, refinement, and preparation for input 
into HAZUS-MH. Check with your local planning contacts or FEMA regional office 
to see if a HUG exists in your region. Additional information on HUGs can be 
found on FEMAs website at http://www.fema.gov/hazus/us_main.shtm.
 

Hazard Data to Map Other Hazards
For hazards not included in HAZUS-MH, a range of maps also can be useful to help 
profile and evaluate the hazards.  Continue with Worksheet 2-1 for the other 
hazards listed.  You will not be able to estimate losses for these hazards using 
HAZUS-MH, but you can map the hazard areas to support the needs of your risk 
assessment. In some cases, you can estimate exposure for these hazards using 
HAZUS-MH. For evaluating reasonable exposure, see Chapter 4 of this How-To 
Guide. 


Hazard Data Not Used for Mapping but Useful for Written Hazard Profiles (All 
Hazards)
For all hazards, you will need data to help you consider each hazards overall 
profile and priority in your region. Worksheet 2-2 shows the categories of data 
that will be useful. For HAZUS-MH hazards, you can start with historic event 
data you obtained in Task 2.1 and research further information about these 
events.


Evaluate Available and Desired Data
For your hazards of interest, review the unchecked boxes in Worksheet 2-1 to 
potentially identify your data gaps for the hazard area and characteristic maps. 
As part of Task 2.3, you may want to work to obtain missing mapping data that 
you have determined is warranted. You will also collect additional data to 
supplement the analysis for your risk assessment.  

All communities face limited budgets and have mandated schedules for their 
planning efforts. Therefore, your risk assessment team will have to decide how 
much additional data you can collect based on available funding and schedules. 
The basis for pursuing or not pursuing further data collection should be sound, 
defensible, and documented. 

Sidebar: Reference: FEMA is implementing the Multi-hazard Mapping Initiative 
(MMI) to encourage data sharing, support standards development, and provide 
access to hazard event and hazard map data.  You can learn more about this 
initiative and see what data are available for your study region at: 
http://www.hazardmaps.gov.

When considering the level of HAZUS-MH analysis to use, you must consider your 
schedule, the resources available, and the ultimate end uses of the data. When 
evaluating these factors, remember that local data collected to support HAZUS-MH 
can also support other local planning, emergency, and mapping needs.

When evaluating additional data collection needs, consider the following 
questions:
--Do you feel the hazard area, characteristics, and profile data are the best 
available data that you can obtain for your risk assessment?
--Are there other experts or sources that you should contact to make sure that 
your data are current and to feel confident that you are using the best 
available data?
--Are the missing data related to a hazard that you feel is very important to 
your community?
--Are there alternate approaches that you can use to address data gaps if you do 
not have enough data about an important hazard?

Based on your teams data gap analysis, you may want to collect additional 
hazard data that you feel are important and reasonable to obtain. Task 2.3 
provides information on general and specific sources for additional hazard 
information.

Congratulations!  You have now performed a data gap analysis and can proceed to 
collect additional hazard data (if needed). 


Collect Additional Hazard Data (If Needed) (Task 2.3)
At this point, you may have decided to collect additional data.  Much of the 
required data may be available already, but it is often located in a number of 
places and can be in various formats that are not readily usable by HAZUS-MH.  
Other data, such as a landslide potential map, may need to be created.  Both 
general and specific information sources for hazard event and characteristic 
data are discussed in this section.  Much of this data is being developed and 
consolidated through efforts such as FEMAs MMI.  For this task, you will 
perform the following steps to obtain additional data:  (1) access general 
hazard data sources, and (2) access specific hazard data sources.  


Access General Hazard Data Sources
Data on natural hazards that might threaten your study region are available from 
various sources. However, the quality of data can vary widely between 
communities and between organizations within the communities. During the data 
collection process, it is important that you maintain a detailed log of your 
sources (including contact names, dates of telephone conversations or personal 
meetings, and Internet site addresses) and the quality of the data collected to 
document in your mitigation plan.
  
Use Worksheet 2-1 at the end of this chapter to help you track the hazard event 
data you collect. When possible, electronic data should be obtained to 
facilitate implementation of HAZUS-MH. You will use specific hazard event dates 
and locations (obtained from HAZUS-MH for earthquake and hurricane or from other 
sources) as a starting point to search further for additional data. Based on 
FEMAs field pilot projects, the following sources of information are typical 
hazard data sources.  

Newspapers and Other Historical Records
These records will often contain the dates of major hazard events, the magnitude 
of the events, the damage incurred, and references to other past natural 
disasters in your study region. This type of information is often available at 
local historical societies or in public libraries.

Existing Plans and Reports
Plans and documents developed for a range of purposes may have information on 
natural hazards in your community or state. For example, many states already 
have developed mitigation plans, hazard identification reports, or risk 
assessment reports. State transportation, environmental, emergency management, 
and public works departments may have prepared reports or plans that contain 
relevant information. Local comprehensive plans, land use plans, and capital 
improvement plans, as well as building codes, land development regulations, and 
flood ordinances also can contain hazard provisions that indicate the presence 
of local hazards. When plans are identified, you can review them to identify 
hazards that may occur in your study region or that have occurred in the past.

Experts in Your Community, State, or Region
Hazard information is generally available from representatives of the 
government, colleges and universities, and the private sector. The State Hazard 
Mitigation Officer usually has access to the most current and accurate data 
regarding hazards in a state. Local floodplain managers; public works department 
employees; and engineering, planning and zoning, and transportation department 
personnel also maintain information about natural hazards. Emergency response 
personnel such as police and fire department employees or local emergency 
management staff also are excellent sources of information on past hazard 
events. In addition, many state agencies, including water, natural resources, 
geological survey, and emergency management agencies, have detailed knowledge 
about the nature and extent of hazards in your state. Local university 
departments, including planning, landscape architecture, geography, and 
engineering departments, may have hazard maps, recent research studies, or other 
useful data. Local businesses that provide hazard-related services are also a 
good source of data.

Internet Sites
The Internet sites of many Federal, state, and local government agencies  
provide access to data regarding natural hazards and their frequency, magnitude, 
and locations (for example, <http://www.fema.gov> and 
<http://www.hazardmaps.gov>). In addition, some sites provide general 
information about the nature of particular hazard events, the probability of 
their occurrence, and how hazards are measured. Other websites feature state-
specific or area-specific information about hazards (such as the historical 
occurrence of hazard events and the probability and expected severity of 
potential hazard events). General search engines also can be searched for 
specific events or key words and often provide a good starting point with 
information for your written profiles and areas for further research.

Sidebar: Note: The Internet can support searches on specific hazards and even 
hazard events.  You can complete a key word search and obtain information 
quickly and at low cost. For example, if HAZUS-MH indicated a CA earthquake in 
your area in 1906, you could search California Earthquake 1906 and obtain 
information about that event to support your written hazard profile.


Access Specific Hazard Data Sources  
Hazards are often described and characterized using data regarding historic 
events and maps. Some of these data are available in electronic and hard copy 
forms from local sources and over the Internet. To run a Level 2 analysis, or to 
obtain information on hazards not included in HAZUS-MH, you will collect 
additional hazard data and revisit Worksheet 2-1 to update it with the 
information you collect. 
 
The unchecked maps on Worksheet 2-1 will now be located, to the extent that 
you determined to be reasonable, as part of Task 2.3. The maps needed to support 
the earthquake, flood, and hurricane modules of HAZUS-MH will be used to model 
losses when you estimate losses. Maps shown on Worksheet 2-1 for other hazards 
also can be imported into HAZUS-MH. You can then use these to support your 
public involvement and planning work or to estimate exposure as described in 
Step 4, Estimate Losses. The text below provides information on specific data 
sources that can help you obtain the hazard maps and data that you have decided 
you may need for your risk assessment. The hazards described below include 
earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, landslides, tornadoes, tsunamis, and wildfires.  


Earthquakes
Job Aid 2-1 (Appendix D) summarizes data recommended for the three levels of 
analysis of HAZUS-MH. Job Aid 2-2 provides sources of data for the earthquake 
and other hazards. The HAZUS-MH provided data for the earthquake hazard makes a 
number of general assumptions for a number of characteristics that can impact 
earthquake losses. Level 1 analysis will provide a risk assessment based on 
these assumptions.  If you wish to change those assumptions based on local data, 
you need to provide HAZUS-MH with the appropriate data to perform Level 2 or 
Level 3 analyses. For these two levels of analysis, you can obtain the four data 
maps discussed below; these maps update your study regions soil type, 
liquefaction susceptibility, and landslide potential, and water depth. For a 
summary of how to obtain these maps see Table 2-1. 

Table 2-1: Earthquake Hazard Characteristic Data Sources
This table lists types of maps and their sources, as summarized below:
Soil Surveys and Maps: Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA)
Liquefaction Maps: Applied Technology Council Summary of Regional Maps
Landslide Maps: National Landslide Information Center (USGS)
Groundwater Depth Maps: Various natural resource agencies; 
State Engineers Offices (State-specific; Data from registered wells in state); 
USGS Groundwater Site Inventory (contains data from more than 850,000 federal 
wells)

Soil Maps
Local geological data in the form of soil maps depict the effects of ground 
motion on local soils, landslide, and liquefaction. Soil maps describe the 
surface soils in your area. In order to improve the analytical capabilities of 
the HAZUS-MH earthquake model, local soil data must replace the general 
assumptions made in HAZUS-MH.  You can refine the data in HAZUS-MH in two ways: 
(1) changing the soil type assumption provided with HAZUS-MH, or (2) importing a 
soil map into HAZUS-MH. The most refined analysis is produced by the second 
option.

Soil maps of high resolution (1:24,000 or greater) or lower resolution 
(1:250,000) are usually available from geologists, regional USGS offices, state 
geological agencies, regional planning agencies, or local government agencies. 
The geological maps typically identify the age, depositional environment, and 
material type for a particular mapped geologic unit. The soil maps in HAZUS-MH 
require National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) soil 
classification types (Appendix B of the HAZUS-MH Earthquake User Manual). If you 
have soil survey or other soil classification maps, a geologist can assist in 
converting data to the required classification scheme.  

Liquefaction Susceptibility Map
A Level 1 analysis in HAZUS-MH assumes that your area does not have the 
potential for soil liquefaction. In areas with a potential for liquefaction, a 
HAZUS-MH Level 1 analysis may underestimate the potential damage for your study 
region. You can change this assumption in HAZUS-MH by (1) changing the 
liquefaction potential parameter, or (2) importing a liquefaction map. The 
second option provides the most refined analysis.

Liquefaction susceptibility maps, usable for analysis in HAZUS-MH, exist only 
for a limited number of areas. For example, the Applied Technology Council (ATC) 
has published a summary of available regional liquefaction hazard maps. If 
liquefaction susceptibility maps are not available for your region and 
liquefaction is a potential hazard in your area, a geologist or a geotechnical 
engineer will need to provide input on the potential for liquefaction or develop 
a liquefaction map for you. The level of effort required will depend on the size 
of your region and the desired resolution of the contours. A simple map may 
require only a month, but a detailed map at a high resolution (1:24,000 to 
1:50,000) may require a separate study that could take several months or years 
to complete. In any case, look for maps available in a digital format to assist 
your effort. 

Landslide Potential Map
Landslide hazard maps show the extent of land area subject to the threat of 
landslides, including areas where landslides have occurred in the past, where 
landslides are likely to occur now, and where they could occur in the future. 
Landslide potential maps contain detailed information on the types of 
landslides, the extent of the slope subject to failure, and the probable maximum 
extent of ground movement. These maps can be used to predict the relative degree 
of hazard in a landslide area. You can change the HAZUS-MH assumption of no 
landslide potential by (1) changing the landslide potential parameter, or (2) 
importing a landslide map. The second option provides the most refined analysis.

Water Depth Map
If liquefaction is a concern in your area, water depth data are also important. 
The water depth data estimate the vertical distance from the land surface to the 
top of the groundwater aquifer (i.e., the groundwater-saturated layer). You can 
change the HAZUS-MH provided depth assumption by (1) changing the water depth 
potential parameter, or (2) importing a water depth map. The second option 
provides the most refined analysis.
These maps most likely already exist at a state level and can be obtained from 
state environment or natural resource agencies that manage water resources or 
control groundwater pollution. Local university hydrogeology departments or 
regional water authorities may also have current detailed information on 
groundwater depths in readily available formats.  

Sources of Earthquake Hazard Profile Information
Table 2-1 lists national sources of digital data that can help you prepare your 
hazard profile. Example 2-1 at the end of this chapter presents an example 
earthquake hazard profile, compiled from information similar to sources you may 
access and use.  Job Aid 2-2 also lists data sources.


Manage Your Earthquake Hazard Data
Create a hazard map directory on your hard drive if you have not done so 
already.  Download the digital maps and place the maps in the hazard map 
directory.  Also, be sure to update Worksheet 2-1 as you proceed.  These maps or 
data from them will be integrated into HAZUS-MH during Step 4, Estimate Losses.


Floods (Coastal and Riverine)
HAZUS-MH provides three levels of analysis.  Job Aid 2-1 (Appendix D) shows the 
different hazard data needs to implement a Level 1, 2, or 3 analysis for the 
flood hazard. The Level 1 analysis level requires the least input by the user. A 
Level 2 analysis improves the results by considering additional data that are 
readily available or can be converted to the model requirements.  For a Level 2 
analysis, users will employ the Flood Information Tool (FIT) to pre-process 
their flood hazard data. All components of flood analysis using HAZUS-MH can be 
performed at this level, with the exception of velocity analysis.

A Level 3 analysis is an advanced data and models analysis requiring detailed 
engineering and hazard studies and is not addressed in this How-To Guide.

Sources of Flood Hazard Profile Information
FEMA has prepared Flood Insurance Studies (FIS) for flood-prone communities. 
These FISs contain information on historic flood events, flood problems, and 
other flood information available for local areas. A FIS contains a Flood 
Insurance Rate Map (FIRM), which is an official map of a community that shows 
areas at risk from flooding. FEMA has created FIRMs for more than 19,000 
communities in the U.S. as part of the FIS program. In addition to base flood 
zones, or 100-year floodplains, which are defined as areas with a 1 percent 
chance of flooding in any given year, the FIRMs illustrate coastal high hazard 
areas, floodways, and 500-year floodplains, which are areas with a 0.2 percent 
chance of flooding in any given year. Another element of the FIS is a graph, 
also known as a flood profile, which shows potential flood elevations plotted 
along waterways. This information will help delineate the boundaries of the 
floodplain in your study region. 
 
The data categories needed to run the HAZUS-MH flood module include  ground 
elevation data, floodplain boundary, and flood depth maps. Example sources of 
hazard data are shown in Table 2-2 and are discussed below. The information in 
the table shows the requirements for different levels of HAZUS-MH analysis. Job 
Aid 2-2 also lists data sources.

Table 2-2: Flood Hazard Data Needs and Sources
Map:  Ground Elevations, as Digital Elevation Model (DEM)
Required for: Riverine and coastal flood (Level 1, 2, or 3, and Flood Wizard)
Source: http://seamless.usgs.gov/; Microsoft TerraServer

Map: Shoreline Maps
Required for: Coastal flood (Level 2 or 3)
Source: Local maps to update HAZUS-MH map; NOAA Coastline and Bathymetric GIS 
Data

Map: 100-Year Stillwater Elevation 
Required for: Coastal flood (Level 2 or 3)
Source: FEMA; USGS Surface Water Resources

Map: Floodplain Boundary
Required for: Riverine flood (Level 2 or 3, and Flood Wizard)
Source: FEMA On-Line Hazard Maps; ESRI On-Line Hazard Maps 

Map: Base Flood Elevation
Required for: Riverine flood (Level 2 or 3)
Source: FEMA On-Line Hazard Maps


Ground Elevations 
All three levels of HAZUS-MH analysis will require you to download ground 
elevation data. The flood wizard discussed in Step 4 also requires these data.  
Ground elevation data can be in several formats, including a Digital Elevation 
Model (DEM), a Triangular Irregular Network (TIN), or contour lines. If your 
data is a TIN or available as contour lines, you will need to use the FIT to 
integrate the data into HAZUS-MH. A DEM does not need to be modified. A basic 
DEM may be downloaded at the USGS web site, http://seamless.usgs.gov/. A higher 
resolution DEM might be obtained from your local mapping office. The USGS also 
sells higher resolution DEMs in some parts of the country; visit the USGS web 
site for more details. The FEMA MMI discussed earlier also provides access to Q3 
data and DFIRM maps (see floodplain boundary below).

Sidebar: Definition: The Flood Information Tool (FIT) is part of the HAZUS-MH 
family of products provided by FEMA. It is used to integrate local flood maps 
into HAZUS-MH. The FIT is detailed in Step 4. 

Shoreline Map and 100-Year Stillwater Elevation
Local data are required for a more refined coastal flood analysis (Level 2 or 
3).  A shoreline map is provided with HAZUS-MH, but if the shoreline has changed 
over time, you will want to update that map with local data.  The 100-year 
stillwater elevation map is usually available for coastal areas as part of the 
FIS. Coastal hydrologic data are also available from the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). 

Sidebar: Note: The FEMA Map Modernization Initiative (MMI) is updating flood 
data across the country.  This will provide digital FIRM (DFIRM) data for the 
entire country and supply the ground elevation, floodplain boundary, and base 
flood elevation data needed for the riverine and coastal flood analyses.

Floodplain Boundary and Base Flood Elevation
Both the floodplain boundary and the base flood elevation data for your area can 
be derived from the FIRM. Using a copy of the FIRM, you will evaluate the 100-
year flood. FEMA is currently converting FIRMs to a digital format. The DFIRM 
product will allow the creation of interactive, multi-hazard digital maps that 
can be used with HAZUS-MH. Digital quality level 3 flood data (Q3) also are 
available for 1,200 counties in a CD-ROM format. The Q3s are digital 
representations of certain features of FIRMs and can be used with HAZUS-MH. The 
Q3s are used for hazard mitigation planning, floodplain management, land use 
planning, natural resource and environmental analysis, and insurance target 
marketing. They are designed to provide the general locations of Special Flood 
Hazard Areas (SFHAs). The main difference between the Q3s and the official paper 
FIRMs is that the Q3s do not include the following:
--Hydrographic features (streams, rivers, lake, and coastal shorelines)
--Base Flood Elevations (BFEs)
--Cross-section lines
--Roads, road names, or address ranges
--Locations, elevations, and descriptions of benchmarks and elevation reference 
marks

Sidebar: HAZUS Software: The flood model uses the term case study instead of 
scenario because the selection of an arbitrary event is not possible. The 
flood model allows you to study your entire region as a case study or to focus 
on particular, smaller areas of concern.

To request copies of the FIRM for your study region, or to identify areas that 
are prone to coastal hazards and storm surge, contact your National Flood 
Insurance Program (NFIP) coordinator or floodplain manager. These specialists 
usually work in the planning, building, engineering, or natural resource 
departments of local and state agencies. Coastal communities and states with a 
coastline also should determine areas of coastal flooding, which are 
characterized as V zones and A zones, oriented approximately parallel to the 
shoreline.

Sidebar: Reference: Copies of FIRMs can be requested
(1) by calling the FEMA Map Service Center at 1-800-358-9616
(2) by accessing the Internet at: http://www.fema.gov/maps/
(3) by contacting a FEMA regional office
Additionally, FIRM information is available at: http://www.fema.gov/fhm/

Side Bar: Definition: Coastal Flood Zone Classifications
A Zone  An area with an elevation below the Base Flood Elevation (BFE), where 
the waves are expected to be less than 3 feet during the 100-year flood.
V Zone  An area with an elevation below the BFE, where waves are expected to 
be greater than 3 feet during the 100-year flood. V zones are subject to coastal 
high hazard flooding.


Verify that the FIRM is Current and Complete
Floodplains are susceptible to changes. From time to time, FEMA, communities, or 
individuals may find it necessary to update, correct, or otherwise change the 
FIRM. Review the FIRM to determine whether any of the following circumstances 
apply to your study region:
--Significant construction has occurred within the floodplains already 
identified on your FIRM.
--Upstream communities have had significant development since the FIRM was 
published.
--Inundation patterns indicate that the FIRM boundaries are no longer accurate.
--A major flood control project has been completed in your community or upstream 
of your community.
--Changes have impacted topography in, or adjacent to, mapped floodplains.

If there has been a coastal storm since the date of the FIRM, the coastline and 
hazard zones may no longer be accurate. Coastal storms can either erode or 
extend the coastline, possibly causing the flood hazard zones to change. Consult 
your local floodplain coastal zone manager for further advice. Information can 
be found at http://edc.usgs.gov/index.html.

Sidebar: Note: If your study region is not within a 100-year floodplain, you may 
elect to concentrate on other hazards because your flood risk is, by definition, 
relatively small. However, you may still have flood risks associated with one or 
more of the following, which are not shown on the FIRM:
 Drainage areas of less than 1 square mile
 Sewer backup
 Drainage system backup
 Dam breaches
 Stormwater runoff problems

Sources of Flood Hazard Profile Information
In addition to the characteristic data required to support HAZUS-MH, you will 
need to research historic flood events and the potential for flooding in your 
area to support your written flood profile. You can use the general and specific 
sources listed in this section to collect those data. Use Job Aid 2-2 as a 
starting point to identify other sources of data to help you profile background 
and local conditions, probability of occurrence, damage, and hazard areas 
(floodplain boundaries for your area).
 
Manage Your Flood Hazard Data
Create a hazard map directory on your hard drive if you have not done so 
already. Download the digital maps found at the sources listed above and place 
the maps in the hazard map directory. These maps will be integrated into HAZUS-
MH in Step 4. Keep the other data you have collected to help you complete 
Worksheet 2-2, as part of Task 2.4.  

Use of the Flood Macro Wizard
FEMA developed a Flood Macro Wizard (Flood Wizard) that facilitates the 
preparation of flood risk assessments. The Flood Wizard allows you to 
automatically process flood data to evaluate exposure and develop loss estimates 
for the inventory in your study region. To use the Flood Wizard, you will (1) 
install the Flood Wizard, (2) execute the flood program, (3) identify the 
inputs, (4) run the analysis, and (5) view the results.  


1. To install the Flood Wizard. Insert the Flood Wizard CD-ROM and wait for the 
auto run feature to start. The Flood Wizard installation menu will appear.  
Click Next to proceed. The installation menu will prompt you for a destination 
directory (see Figure 2-9). Type another directory name if the default directory 
is not your preference. Click Next to proceed with the installation. 
Installation progress is indicated by the status bar in the center of the 
screen. The installation is complete when the Next option becomes available 
(see Figure 2-10). Click Next.


Figure 2-9: Flood Wizard destination directory. Graphic showing a computer 
screenshot of the Start Copying Files dialog box.


Figure 2-10: Flood Wizard installation complete. Graphic showing a computer 
screenshot of the InstallShield dialog box, with the Next button indicated.

 
2. To execute the Flood Wizard program. Open a flood study region in HAZUS-MH.  
It is not necessary to have run the flood analysis for the region; setting up 
the study region is all that is required. Select Start from your Windows menu, 
then select Programs and FEMA Risk Assessment System. Click on the Flood 
Wizard icon (see Figure 2-11). The Flood Wizard menu will now be displayed (see 
Figure 2-12).


Figure 2-11: Flood Wizard program location. Graphic showing a computer 
screenshot of the Programs list, with the location of the Flood Wizard 
highlighted.


Figure 2-12: Flood Wizard menu. Graphic showing a computer screenshot of the 
Flood Wizard. 


The menu options include: 
a) Flood Data  these options allow you to input your local flood data and DEM.
b) Inventory  these options allow you to view the general building stock, 
including building exposure, content exposure, total exposure, and building 
count for your study region. Changing the HAZUS-MH provided inventory is 
discussed in Step 3.
c) Parameters  these options allow you to change the damage functions and show 
the specified data maps in your study region.
d) Analysis  this option allows you to run the analysis.
e) Results  these options allow you to see the risk assessment results of a 
100- and 500-year event in your study region. Results include building exposure, 
content exposure, total exposure, and building count for the general building 
stock in the floodplain. It also provides building loss, content loss, and total 
loss for the general building stock.

3.To identify the inputs. You will need two data sets, (1) a flood boundary map 
in the form of Q3 data, a DFIRM, or a user defined map and (2) a DEM. The flood 
boundary map is required to be in the shape file format. The DEM should be in 
the same grid format used to run the flood model. The DEM downloaded from the 
USGS web site has a vertical distance in meters while the flood wizard requires 
a vertical distance in feet. A GIS specialist will be able to convert the DEM. 
Select Flood Data from the main menu, then Q3 Map (see Figure 2-13). You 
will be asked to identify the location of the Q3 shape file. Browse to the 
location and select the file. Select Flood Data from the main menu, then DEM 
Data. You will be asked to identify the location of the DEM. Browse to the 
location and select the file.


Figure 2-13: Flood Wizard data menu. Graphic showing a computer screenshot of 
the Flood Wizard data menu, with "Q3 Map" selected.


Manage Your Flood Wizard Hazard Data
Create a hazard map directory on your hard drive if you have not done so 
already. Download the digital maps found at the sources listed above and place 
the maps in the hazard map directory. These maps will be integrated into HAZUS-
MH in Step 4. Keep the other data you have collected to help you complete 
Worksheet 2-2, as part of Task 2.4. 

Congratulations! You have now identified the data sets required to run HAZUS-MH 
and the Flood Wizard. Step 4 will provide information on how to run the HAZUS-MH 
and Flood Wizard to obtain loss estimation outputs.   


Hurricanes
Level 1 analysis uses the HAZUS-MH provided data on wind pressure, wind-borne 
debris, tree blow down, and rainfall. The data provided also include information 
on surface roughness and tree coverage derived from national land use data. No 
additional local data are used for a Level 1 analysis. For a Level 2 or Level 3 
analysis, locally generated tree coverage (vegetation) maps and terrain or 
surface roughness maps can help you update the HAZUS-MH provided data for your 
study region.
  
Sources of Hurricane Hazard Profile Information
Table 2-3 presents potential data sources that will help you to gather 
additional hurricane information. Job Aid 2-2 (Appendix D) helps you to identify 
other sources of data regarding specific hurricane events that have impacted 
your area.

Table 2-3: Hurricane Hazard Data Sources to Support HAZUS-MH
Map: Surface Roughness Maps (for Level 2 or 3 analysis)
Source: Local Wind Engineer (refer to Job Aid 2-2 for potential sources)

Map: Vegetation Maps (also called tree coverage maps) for Level 2 or 3 analysis
Source: Land Cover Maps (refer to Job Aid 2-2 for potential sources)

You can also contact the state hurricane program manager, who usually works for 
the state emergency management office, for information on hurricanes, 
Noreasters, storm surge, and coastal erosion that have occurred in your area. 
Another source of assistance is your state coastal zone manager, who should have 
information on state coastal hazards, including information on habitat and 
environmental resources that may be affected by such hazards.

Sidebar: Definition: To update the HAZUS-MH data, you can change the tree 
coverage or surface roughness parameters for your study region at the Census 
tract level.

Inland communities will be most concerned with the flooding aspect of coastal 
storms. The torrential rains of even Category 1 hurricanes and tropical storms 
have been known to cause 500-year and greater flooding in inland communities. 
Coastal communities will need to determine how severe the high winds, storm 
surges, and erosion could be using their storm surge inundation maps. For all 
flood hazard information related to hurricane events, refer to the section on 
floods.

Manage Your Hurricane Hazard Data
Create a hazard map directory on your hard drive. Download the hurricane-related 
hazard maps that you have obtained and place these maps in the hazard map 
directory. Also, be sure you have updated Worksheet 2-1. These maps will be 
integrated into HAZUS-MH in Step 4. Keep the other data you have collected to 
help you complete Worksheet 2-2, as part of Task 2.4.  

Sidebar: HAZUS-MH software: Future releases of HAZUS-MH will model coastal 
floods and wind impacts associated with hurricanes as part of the hurricane 
model. Currently, wind is addressed by the hurricane model and coastal flood as 
part of the flood model.


Landslides
HAZUS-MH does not currently include a landslide module. However, HAZUS-MH can 
support evaluation of this hazard. For example, you can map landslide potential 
areas and inventory to estimate persons and buildings exposed to this hazard. To 
support this type of analysis, you will need landslide maps that show areas of 
potential landslide occurrence in your study region.

The best predictors of future landslides are past landslides because they tend 
to occur in the same places. Landslides, like other geologic hazards, are very 
complex and require someone with geologic expertise to conduct a geotechnical 
study. You should begin by talking to your local or state geology, planning, 
public works, or engineering departments, which should have information on past 
landslides. These agencies can provide landslide maps as well as information 
about landslide causes, damages, deaths, and injuries, as well as areas impacted 
by past landslides. If current landslide maps are not available, the agencies 
mentioned above can help create one for your community.

Sources of Landslide Hazard Profile Information
It is important that you consult a local geologist or other professional 
familiar with past landslides when interpreting landslide hazard information. 
Sources that provide useful background information and data include: (1) maps of 
landslide potential (high hazard areas), (2) topographic maps, and (3) geologic 
information. These are discussed below.

High Hazard Areas
You can map these areas by identifying existing or old landslides, particularly 
those:
--On or at the base of slopes
--In or at the base of minor drainage hollows
--At the base or top of an old fill slope
--At the base or top of a steeply cut slope
--On developed hillsides where leach field septic systems are used

Topographic Maps
Topographic maps can be obtained from the USGS or from your state geologic 
survey. Specifically, you will need to know where steep slopes are present, as 
steeper slopes have a greater probability of landslides. Contact your state 
geological survey or natural resource department for more information or help in 
interpreting topographic maps. These are discussed below.

Side Bar: HAZUS-MH software: If you are analyzing the flood hazard, your DEM can 
provide topographic data to support the landslide hazard.

Geologic Information
Identifying the underlying geology plays an important part in the review of a 
slope. In addition to the slope angle, the presence of rock or soil that weakens 
when saturated and the presence of poorly drained rock or soil are indicators of 
slope instability. Contact a local geologist or your state geologic survey to 
obtain more information or assistance in identifying the various geologic 
features of your community or state.

After reviewing general information, you should try to obtain the most important 
landslide data, including:  (1) landslide inventories, (2) landslide 
susceptibility maps, and (3) landslide hazard maps. These are discussed below.

Landslide Inventories
These inventories identify areas that appear to have failed because of 
landslides, including debris flows and cut-and-fill failures. Detailed 
inventories depict and classify each landslide and show scarps, zones of 
depletion and accumulation, active versus inactive slides, geologic age, rate of 
movement, and other pertinent data on the depth and type of materials involved 
in the sliding. Overlaying a geologic map with a hazard map that shows existing 
landslides can identify specific landslide-prone geologic units.  For this 
reason, a landslide inventory is essential for preparing a landslide 
susceptibility map.

Landslide Susceptibility Maps
These maps depict areas that have the potential for landslides by correlating 
some of the principal factors that contribute to landslides, including steep 
slopes, geologic units that lose strength when saturated, and poorly drained 
rocks or soils. These maps indicate the relative stability of slopes; however, 
they do not make absolute predictions. More complex maps may include additional 
information such as slope angle and drainage data.

Landslide Hazard Maps
These maps show the real extent of the threat: where landslides have occurred in 
the past, where they are likely to occur now, and where they could occur in the 
future.  The maps contain detailed information on the types of landslides, the 
extent of the slope subject to failure, and the probable maximum extent of 
ground movement.  These maps can be used to predict the relative degree of 
hazard in a landslide area.

Manage Your Landslide Hazard Data
Save electronic data in the hazard directory you are creating. You also can mark 
the areas that are susceptible to landslides on your base map in HAZUS-MH. 


Tornadoes
HAZUS-MH does not currently include a tornado module, although such a module is 
currently under development. However, HAZUS-MH can support evaluation of the 
hazard. In most cases, it is difficult to identify specific tornado risk areas 
because an entire geographic area usually lies in, or outside of, a high risk 
area. Data that will help you evaluate your areas tornado risk includes the 
design wind speed designation for your community. The design wind speed is the 
maximum wind speed buildings are designed and constructed to withstand.

Sidebar: Note: Unlike some other hazards, mapping the tornado risk is less 
important because it is unlikely that a community has variable tornado risks 
within its jurisdiction. In most cases, communities need only determine that 
they have a tornado risk (Identify Hazards: Step 1) and then can proceed to 
determine their design wind speed as described in this section.  

Sources of Tornado Hazard Profile Information
First, contact your state or local building code official to determine the 
design wind speed for your area. Next, find your study region on the Design 
Wind Speed map in FEMAs Taking Shelter from the Storm:  Building a Safe Room 
in Your House (refer to text box). The map in this document is based on design 
wind speeds set forth by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). Next, 
look up the wind zone and indicated speed indicated for your study region area. 
For example, if you live in Fayetteville, North Carolina, you would find that 
you are located in wind zone III, which is associated with 200-mile per hour 
wind speeds.

Manage Your Tornado Hazard Data
If your study region is located in only one design wind speed zone, note the 
zone; however, if your study region is located in more than one design wind 
speed zone, you will need copies of the Design Wind Speed maps. Create a 
hazard map directory on your hard drive if you have not done so already. 
Download the wind speed maps into the hazard map directory, or obtain hard 
copies of the maps. These maps will be integrated into HAZUS-MH in Estimate 
Losses (Step 4).

Sidebar: Reference: Taking Shelter from the Storm: Building a Safe Room in Your 
House (FEMA  320). This publication can be viewed at: 
http://www.fema.gov/fima/tsfs02.shtm or ordered from the FEMA Publication 
Center.  


Tsunamis
HAZUS-MH does not include a tsunami module. However, HAZUS-MH can support 
evaluation of this hazard through the mapping of hazard areas and the 
identification of inventory exposed to the hazard areas.

Sources of Tsunamis Hazard Profile Information
Tsunami inundation zone maps show low-lying areas that could be affected by 
tsunamis. Communities in Alaska and Hawaii can obtain statewide inundation zone 
maps and other information about tsunamis from the following sources:

West Coast/Alaska Tsunami Warning Center of NOAA/NWS
910 S. Felton Street
Palmer, AK 99645- 6552 
Telephone:  907-745-4212
Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii
91-270 Fort Weaver Road
Ewa Beach, HI 96706
Telephone:  808-689-8207

Communities in Oregon can request maps from:
The Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI)
800 NE Oregon Street, #28
Portland, OR  97232
Telephone: 503-731-4100

Washington and California communities should contact their respective state 
geologists to obtain inundation zone mapping information. In addition, tsunami 
information is available at the following websites:
--USGS: <http://www.usgs.gov/themes/coast.html> 
--University of Washington: <http://www.geophys.washington.edu> 
--Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory: <http://www.pmel.noaa.gov/tsunami-
hazard>

Most tsunami mapping has been done at a state-wide level. If no local mapping 
has been certified, you may consider hiring a consultant to develop or obtain 
the following information:
--Historical tsunami sources
--Potential future local and distant sources
--Potential for ground failures and other geologic effects that could cause 
tsunamis
--An estimate of the number of waves and their heights, arrival times, and 
inundation depths and distances
--Calculations of water velocities and debris loads
--Estimates of the probabilities of tsunami occurrence and levels of certainty

Manage Your Tsunami Hazard Data
Draw the boundaries of your study regions tsunami hazard areas on your base map 
and store any electronic data in your hazard data directory.


Wildfires
HAZUS-MH does not include a wildfire module.  However, HAZUS-MH can support 
evaluation of this hazard through the mapping of hazard areas and the 
identification of exposed inventory in hazard areas.

Sources of Wildfire Hazard Profile Information
Wildfire hazard maps do not show the extent of locations where wildfires will 
occur because each fires location will depend on the amount of fuel available, 
weather conditions, and wind speed and direction at the time the fire occurs. 
However, wildfire hazard maps can show geographic locations where wildfires have 
taken place in the past and areas that are prone to wildfires based on the 
availability of fuel and weather conducive to fires.

Contact your state forest service at http://www.stateforesters.org or your 
U.S. Forest Service (USFS) regional office at 
http://www.fs.fed.us/contactus/regions.shtml to obtain wildfire mapping 
information, such as (1) fuel model maps, (2) topographic data, and (3) critical 
weather frequency. These data are discussed below.

Fuel Model Maps
Use the fuel model key below (excerpted from the National Fire Danger Rating 
System [NFDRS]), developed by the USFS in 1978, as a guide to determine the fuel 
model classifications within your community or state. The key represents all 
wildfire fuels from Florida to Alaska and from the East Coast to California, so 
only general descriptions are provided.

You can also download fuel model maps from the Internet at 
<http://www.fs.fed.us/land/wfas/nfdr_map.htm>. These maps are designed to assess 
fire dangers across the continental U.S. and may not be site-specific; therefore 
local updates are recommended.

Using the fuel model key, you can map the various fuel classifications for your 
area based on the following categories:
--Heavy Fuel is vegetation consisting of round wood that is 3 to 8 inches in 
diameter.
--Medium Fuel is vegetation consisting of round wood that is 1/3 to 3 inches in 
diameter.
--Light Fuel is vegetation consisting of herbaceous plants and round wood that 
are less than 1/3 inch in diameter.
To obtain more information or assistance, contact your state forestry or natural 
resource department.

Topographic Data
In general terms, the steeper the slope of the land, the faster a fire can 
spread up the slope. Using a topographic map, identify areas of your study 
region with slopes less than 40 percent, between 41 and 60 percent, and greater 
than 61 percent, corresponding to low, moderate, and steep gradients in terms of 
the spread of wildfires. Contact your state geologic survey or natural resource 
department to obtain more information or help with topographic maps.

Critical Weather Frequency 
Critical fire weather is a set of weather conditions, usually a combination of 
low relative humidity and wind, whose effects on fire behavior make its control 
difficult and threaten firefighter safety. The average number of days per year 
of critical fire weather experienced in your study region can be obtained from 
your local or state fire marshal, forestry department, or department of natural 
resources. National Weather Service or NOAA websites also can help you determine 
past weather conditions in your study region.

Identify Your Fire Hazard Severity
Using Table 2-4, determine your study regions fire hazard severity. For 
example, if your study region experiences an average of five critical fire 
weather days per year, has heavy fuel, and has greater than 40 percent slopes, 
you are in a extreme severity area. You may have more than one severity level in 
your study region, depending on differing slopes and fuel classifications across 
the region. 
 
Table 2-4: Fire Hazard Severity Table
Table showing fire hazard severity (moderate, high, and extreme) based on fuel 
type (light, medium, and heavy), critical fire weather frequency (less than 1 
day per year, 2 to 7 days per year, and more than 8 days per year), and slope (0 
to 40 percent, 41 to 60 percent, and greater than 60 percent).	


Manage Your Wildfire Hazard Data
Draw the boundaries of your study regions wildfire hazard areas on your base 
map in HAZUS-MH. Retain electronic data in your hazard directory.

Other Hazards
Table 2-5 shows map data recommended to profile other hazards that may be 
important to your community; these hazards are not detailed in this guide. In 
addition to maps, remember to collect historic event, location, and impact 
(loss) data, as available. The FEMA web site (http://www.hazardmaps.gov) also 
has data for some of the hazards listed below. Job Aid 2-2 (Appendix D) also 
lists hazard data sources for a range of hazards.

Table 2-5: Data Sources for Additional Hazards Maps of Interest
Table showing each hazard entry, its maps, and its source.

Hazard: Avalanche
Map: Elevation Contour Maps
Source: <http://data.geocomm.com/dem/demdownload.html>

Hazard: Coastal Erosion
Map: Historical Aerial Photographs
Source: <http://edc.usgs.gov/index.html>

Hazard: Dam Failure
Map: FIRMs
Source: <http://www.fema.gov/fhm/dfm_ovrw.shtm>
Map: Floodway Maps
Source: Local floodplain manager

Hazard: Drought
Map: Drought Maps
Source: <http://www.drought.unl.edu/whatis/palmer/pdsihist.htm>

Hazard: Extreme Heat
Map: Maximum Temperature Maps
Source: <http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/>

Hazard: Hailstorm
Map: Hailstorm Maps
Source: <http://www.esri.com/hazards/makemap.html>

Hazard: Land Subsidence
Map: Land Subsidence Maps
Source: <http://water.usgs.gov/ogw/subsidence.html>

Hazard: Severe Winter Storm
Map: Winter Storm Maps
Source: <http://www.gismaps.fema.gov/2003pages/lcurrent.shtm>

Hazard: Volcano
Map: Volcanic Activity Maps
Source: <http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/Hazards/Where/WhereHaz.html>

Hazard: Windstorm
Map: Windstorm Maps
Source: <http://www.esri.com/hazards/makemap.html>



Develop HAZUS-MH Compatible Hazard Maps  
Now that you have collected specific hazard maps, you will want them in an 
electronic form to support HAZUS-MH. Once you have an electronic map, review its 
format to determine whether it is in the correct format (ArcView-compatible) and 
coordinate system (Lat/Long). Place a check in the appropriate column for each 
requirement in Worksheet 2-1. The HAZUS-MH provided assumptions or hazard maps 
for earthquakes, floods, and hurricanes should be replaced if you have a more 
detailed map of your study region. If all of the compatibility columns are 
checked, place a check in the Ready for HAZUS-MH column. If you need to 
convert maps or projections, refer to Identify Hazards (Step 1) for 
instructions.  

After reviewing hazard maps and historical data, you should have an idea of 
where hazard events may occur in your study region. You now need to designate 
these hazard areas on your HAZUS-MH base map by using the HAZUS-MH menus to add 
a GIS layer. Click on File, and then scroll down to add data. Browse to the 
location of your hazard maps and select the files. The hazard maps can now be 
overlain on your base map. Your base map should now be divided into subareas or 
polygons that represent the areas susceptible to different hazard types. Some 
hazard types may affect the entire study region, while others may affect only 
portions of the region. These map outputs can be used to support your community 
involvement efforts and as inputs for your risk assessment.


Profile and Prioritize Hazards (Task 2.4)
To create a final prioritized list of hazards, you will use the data in 
Worksheet 1-1 and the hazard maps and hazard characteristics data that you have 
collected. Your risk assessment team should take all of the data available and 
meet as a group to review the data and prioritize the hazards. Worksheet 2-2 
should be completed for each hazard of interest. This worksheet will help you 
compile data and profile each hazard in a consistent manner.  

Next, complete Worksheet 2-3. This worksheet is a qualitative ranking form 
designed to help you prioritize the hazards in your study region. Under 
frequency, severity, duration, and intensity, you can rank each hazard from 0 
(very low) to 5 (high). For each hazard, you can add values for various profile 
items and assign a rank. Depending on your teams knowledge and experience, 
you may be able to rank the hazards numerically (with the highest value a 1), or 
you may wish to rank them as H, M, and L (High, Medium, and Low) priorities. In 
the last column, check the hazards that are considered to be priorities for 
further analysis. Even if you have little data on a hazard, you may feel that 
you need to assign that hazard a high priority for further analysis. 
 
Congratulations! You have now have created a final prioritized list of the 
natural hazards that may affect your community.  

Summary
When you are finished with Step 2, you will have historic event data and maps 
showing the areas impacted by each hazard of interest and data on the 
characteristics of hazard events affecting your study region.  

You also will have a list of hazard events, websites, articles, reports, local 
experts and other resources, that can help you later in the risk assessment 
process as you determine how particular hazards can affect your community. Table 
2-6 will help you verify that you have completed the activities for Step 2.

Table 2-6: Profile Hazards Activities and Outputs Checklist
Activity
This table consists of three columns: Activity, Output, and Check Completed 
Items. The Check Completed Items column has been left blank for notations. The 
information in the table is summarized as follows:
	
Activity: Review HAZUS-MH provided hazard data (Task 2.1)
Output: Worksheet 2-1, Column 1
HAZUS-MH provided hazard event data (updated on Worksheet 1-1)	

Activity: Perform a data gap analysis (Task 2.2)
Output: Worksheet 2-1, Column 2	

Activity: Collect additional hazard data (if needed) (Task 2.3)
Output: Updated Worksheet 2-1	

Activity: Profile and prioritize hazards (Task 2.4)
Output: Worksheet 2-2 with hazard maps and charts (profiles)
Worksheet 2-3 (ranking)	

Complete any missing items in your checklist, and then continue to Step 3.  

GO TO STEP 3: INVENTORY ASSETS


WORKSHEET 2-1:  IDENTIFY REQUIRED HAZARD DATA
Check the first column below for hazards determined to be of interest on 
Worksheet 1-1. Then use the rest of the table to understand the hazard data you 
need and to track the status of the data you have. HAZUS-MH hazard maps that are 
recommended are shown in bold. You can use Job Aid 2-1 (Appendix D) to see which 
data are required for varying Levels of HAZUS-MH analysis (Levels 1, 2, and 3). 
For each hazard map you obtain, determine whether the map meets the data status 
criteria and check the appropriate box or boxes. Check the Ready for HAZUS-MH 
cell when the map meets all of the criteria. Job Aid 2-2 (Appendix D) lists 
national hazard data sources. You will best know about local data sources.

Worksheet column descriptions: 
Hazard of Interest (from Worksheet 1-1)
Hazard (Italicized text indicates a HAZUS-MH hazard)
Hazard Data or Map Required
Local Data Status Criteria: Required Format (ArcView required); Required 
Coordinate System (Latitude and Longitude required); and Ready for HAZUS-MH.

Note: Table modified from FEMA 386-2. Blank rows are for other hazards of 
interest. Hazards in bold are discussed in Step 2.


WORKSHEET 2-2:  PROFILE HAZARDS
Worksheet 2-2 can be used to summarize hazard profile data for specific hazards 
of interest in your study region. It presents the information in a manner that 
will be consistent across hazards. This will help you make sure you are getting 
the same information for each hazard and help you communicate about the hazards 
within the risk assessment team and with your community. You will complete a 
copy of the worksheet for each hazard of interest in your study region. 
 
To use the worksheet, first review Example 2-1. This provides an example of 
completed a hazard profile and illustrates the type of information to include 
under the summary of risk factors and the hazard profile cells. Example 2-1 also 
shows examples of graphics (including maps) that will be useful for your hazard 
profile.  

After reading Chapter 2 and reviewing the example, complete the following steps:  

1. Complete a hazard profile for each of the hazards of interest identified 
and retained in Step 1. Start with the Summary of Risk Factors table at the top 
of Worksheet 2-2 and the Hazard Profile Data table, as this information may 
assist in deciding if additional hazard data and maps are needed. Fill out as 
much of the information as you can.

2. Next, attach any graphic illustrations of hazard areas, other 
representations of the hazard area, or histograms of hazard events following the 
Hazard Profile Data table. The hazard maps you collected as part of Task 2.3 can 
be used.

3. Finally, consider all of the profile data you have compiled and evaluate 
the overall risk of each hazard in your area. Then select an appropriate initial 
profile ranking for your hazard (from no/low risk to severe risk). Indicate the 
appropriate level using an indicator arrow on the risk gauge in the upper right 
hand corner of the worksheet.

The Summary of Risk Factors table lists the following criteria: period of 
occurrence, probability of event(s), warning time, major contributor(s), risk of 
injury, potential for facilities shutdown, and percent of affected properties 
that may be destroyed or suffer major damage.

The Hazard Profile Data table lists the following criteria: background and local 
conditions, historic frequency and probability of occurrence, severity, historic 
losses and impacts, and designated hazard areas.

Attach any maps of hazard areas of other graphic illustrations related to the 
hazard (e.g., histograms of past hazard events over time).


WORKSHEET 2-3. PRIORITIZE HAZARDS
This worksheet provides an example of how you can qualitatively prioritize 
hazards.  It includes ranking factors that impact the priority of a specific 
hazard in your area. Note that you can modify this worksheet if needed to 
include additional factors (e.g., community concern). Or you can weight the 
factors differently if you feel that is appropriate. To use this worksheet, 
refer back to the data collection and evaluation that you performed to profile 
hazard events (completed Worksheet 2-2 documentation). Now assign a rating for 
each factor shown below from 0 (low) to 5 (high) for each hazard of interest. 
Use the individual factors to consider and assign an overall preliminary profile 
ranking for each hazard of interest. You can rank numerically from 1 (most 
important) to X (least important, with X being the number of relevant hazards of 
interest for your study region). Alternately, you can rank hazards as N/L, L, M, 
H, or S (for No/Low, Low, Moderate, High, or Severe) for this preliminary 
profile ranking. Your risk assessment outcomes may help you re-evaluate your 
initial rankings over time. If you have a hazard that is not listed, use the 
blank space below.


Example 2-1:  Hazard Profile - EARTHQUAKE
(Portland, OR)

Multnomah County Hazard Analysis
Severity Score: Severe
History (2): Total of 20
Vulnerability (5): Total of 50
Maximum Threat (10): Total of 100
Probability (7): Total of 70
Overall Total Score: 240

Summary of Risk Factors
Period of occurrence: At any time
Probability of event(s): Highly likely
Warning time: No warning time
Major contributor(s): Highly active seismic zone, local soil characteristics
Cause injuries? Yes, and risk of death
Potential facilities shutdown? 30 days or more

Note: Magnitude (M) is a measure of earthquake size that represents the amount 
of energy released by an earthquake. Energy release increases 30 times for each 
integer on the magnitude scale. Moment Magnitude is a direct measure of energy 
and is a more accurate measure of the true strength or intensity of an 
earthquake.

Background and Local Conditions
There are several different sources for hazardous earthquakes in the Pacific 
Northwest. Oregon sits on the Cascadia Subduction Zone where the Pacific / Juan 
de Fuca Plate is sliding under (or being pushed under) the less dense North 
American Plate. Although earthquakes along this zone occur infrequently, plate 
movement can produce major earthquakes. In addition, the western part of Oregon 
is underlain by a large and complex system of faults (e.g., the Portland Hills) 
that can produce significant and more frequent earthquakes.

Historic Frequency and Probability of Occurrence
The Metro 1999 study cites research indicating that major geologic structures 
capable of magnitude (M) 7 earthquakes underlie the Portland study area. Since 
1820, 7,000 earthquakes within Oregon have been documented. Fifty-six 
significant earthquakes have occurred in or near the Portland study area between 
1872 and 1999. Severe local earthquakes occurred in 1877, 1880, 1953, 1962, and 
1993 (Metro, 1999).

Strong Pacific Northwest earthquakes of record also include an 1872 M 7.4 North 
Cascades event, an M 6.8 earthquake in 1873, a 1949 M 7.1 event near Olympia, 
Washington, a 1965 M 6.5 event in Seattle-Tacoma, and a 2001 Olympia, 
Washington, event that caused over $2 billion in property damage (Oregon OEM, 
2000).  Regional earthquakes, such as the deep, intraplate Nisqually Earthquake 
that occurred in 2001 in Olympia, Washington, have been felt widely in northwest 
Oregon. The first figure provided with this profile illustrates the annual 
probability of exceeding a range of peak ground acceleration levels in Portland. 
The second figure shows past historic events in terms of moment magnitude.

Severity
There is a direct relationship between a faults length and location and its 
ability to generate damaging ground motion. In Portland, smaller, local faults 
produce lower magnitude quakes, but their ground shaking can be strong and 
damage can be high as a result of the faults proximity to structures. In 
contrast, offshore or distant subduction zone quakes can generate great 
magnitudes, but, because of their distance and depth, may result in only 
moderate shaking in the Portland study area (Metro, 1999).  The Cascadia 
Subduction Zone fault could produce an earthquake of M 8.0 to 9.0 or greater.  
Geologic evidence shows that earthquakes of similar magnitude have occurred on 
average every 500 to 600 years in this area. Based on the Mutlnomah County 
analysis and pilot project, this hazard was given an initial profile ranking of 
severe.

Historic Losses and Impacts
Damage results from earthquakes because structures that cannot withstand the 
shaking, are situated on ground that amplifies shaking, or are located on soil 
that is subject to liquefaction. Structures can cause injury or fatalities and 
suffer content and functionality losses. The 2001 Nisqually event caused over $2 
billion in losses. The two 1993 Klamath Falls earthquakes (M 5.9 and 6.0) caused 
damage to more than 1,000 buildings and $10 million in losses (DOGAMI, 2002).  
Since 1872, there have been about 25 damaging earthquakes in Washington and 
Oregon (CREW, 2003). 

Example 2-1: Hazard Profile for Earthquake, continued.

A graph showing the peak ground acceleration versus the annual probability of 
occurrence.

Map showing the locations of major past earthquakes categorized by moment of 
magnitude. Source: HAZUS-MH.



Step 3: Inventory Assets

Overview
The third step in the risk assessment is to consider the assets that can be 
impacted by the prioritized hazards from Step 2. Risk is a combination of 
hazard, exposure, and vulnerability. During Step 3, you will assemble 
information about, and document the populations, structures, and lifelines that 
can be impacted by different hazard events. The tasks and outputs for Step 3 are 
shown in Figure 3-1.

Step 3:  Inventory Assets
TASKS:
3.1  	Review HAZUS-MH Provided Inventory Data
3.2  	Perform a Data Gap Analysis
3.3  	Collect Additional Local Data (if needed)
3.4  	Integrate Local Data into HAZUS-MH
OUTPUTS:
  Tables and Maps of Inventory Data
  Updated Local Data in HAZUS-MH
  List of Data Sources (Worksheet 3-1) 

As profiles in Chapter 2 indicate, the primary parameters of a natural hazard 
are the likelihood of occurrence, severity, and geographic location of the 
inventory. HAZUS-MH includes general inventories for your geographically 
assigned study region to support your loss estimates and risk studies. Task 3.1 
involves accessing and understanding the inventory provided by HAZUS-MH. Task 
3.2 takes you through the steps of performing a data gap analysis in case you 
decide to refine your inventory by using local data to perform HAZUS-MH Level 2 
and Level 3 analyses. Task 3.3 provides information on where to collect 
additional data for your risk assessment. Task 3.4 shows you how to integrate 
local data into HAZUS-MH to perform Level 2 and Level 3 analyses. 

Sidebar: Definition: HAZUS-MH Inventory Terms
Asset  Any human-developed or natural feature that has value, including but not 
limited to people, buildings, lifelines, or other features (such as parks or 
cultural centers)
Inventory  Populations, buildings, and lifelines in your study region
Buildings  Commercial, residential, industrial, essential, and critical 
facilities and potentially other user-defined buildings
Lifelines  Transportation and utility systems
Exposure  Presence of an inventory asset in an area susceptible to a hazard 
Vulnerability  How exposed or susceptible to damage an asset is 


Review HAZUS-MH Provided Inventory Data (Task 3.1)
HAZUS-MH includes seven inventory data categories, as follows:
1. General Building Stock. General building types and occupancy classes
2. Essential Facilities. Facilities essential to the health and welfare of the 
community
3. Hazardous Material Facilities. Storage facilities for industrial hazardous 
materials 
4. High Potential Loss Facilities. Facilities that, if affected by disaster, 
would have a high loss or impact on the community 
5. Transportation Lifeline Systems. Transportation systems for air, road, rail, 
and water
6. Utility Lifeline Systems. Utilities include potable water, wastewater, oil, 
natural gas, electric power, and communication systems
7. Demographics. Demographics include population statistics. 
These inventory data are linked geographically to your study region within 
HAZUS-MH. On your study region maps, the inventory data categories are 
symbolized as point, line, and polygon features.

These three types of GIS features include:
1. Point Features. Site-specific facility locations such as essential 
facilities, high potential loss facilities, and hazardous material facilities. 
The facilities data will be geographically displayed as an individual point for 
each facility.
2. Line Features. Site-specific facility locations connected by pipelines for 
utility lifeline systems or roads for transportation lifeline systems. The 
facilities will be geographically displayed as an individual point for each 
facility and lines for pipelines and roads.
3. Polygon Features. A group of facilities or inventory data within a defined 
area such as general building stock and demographic data. The features will be 
geographically displayed as polygons.

Sidebar: Job Aid: Job Aid 3-1 (Appendix E) lists the inventory provided with 
HAZUS-MH, the source and year of the data, and potential local data sources that 
can supplement the HAZUS-MH provided data.  

The HAZUS-MH provided inventory data is gathered from nationally available data 
sources for each of the data sets. The specific data sources for each category 
are presented in Job Aid 3-1 in Appendix E. When accessing and understanding the 
HAZUS-MH provided data, it is important to check the locations of the inventory 
assets. The locations may be checked using high-resolution aerial photos, local 
GIS data overlain in HAZUS-MH, address information, or by personnel familiar 
with the study region. If the location of a major facility such as a hospital, 
school, or fire station is not accurate, HAZUS-MH provides tools to easily 
change the location, and if necessary, the characteristics of the inventory. 
This section describes the types of inventory data provided in HAZUS-MH for each 
of the seven categories and guides you on how to modify and supplement this 
data. 

General Building Stock broadly includes residential, commercial, industrial, and 
public service building types. HAZUS-MH groups the general building stock into 
36 model building types and 28 occupancy classes. Examples of model building 
types include light wood frame, steel-braced frame, concrete frame with 
unreinforced masonry infill walls, and unreinforced masonry. Each model building 
type is further subdivided according to the number of stories or other 
classifications. Examples of occupancy types include single-family dwellings, 
retail trade, heavy industry, and churches.  General building stock is 
aggregated at the Census block or Census tract level. This means that the total 
number of buildings and the number of buildings within each model building type 
and occupancy class are provided for each Census tract or Census block.

To access the HAZUS-MH provided general building stock, select General Building 
Stock from the inventory menu. You will see options to view the general 
building stock by square footage, building count, occupancy mapping, dollar 
exposure, and foundation type. Review the information provided in the tables, 
select a column in the table that is of interest to you, and select the map 
function at the bottom of the menu to view the general building stock 
distribution across the study region.

Essential Facilities include hospitals and other medical facilities, police and 
fire stations, emergency operation centers, and schools (often used as 
shelters).  These facilities are especially important following hazard events. 
The potential consequences of losing these facilities are so great that you may 
want to carefully inventory these facilities.

To access the HAZUS-MH provided essential facility inventory, select Essential 
Facilities from the inventory menu. Review the information provided in the 
tables and select the map function at the bottom of the menu to view the 
locations of these facilities.
Hazardous Material Facilities include storage facilities for industrial or 
hazardous materials such as corrosives, explosives, flammable materials, 
radioactive materials, and toxins.

To access the HAZUS-MH provided hazardous material facility inventory, select 
Hazardous Material Facilities from the inventory menu. Review the information 
provided in the table and select the map function at the bottom of the menu to 
view the facility locations.

High Potential Loss Facilities include nuclear power plants, dams, levees, and 
military installations. These types of facilities would have a high loss or 
impact on the community if they were impacted by a hazard. HAZUS-MH only 
provides data on dams. The database provides a placeholder for levees, nuclear 
power facilities, and military installations.

To access the HAZUS-MH provided high potential loss facility inventory, select 
High Potential Loss Facilities from the inventory menu. Review the information 
provided in the tables and select the map function at the bottom of the menu to 
view the asset locations.

Transportation Lifeline Systems include the following types of infrastructure 
inventory data: 
Airways  airport facilities, airport runways, heliport facilities, and heliport 
landing pads
Highways  bridges, tunnels, and road segments
Railways  light rail systems, tracks, tunnels, bridges, and facilities (rail-
yards and depots)
Waterways  ports (locks, seaports, harbors, dry docks, and piers) and ferries
Bus Stations

To access the HAZUS-MH provided transportation lifeline system inventory, select 
Transportation Lifeline Systems from the inventory menu. Review the 
information provided in the tables and select the map function at the bottom of 
the menu to view the asset locations. 

Utility Lifeline Systems include potable water, wastewater, oil, natural gas, 
electric power, and communication systems. Certain facilities are unique to the 
flood module and others are found only in the earthquake and hurricane modules. 
The types of facilities found in each HAZUS-MH module are based on each 
facilitys susceptibility to loss by each hazard. Job Aid 3-1 in Appendix E 
details these differences. 
 
To access the HAZUS-MH provided utility lifeline system inventory, select 
Utility Lifeline Systems from the inventory menu. Review the information 
provided in the tables and select the map function at the bottom of the menu to 
view the asset locations. Because the national data available for utilities may 
require updating, the HAZUS-MH database provides a placeholder for your local 
utility data.

Sidebar: Note: The intent of DMA 2000 includes the evaluation of risk to 
socially vulnerable populations such as the elderly and low-income families.

Demographics inventory data include total population; age, gender, and race 
distribution; income distribution; number of owners and renters; building age; 
workforce location data; and other data obtained from the U.S. Census Bureau and 
Dun & Bradstreet.  The demographic data are aggregated at the Census block or 
Census tract level.

To access the HAZUS-MH provided demographics, select Demographics from the 
inventory menu.  Select a column from the table and then the map function at the 
bottom of the menu to view the data across the study region.

Congratulations! You have now reviewed the inventory data provided in HAZUS-MH 
and can proceed to perform a data gap analysis, if required, for your study 
area. 


Perform a Data Gap Analysis (Task 3.2)
If you select to use only HAZUS-MH provided data, you will have the necessary 
inventory data to complete your risk assessment. However, if you decide to add 
local data and perform a HAZUS-MH Level 2 or Level 3 analysis, you will need to 
perform a data gap analysis. For this task, you will evaluate schedules, 
resources, priorities, and needs for local inventory data collection.  
The decision to gather additional inventory data should be based on your local 
needs and available resources. Consider the following questions to help 
determine whether additional inventory data may be required:
--Does the general building stock data appear acceptable in terms of number and 
types of buildings?
--Are there areas of recent development that are not reflected by the HAZUS-MH 
provided inventory data?
--Are there essential facilities that are missing or inaccurately described?
--Are there additional transportation and utility lifelines that are important?
--Are there areas within the study region that are of greatest concern, based on 
hazard profiles, and that should be the focus for local data improvement 
efforts?
--Do state or local requirements specify certain categories of assets to be 
addressed (e.g., special facilities such as museums, historical landmarks, or 
government buildings)?

Figure 3-2 illustrates the categories of local inventory data and recommended 
focus areas based on the FEMA field pilot projects performed to date. Certain 
inventory data, such as the locations of hospitals or bridges, are static and 
easier to collect than other inventory data, such as gender composition or 
income levels of the population in a specified area. 

Figure 3-2: Local inventory data collection potential levels of effort. Graphic 
listing the following data collection topics which are ranked from greater 
priority and least effort to least priority and greatest effort:
Essential Facilities (police and fire stations, schools, hospitals, emergency 
operations centers)
User-Specified Facilities (government buildings, historical landmarks, stadiums)
Transportation Lifeline Systems (road segments, bridges)
Hazardous Materials Facilities (storage, industrial labs)
High Potential Loss Facilities (dams, power plants, military bases)
Utility Lifeline Systems (power lines, sewers and water mains)
General Building Stock (numbers of buildings, occupancy and construction 
classifications)
Demographics (age, population, gender) 

Before you begin your gap analysis, determine what resources are available to 
reduce or eliminate data gaps. Then, prioritize areas of your region or specific 
inventory categories (e.g., hospitals) for additional inventory data collection. 
At this point, you may use the hazard maps that you created to determine where 
you may concentrate further inventory data collection efforts. The review of the 
inventory data in HAZUS-MH that you conducted in Task 3.1 will help you identify 
those categories of inventory data that you may want to refine by collecting 
local data. At the end of this step, Worksheet 3-1 provides a tool that you can 
use to consider each inventory asset category provided in HAZUS-MH and potential 
local data sources and available data that you have to support the use of HAZUS-
MH. Job Aid 3-2 in Appendix E provides additional detail regarding the 
attributes included for each inventory category in HAZUS-MH.

Sidebar: Example: The City of Austin, Texas, combined general building stock 
information provided in HAZUS-MH with updated critical facility data for 
hospitals, schools, and emergency operations centers. Buildings of special 
interest based on Texas mitigation requirements, such as stadiums and museums, 
were added as user-specified facilities. Finally, pipeline data for fuel and oil 
pipelines were incorporated into the inventory data sets.

Congratulations! You have now performed a data gap analysis and can proceed to 
collect additional inventory data. 


Collect Additional Local Data (If Needed) (Task 3.3)
If you decide to perform a HAZUS-MH Level 2 or Level 3 analysis, you will need 
to collect local hazard-related data and use local inventory data. Integrating 
local data in HAZUS-MH will produce more refined risk assessments. However, 
collecting extensive new data can become difficult and costly. Job Aid 3-2 in 
Appendix E shows the attribute data you will need for various data categories. 
Before deciding to perform a Level 2 or Level 3 HAZUS-MH analysis, you may want 
to evaluate your resources and determine if you have the staff, time, and 
funding to proceed further. If your resources are limited, you may decide to: 
(a) use only HAZUS-MH provided data as your best available data and plan 
future local data collection efforts; or (b) combine readily-available local 
data with the data provided in HAZUS-MH (see Task 3.4).  

Sidebar: Job Aid: Job Aid 3-2 (Appendix E) lists the inventory categories for 
HAZUS-MH and the specific attributes required for each category.

If you have the resources to start your data collection, it would be wise to 
assess which data you need to collect and which efforts would be most cost-
effective. You may want to gather detailed information for a particular category 
of inventory data that you believe has changed significantly since the latest 
version of the HAZUS-MH software was released. Alternately, you may want to 
refine all of the inventory categories for a particular area of your study 
region that is vulnerable to one or more significant hazards. You may decide to 
gather detailed inventory information for all of the essential facilities, or 
you may focus your attention just on the schools or hospitals. Remember that 
HAZUS-MH will provide refined risk studies as you provide quality local data.    

Sidebar: Note:  You may want to update site-specific information when you review 
a list of facilities and know that one of those facilities is no longer used or 
if you know that additional facilities in that inventory category have been 
added. For example, if a new school is built, you could add that school to the 
school inventory category without replacing or updating the entire data set.

To start or expand your current efforts in data collection, contact local 
personnel such as the tax assessor, the department of public works manager, 
county officials, and GIS specialists, and ask them for the necessary inventory 
data. Job Aid 3-1 in Appendix E will help you with this process. You may want to 
share this Job Aid with appropriate personnel so that they can guide you in your 
effort of data collection. When collecting local data, ask for data in an 
electronic format when feasible. Keep a log of all data collected so that you 
can document your risk assessment study in your mitigation plan.


Integrate Local Data into HAZUS-MH (Task 3.4)
Local data can be integrated into HAZUS-MH using the following tools or 
techniques:
--Edit or Import Inventory Data Tables. You can directly update the inventory 
data tables if you have databases containing all of the required fields shown in 
Job Aid 3-2 (Appendix E) or if you want to add or remove selected data from a 
particular inventory category. If you do not have all of the required fields, 
you may want to develop the data based on assumptions from similar existing 
inventory contained in your study region or by field data collection.
--Collect Data Using InCAST. You can use the Inventory Collection and Survey 
Tool (InCAST) to collect building and infrastructure data. Use InCAST if you are 
integrating limited building data or if you do not have existing electronic 
data.
--Organize and Import Data Using BIT-MH. The Building Import Tool for Multi-
Hazards (BIT-MH) allows you to incorporate building data for the general 
building stock only, and is most useful for integrating large sets of data. Use 
BIT-MH if you have one or more large sets of databases or spreadsheets and you 
are importing building information, not infrastructure data.

Instructions for each data integration option are presented in the following 
subsections.


Edit HAZUS-MH Inventory Data Tables
You can add or edit one or more site-specific (point) feature records directly 
in the HAZUS-MH data tables. You can use this approach to improve inventories of 
essential facilities, high potential loss facilities, lifeline components, and 
facilities storing hazardous materials. When you identify a new site, you will 
need to add a new feature record with attributes.  Follow the directions 
provided below to update one or more site-specific records:

1. To access the appropriate inventory category. Select a category from the 
HAZUS-MH inventory menu.
2. To edit an existing table. Left-click on a record; then right-click and 
choose Start Editing (see Figure 3-3).
3. To delete current records. Highlight the record to be deleted, right-click 
the table, and select Delete Selected Records.
4. To insert a new record. Right-click the table and select Add New Record.
5. To modify a record. Double click in the appropriate box and make the edit or 
add new data.
6. To stop an editing session. Right-click and choose Stop Editing.


Figure 3-3: Example of an inventory table. Graphic showing a computer screenshot 
of the inventory table, with the "Start Editing" selection highlighted.


Import Local Inventory Data Tables into HAZUS-MH
This approach is appropriate if you want to modify, add, or delete a large 
number of facilities concurrently and develop database files as part of Task 
3.3. The following steps will help you import local inventory data tables 
directly:  
1. To access the appropriate inventory category. Select a category from the 
HAZUS-MH inventory menu (see Figure 3-3: graphic showing and example of an 
inventory table).

2. To import electronic data into an existing table. Left-click on a record; 
then right-click and choose Start Editing.  Now that you are in 	the edit 
mode, Import will appear in bold when you right-click the mouse (see Figure 3-
4).


Figure 3-4: Import feature with attributes. Graphic showing computer screenshot 
of the inventory table, with the "Import" selection highlighted.


3. To access your local data file. Enter the directory and filename for the 
database that you wish to import as shown in Figure 3-5.


Figure 3-5: Identifying the database to be imported. Graphic showing computer 
screenshot of the Open dialog box, which lists Microsoft Access database files.


4. To assist you in converting your electronic database to the appropriate 
format for HAZUS-MH. Click the right mouse button while you are in the inventory 
portion of HAZUS-MH and access the import utility.  Select the appropriate 
database created in Task 3.3 and then click on the OK button.

5. To map your data file (source file) with HAZUS-MH. Use the mapping menu shown 
in Figure 3-6. Map each field in your database to the corresponding field in the 
HAZUS-MH database. The mapping that you have defined will now disappear from the 
Source and Target menus and will appear in the Mapping Results box at the bottom 
of the window.


Figure 3-6: Source and target field mapping tool. Graphic showing computer 
screenshot of the mapping menu.


6. To support the field mapping efforts. You should first make sure you 
understand the number of characters and format required for each data item. The 
Database Dictionary provided as Appendix E of the HAZUS-MH Earthquake User 
Manual contains the names and structures of all the databases used by HAZUS-MH. 
Using the dictionary, you can determine appropriate titles for target fields. An 
abbreviated form of the Database Dictionary is available in HAZUS-MH. To access 
the dictionary, click the right mouse button; using the menu shown in Figure 3-
4, click on Data Dictionary. An example from the Database Dictionary is shown 
in Figure 3-7.


Figure 3-7: Interactive database dictionary. Graphic showing computer screenshot 
of a database dictionary.


7. To assure your data file is appropriately mapped. Review the mapping menu. If 
you see a mistake, click on the Delete button, and the last mapping pair that 
you defined will be undone.

8. To complete your local data imports. Click on the OK button, wait a few 
seconds, and your imported database will be displayed in HAZUS-MH. You do not 
have to map all of the fields on the Source (local data) menu. However, any 
fields that you do not map will not be imported into the target (HAZUS-MH 
inventory) database.

9. To use your local database mapping scheme for future data integration 
efforts. You can save the mapping scheme you defined so it can be reapplied to 
other files. Click on the Save button shown in Figure 3-6, and the dialog box 
shown in Figure 3-8 will appear. Enter a name for the mapping scheme, and click 
on the OK button. To retrieve the saved mapping scheme, click on the Load 
button shown in Figure 3-6.


Figure 3-8: Saving a database mapping scheme. Graphic showing a computer 
screenshot of the "Save As" dialog box.


Sidebar: HAZUS-MH Software: In HAZUS-MH, the fields of the Source (local data) 
menu do not have to be in the same order or have the same names as the fields in 
the target (HAZUS-MH inventory database). To define the desired mapping scheme, 
simply click on a field name on the Source menu (such as LON) and the 
corresponding field name on the Target menu (Longitude); then click on the 
Add button.


Collect Data Using InCAST
InCAST allows the user to integrate point data for buildings in a user-friendly, 
standardized manner. Data integration using InCAST addresses four distinct 
datasets:  
-- General data common to all hazards  
-- Earthquake-related data
-- Flood-related data
-- Wind-related data

InCAST can be run without first opening HAZUS-MH. To use InCAST:
1. Start the program. Click on the Windows Start button and then on 
Programs; you will find the InCAST program in the FEMA Risk Assessment 
System folder.

2. Create your InCAST database. You will be prompted to create a new database or 
open an existing database. For your first session, you will create a new 
database and then select its location.

3. Enter the data. You are now ready to begin entering building data for your 
study region. (During future sessions, you can edit your database at this 
point.) Figure 3-9 presents an example of a data input screen in InCAST. The 
topic tabs near the top are used to distinguish between hazard datasets. Hazard 
datasets that are not applicable to your study region do not need to be 
completed. For example, if the earthquake hazard is not a concern, skip the 
associated topic tab.  Figures 3-10, 3-11, and 3-12 present data input screens 
for the earthquake, flood, and wind (hurricane) hazards.

4. Save the database. When you are finished entering data, click on File at 
the top left, and then click on Save. This procedure will save the database. 
You will use this database when you begin running HAZUS-MH, so note its file 
location.


Figure 3-9: InCAST general menu. Graphic showing a computer screenshot of the 
InCAST general menu.


Figure 3-10: InCAST earthquake menu. Graphic showing a computer screenshot of 
the InCAST earthquake menu.


Figure 3-11: InCAST flood menu. Graphic showing a computer screenshot of the 
InCAST flood menu.


Figure 3-12: InCAST wind menu. Graphic showing a computer screenshot of the 
InCAST wind menu.


Organize and Import Data Using BIT-MH
BIT-MH allows a user to integrate existing building datasets (not infrastructure 
datasets) into HAZUS-MH. BIT-MH also is found in the FEMA Risk Assessment 
System folder. To use BIT-MH, perform the five activities described below:

1. Specify an input file. After BIT-MH begins running, you will be prompted to 
specify an input file (see Figure 3-13). This input file must be an Access 
table, a dbase table, or a text file. County-specific datasets will be processed 
individually. Therefore, if your study region encompasses multiple counties, 
repeat each of these five activities for each county. 

Sidebar: HAZUS-MH software: For additional information on the BIT-MH tool, see 
Chapter 8 of the HAZUS-MH Earthquake User Manual.


Figure 3-13: BIT-MH startup window. Graphic showing a computer screenshot of the 
BIT-MH startup menu, with the "Specify Input File" button highlighted.


2. Map the attributes. After specifying the input file, you will be prompted to 
map the attributes (see Figure 3-14). This process redefines the field names in 
your local data with names compatible with those used in HAZUS-MH. A minimum of 
10 attributes must be mapped: area, building value, content value, building 
type, occupancy class, age or year of construction, height or number of stories, 
design code (low, medium, or high), latitude, and longitude. As you proceed, you 
may also need to convert units of measurement (e.g., HAZUS-MH requires square 
footage for area attributes).


Figure 3-14: Mapping menu. Graphic showing a computer screenshot of the mapping 
menu, which shows Fields Mapping sources and targets.


3. Categorize the attributes. After mapping the attributes, you will be prompted 
to categorize them (see Figure 3-15). This process allows the categorization of 
the 10 or more attributes that you just mapped. The attribute values will be 
transformed into HAZUS-MH acceptable values (see Figure 3-16). For more 
information on field categorization, see Chapter 8.5 in the HAZUS-MH Earthquake 
User Manual.


Figure 3-15: Category menu. Graphic showing a computer screenshot of the 
category menu.


Figure 3-16: Category mapping menu. Graphic showing a computer screenshot of the 
category mapping menu.


4. Aggregate the data. After categorizing the attributes, you will be prompted 
to aggregate the data at the Census block and Census tract levels (e.g., square 
footage by Specific Occupancy and Building Count by Specific Occupancy). 
For more information on data aggregation, see Chapter 8.6 in the HAZUS-MH 
Earthquake User Manual.

5. View results. After aggregating the data, you will be given the option of 
viewing the results. This activity is primarily for quality control and 
assurance purposes and should be completed before the data are used in HAZUS-MH. 
For more information on BIT-MH results, see Chapter 8.7 in the HAZUS-MH 
Earthquake User Manual.
 
Congratulations! You have now successfully integrated your local data into 
HAZUS-MH. 

  
Summary
When you are finished with Step 3, you will have collected and integrated 
inventory data into HAZUS-MH. These inventory data may include essential 
facilities, hazardous material storage (HazMat) facilities, high potential loss 
facilities, transportation and lifeline facilities, demographic data, and 
general building stock. Table 3-1 will help you verify that you have completed 
the activities for Step 3.


Table 3-1: Inventory Assets Activities and Outputs Checklist
This table consists of three columns: Activity, Output, and Check Completed 
Items. The Check Completed Items column has been left blank for notations. The 
information in the table is summarized as follows:

Activity: Review HAZUS-MH provided inventory data 
(Task 3.1)
Output: Understanding of inventory provided in HAZUS-MH, including:
  General building stock
  Essential facilities
  HazMat facilities
  High potential loss facilities
  Transportation and utility lifeline systems
  Demographic data

Activity: Perform a data gap analysis
(Task 3.2)	
Output: Determination to use Level 1 inventory data and documentation of basis 
for decision (go to Step 4) or documentation of determination to collect 
additional data (go to Task 3.3)

Activity: Collect additional local data (if needed)
(Task 3.3)	
Output: Worksheet 3-1 and updated inventory data collected for some or all of 
the following categories:
  General building stock
  Essential facilities
  HazMat facilities
  High potential loss facilities
  Transportation and utility lifeline systems
  Demographic data

Activity: Integrate local data into HAZUS-MH 
(Task 3.4)	
Output: Updated HAZUS-MH data integrated into HAZUS-MH for some or all of the 
following categories:
  General building stock
  Essential facilities
  HazMat facilities
  High potential loss facilities
  Transportation and utility lifeline systems
  Demographic data

Complete any missing items in your checklist, and then continue to Step 4.
 
GO TO Step 4: Estimate Losses
 
WORKSHEET 3-1:  HAZUS-MH Inventory Data and Data Sources
Worksheet 3-1 shows the sources and dates of data provided by HAZUS-MH. This 
worksheet can help you to keep track of your local data, sources, and 
reliability. It helps you compare data provided in HAZUS-MH with data that you 
have collected or wish to collect. Complete the column on the right to record 
your local data.  

The worksheet is in the form of a table and has four columns:
Inventory Asset Category
Supported in Database Model
HAZUS-MH Provided Data Source (Year)
Local Data Source and Comments (Indicate N/A for not applicable if using HAZUS-
MH Provided Data) 


Example 3-1:  HAZUS-MH Inventory Data and Data Sources
Example 3-1 shows the HAZUS-MH provided and local data reviewed and used for the 
Austin, Texas, pilot project. 

The example is a completed version of Worksheet 3-1



Step 4: Estimate Losses

Overview
The fourth step in the risk assessment process involves running the HAZUS-MH 
loss estimation models. For this step, you will run HAZUS-MH loss estimation 
models and scenarios, and evaluate your hazard events and inventory results for 
your study region. In addition, you will be introduced to the Risk Assessment 
Tool (RAT), a companion software tool to HAZUS-MH that will help you to expedite 
the preparation of your risk assessment outputs, and to the Flood Wizard, a 
companion software tool to HAZUS-MH that will quickly assess inventory exposure 
and loss for a study region.  Figure 4-1 provides the tasks and outputs for this 
step.

Figure 4-1. Step 4 tasks and outputs
Step 4:  Estimate Losses
TASKS:
4.1 Integrate Hazard Profile Data for HAZUS-MH Level 2
4.2 Run HAZUS-MH Scenarios
4.3 Run the Risk Assessment Tool
4.4 Calculate Exposure for Hazards Not Included in HAZUS-MH
4.5 Evaluate the Results of Your Risk Assessment
OUTPUTS:
--HAZUS-MH Loss Estimate Tables, Maps, and Summary Reports(Worksheets 4-1 and 4-
2)
--Flood Wizard and Risk Assessment Tool Outputs (Worksheet 4-2) 


HAZUS-MH includes loss estimation models for earthquake, flood, and hurricane 
hazards. Task 4.1 involves setting up your scenarios to obtain loss estimates. 
Task 4.2 explains how to run the HAZUS-MH models. Task 4.3 involves preparing 
and documenting a risk assessment using the RAT, a companion software tool to 
HAZUS-MH. Task 4.4 addresses how HAZUS-MH can support the identification of 
assets exposed to hazards other than earthquakes, floods, and hurricanes. Task 
4.5 involves reviewing and evaluating the estimates generated during Tasks 4.1, 
4.2, 4.3, and 4.4 to assess their completeness, compare risks, and evaluate 
acceptability. 

Sidebar: Wizard: The Risk Assessment Tool
FEMA has developed a companion software tool to HAZUS-MH called the HAZUS-MH 
Risk Assessment Tool (RAT) to help you produce your risk assessment outputs for 
earthquakes, floods, and hurricanes. This tool was developed as a third-party 
model to support HAZUS-MH and is used to display the outputs from the HAZUS-MH 
risk assessment in an easy-to-use format.  

Sidebar: Definition: HAZUS-MH Loss Estimate Terms
Loss  Structural loss, content loss, and function loss
Functional downtime  The average time (in days) during which a function 
(business or service) is unavailable to provide its services because of a hazard 
event
Displacement time  The average time (in days) that a buildings occupants must 
operate from a temporary location because of building damage resulting from a 
hazard event
Function loss  Functional downtime costs + displacement time costs
Casualties  Impacts on humans (ranging from low impact to severe injury and 
death)
Return period loss  The average loss over a certain period of time for all 
hazard events

 
Deterministic and Probabilistic Scenarios in HAZUS-MH
To obtain loss estimation results, HAZUS-MH runs deterministic and probabilistic 
scenarios. For the purpose of this How-To Guide, probabilistic scenarios are 
identified as the best option for the following reasons:
--The estimated losses are the average expected value of loss in any one year.  
--An average of expected value of losses can help decision-makers to plan cost-
effective budgets to address high priority natural hazard concerns.
--The average annualized losses can help to identify cost-effective mitigation 
measures. 
--Cost-effective mitigation measures can produce savings (avoided losses) and 
help to address budgetary needs and constraints.

Sidebar: Note: Exposure
Although it is not used in this context in HAZUS-MH, the term exposure is 
insurance parlance for the dollar value of the risk portfolio and is thus 
applicable to discussions of loss estimation as well as general inventory 
identification.

Probabilistic analyses can be used to develop estimates of average yearly losses 
(annualized losses) as well as the expected distribution of losses (return 
period losses). These estimates reflect the full spectrum of potential events 
that can occur in a particular region. The probabilistic approach allows the 
user to generate estimates of damage and loss based on probabilistic hazards for 
five (flood), seven (hurricane), or eight (earthquake) return periods.  

Sidebar: Definition: HAZUS-MH Annualized Losses
HAZUS-MH allows you to estimate annualized losses. Annualized loss is the 
estimated long-term value of losses to the general building stock averaged on an 
annual basis for a specific hazard type. Annualized loss considers all future 
losses for a specific hazard type resulting from possible hazard events with 
different magnitudes and return periods averaged on a per year basis. Like 
other loss estimates, annualized loss is an estimate based on available data and 
models. Therefore, the actual loss in any given year can be substantially higher 
or lower than the estimated annualized loss.

Refer to Chapter 15 of the Earthquake Technical Manual for more details.

Deterministic analysis relies on the laws of physics or on correlations 
developed through experience or testing to predict the outcome of a particular 
hazard scenario. In the deterministic approach, one or more possible scenarios 
can be developed that represent the worst possible credible events. In this 
approach, the frequency of possible occurrence needs to be evaluated.

Probabilistic analysis evaluates the statistical likelihood that a specific 
event will occur and what losses and consequences will result. The probabilistic 
approach may use both statistics and historical information. This How-To Guide 
focuses on probabilistic analysis. The HAZUS-MH User Manuals contain 
instructions concerning both scenarios.

Using HAZUS-MH provided data or local data already incorporated into the 
software, proceed to run HAZUS-MH. Preliminary results will take the form of 
standardized hazard outputs. These outputs estimate damages and losses, 
including direct losses, induced losses, social losses, and business 
interruption.

Sidebar: Note: Points To Keep In Mind When Estimating Losses
HAZUS-MH estimates aggregate impacts on buildings and other structures and on 
general areas. It is an estimation tool and does not identify which specific 
buildings might be impacted. The loss estimation results are estimates of 
overall impacts that are intended to guide overall mitigation efforts. However, 
due to the limited history of observations for some hazards (e.g., hurricanes), 
limited knowledge of actual building characteristics, modeling simplifications, 
and other factors, the user may encounter some variation in the results produced 
by a probabilistic analysis.

Developing the loss estimates in HAZUS-MH will require five activities: 
--Integrate hazard profile data for HAZUS-MH Level 2
--Run HAZUS-MH scenarios
--Run the RAT
--Calculate exposure for hazards not included in HAZUS-MH
--Evaluate the results of the risk assessment 
 
These activities are detailed below, for the three major hazards addressed by 
HAZUS-MH.


Integrate Hazard Profile Data for HAZUS-MH Level 2 (Task 4.1)
Data integration is required if you have collected local data as part of Task 
2.3 to supplement the HAZUS-MH provided data. Local hazard data integration is 
discussed below for the earthquake, flood, and hurricane hazards.


Earthquakes 
There are two techniques in the earthquake module to update the hazard 
assumptions and data provided with HAZUS-MH. The first method involves changing 
the soil type, landslide, liquefaction, and water depth values for the study 
region as a whole. The second method involves importing a GIS layer into HAZUS-
MH and using the values found in the attribute table of that layer to update the 
soil type, liquefaction, landslide, and water depth values.

To update the assumptions for the study region, follow the directions below.
1. To access the Scenario Wizard, select Scenario under the hazard menu. The 
Earthquake Hazard Scenario Selection menu will become available as shown in 
Figure 4-2).
2. To begin defining the hazard maps, select Define hazard maps under 
Scenario event. Then click Next. The Define Hazard Maps Option menu will now 
be available, as shown in Figure 4-3.
3. To assign a value to the entire study region, open the drop-down box to the 
right of Class or Value, and select or type the appropriate value. Refer to 
Appendix B in the HAZUS-MH Earthquake Technical Manual for a more detailed 
description of the hazard map values. 

To integrate the earthquake hazard data as map layers collected in Step 2, 
follow the directions below.
1. To begin integrating your local hazard data, select Data Maps under the 
Hazard menu. The Data Maps Dialog box will become available.
2. To locate your local data, select Add map to list. Then browse to the 
location of your soil map collected in Step 2. This map should be in the 
geodatabase file format. Repeat this process for the liquefaction, landslide, 
and water depth maps at this time.
3. To begin using your data in a scenario, select Scenario under the Hazard 
menu. The Earthquake Hazard Scenario Selection menu will become available as 
shown in Figure 4-2.
4. To define your local data, select Define hazard maps under Scenario 
event. Then click Next. The Define Hazard Maps Option menu will now be 
available, as shown in Figure 4-3.


Figure 4-2: Earthquake hazard scenario selection menu. Graphic showing computer 
screenshot of the earthquake hazard scenario selection menu.


Figure 4-3: Define hazard maps option menu. Graphic showing computer screenshot 
of the define hazard maps option menu.


Floods (Coastal)
You will use the Flood Information Tool (FIT) provided with the HAZUS-MH suite 
of programs, to integrate the local flood hazard maps you collected in Step 2. 
The FIT allows you to integrate local flood hazard data into HAZUS-MH. The local 
flood hazard data may include topographic data, a digital elevation model (DEM), 
flood elevations, floodplain boundaries, Q3 data, FIRM data, and DFIRM data. 
Before running the FIT, you need to have the following datasets in a common 
projection:
 a.  A DEM in grid format
 b.  Flood elevations in polyline and polygon formats
 c.  Floodplain boundaries in polygon formats

Sidebar: Reference: Additional instructions for using the FIT are available in 
Section 3.3 of the Flood User Manual and the FIT User Manual.  

The FIT is run from HAZUS-MH or ArcGIS; it is not a stand-alone program. The FIT 
is an ArcGIS extension that can not be installed from the HAZUS-MH wizard. FIT 
must be installed using the Flood Information Tool installer.  Start the HAZUS-
MH program and load the flood toolbar to begin using the FIT. To load the 
toolbar (shown in Figure 4-4), right click on the menu and select Flood 
Information Tool. The FIT consists of modules for riverine and coastal 
analyses.


Figure 4-4: FIT startup menu. Graphic showing computer screenshot of the flood 
toolbar and the FIT startup menu.


To run the FIT for a coastal analysis, follow the instructions below.
1. To setup and validate your project, identify your input map layers (datasets 
a [DEM], b [flood elevation], and c  [floodplain boundary]); collect 
project information; and ensure that the input data share the same projection, 
reference datum point, and units.  Information needs to be completed under four 
tabs, as shown in Figure 4-5. 
--The General tab allows you to select the flood hazard and define the working 
directory, basin name, and reach name.
--The Ground Surface tab allows you to specify the DEM layer (data set a).
--The Flood Surface tab allows you to identify the flood elevation map layer 
(data set b).
--The Floodplain Boundary tab allows you to select the floodplain boundary 
layer (data set c) and collect description information.


Figure 4-5: Project setup screen. Graphic showing computer screenshot of the 
project setup screen, which includes four tabs for entering information.


2. To begin to use the coastal flood depth grid wizard, define the flood area 
and characteristics to be analyzed within your study region. You will also 
develop flood depth grids around coastal areas. To run the FIT for a coastal 
flood, an onscreen menu will guide you through the following process:
a. Build the elevation grid
b. Draw the shoreline at mean sea level
c. Define the shoreline segments
d. Define the shoreline characteristics
e. Compute the flood depth grids

At this point, all your flood hazard profile data should be compatible and 
loaded into HAZUS-MH. 


Floods (Riverine)
HAZUS-MH will support the evaluation of the flood hazard using two methods, a 
detailed loss estimate described below and an exposure and loss estimation using 
the Flood Wizard discussed in Step 4.2. The detailed loss estimate requires a 
significant amount of processing time and may not be feasible for larger study 
regions.

The FIT allows you to integrate local flood hazard data into HAZUS-MH.  The 
local flood hazard data may include topographic data, a DEM, flood elevations, 
floodplain boundaries, Q3 data, FIRM data, and DFIRM data. Before running the 
FIT, you need to have the following datasets in a common projection:
a.  A DEM in grid format
b.  Flood elevations in polyline and polygon formats
c.  Floodplain boundaries in polygon formats

The FIT is run from HAZUS-MH or ArcGIS because the tool is not a stand-alone 
program. Start the HAZUS-MH program and load the flood toolbar to begin using 
the FIT. Select the FIT for riverine analysis (see Figure 4-4).

To run the FIT for a riverine analysis, follow the instructions below:
1. Setup and validate project. This activity involves identifying your input map 
layers (datasets a [DEM], b [flood elevation], and c [floodplain boundary]); 
collecting project information; and ensuring that the input data share the same 
projection, reference datum point, and units. Information needs to be completed 
under four tabs as shown in Figure 4-5. 
--The General tab allows you to select the flood hazard and define the working 
directory, basin name, and reach name.  
--The Ground Surface tab allows you to specify the DEM (data set a), and 
select the source, elevation units, and vertical datum.  Also, it displays the 
projection and cell units.
--The Flood Surface tab allows you to identify the flood elevation map layer 
(data set b), display metadata, and collect description information.  
--The Floodplain Boundary tab allows you to identify the floodplain boundary 
layer (data set c), including the elevation units and vertical datum, and to 
specify descriptive information.

2. Use the riverine flood depth grid wizard. This activity involves defining the 
flood area to be analyzed within your study region. You will also develop flood 
depth grids around rivers and backwater areas and merge these grids. To develop 
and merge your flood depth grids, an onscreen menu will guide you through the 
following process:
a. Select the upstream and downstream limits of your analysis areas
b. Define the width of your analysis areas
c. Adjust the buffer zone to balance inclusion of flooded areas and processing 
time
d. Define flood elevation attribute fields
e. Draw polygons around backwater areas
f. Assign elevations to backwater areas
g. Merge all flood depth grids

At this point, your local flood hazard profile data should be compatible and 
integrated into HAZUS-MH.


Hurricanes
The HAZUS-MH module assigns values (general parameters) for surface roughness 
and vegetation from national land use maps based on your geographic location. 
The Edit function of the hurricane model can be used when you have collected 
surface roughness and vegetation data. In this case, select Analysis from the 
HAZUS-MH main menu and then select Parameters. Select Terrain or Trees to 
change the values assigned to each Census block or tract.

If you want to update the assigned values, follow the directions below:  
1. To begin updating the terrain map, select Analysis from the HAZUS-MH main 
menu and then select Parameters. These menu items can be seen in Figure 4-6. 
Select Terrain to change the surface roughness values. The table in Figure 4-7 
should now be available to edit.


Figure 4-6: Editing the hazard maps. Graphic showing computer screenshot of the 
HAZUS-MH main menu, on which the "Analysis" dropdown list is shown and the 
"Parameters" and "Trees" selections have been highlighted.


Figure 4-7: Terrain table. Graphic showing computer screenshot of the terrain 
table, with a Surface Roughness Length value selected.


2. To edit a value in the terrain table, double click in the box you want to 
change and edit the number directly. You may also want to map the surface 
roughness of your study region. To map the values, click on the column title to 
highlight the entire column and select Map below. A GIS layer will show up on 
your study region.

3. To save changes to the terrain table, click OK.  A box will pop up asking 
if you want to save changes. Click Yes.  

4. To begin updating the trees map, select Analysis from the HAZUS-MH main 
menu and then select Parameters. These menu items can be seen in Figure 4-6. 
Select Trees to change the tree parameters. The table in Figure 4-8 should now 
be available to edit.


Figure 4-8: Tree parameter table. Graphic showing computer screenshot of the 
tree parameter table, with a Stems per Acre value selected.


5. To edit a specific parameter in the tree parameters table, double click in 
the box you want to change and edit the number directly. You may also want to 
map the different parameters in your study region. To map the values, click on 
the column title to highlight the entire column and select Map below. A GIS 
layer will show up on your study region.

6. To save changes to the tree parameter table, click OK. A box will pop up 
asking if you want to save changes. Click Yes. 

 Congratulations! You have now integrated in HAZUS-MH the information needed to 
run your loss estimation analyses.  


Run HAZUS-MH Scenarios (Task 4.2)
HAZUS-MH scenarios can be run for the earthquake, flood, and hurricane hazards. 
The steps to run these scenarios are discussed below. Worksheet 4-1 will help 
you document the results.

Run an Earthquake Scenario
To run a probabilistic earthquake scenario, follow the instructions below:
1. To begin setting up the scenario, select Scenario under the Hazard menu and 
then select Next. The Earthquake Hazard Scenario Selection menu will appear 
with four scenario event options: Define a new scenario, Use a pre-defined 
scenario, Delete an existing scenario, and Define hazard maps. Select 
Define a new scenario. The Seismic Hazard Type Selection menu shown in Figure 
4-9 will now appear.


Figure 4-9: Seismic hazard type selection menu. Graphic showing computer 
screenshot of the seismic hazard type selection menu.


2. To run a probabilistic analysis, select Probabilistic hazard under Seismic 
hazard type and click on Next. The Probabilistic Hazard Selection menu shown 
in Figure 4-10 will now appear. Select the return period and the moment 
magnitude of interest. This value could be estimated based on your historical 
research conducted in Step 2. For your risk assessment, you will want to run a 
HAZUS-MH analysis for all the return periods available as well as run the annual 
loss option. Select Next. The Hazard Scenario Event Name menu shown in Figure 
4-11 should now appear.


Figure 4-10: Probabilistic hazard selection menu. Graphic showing computer 
screenshot of the probabilistic hazard selection menu.


Figure 4-11: Hazard scenario event name menu. Graphic showing computer 
screenshot of the hazard scenario event name menu, on which the blank for 
entering an event name is shown.


3. To identify your scenario, enter a name for the scenario event (40 characters 
maximum) in the space provided. Click on Next to end the scenario wizard. 

4. To run your analysis, select Analysis on the main menu, and then select 
Run. The menu shown in Figure 4-12 should now be displayed, click on the plus 
and minus signs to expand and collapse the lists of available options. You can 
now run the analysis. The analysis options include general buildings, essential 
facilities, military installations, advanced engineering building mode, user-
defined structures, transportation systems, utility systems, induced physical 
damage, direct social losses, indirect economic impact, and contour maps. Select 
the categories of analysis you wish to perform, and click on OK. The 
earthquake model can perform all of the analysis options shown; the more you 
select, the longer the processing time. 


Figure 4-12: Analysis options menu. Graphic showing computer screenshot of the 
analysis options menu, on which available options are listed under the heading 
of Inventory View.



Run a Flood Scenario Using HAZUS-MH

Sidebar: HAZUS-MH software: The term "study case" in the flood module is similar 
to the term "scenario" in the earthquake and hurricane module.

To run a probabilistic flood scenario for a riverine or coastal flood, follow 
the directions below.
1. To begin running a flood scenario, select Study Case on the Hazard menu, 
and then select New. The study case defines the specific stream reaches or 
lengths of coastline and the hydrologic and hydraulic characteristics that you 
wish to include in one analysis run. A study case could include all the stream 
reaches in your study region, but because the analysis requires significant 
computer processing, you may wish to divide your study region into several 
smaller study cases. When the Run Hydrology option on the Hazard menu is 
enabled, you will be able to perform the hydrologic and hydraulic analyses.

2.   To identify your scenario, you will be prompted with a window (see Figure 
4-13) to name your study case and to write a description (optional). When you 
open your study cases in the future, your descriptions will be visible to help 
you differentiate among similar study cases. 


Figure 4-13: Create new study case dialog box. Graphic showing computer 
screenshot of the create a new case study dialog box.


3. The riverine analysis requires defining the study case reaches and running 
the hydrologic analysis: 
a. To begin selecting the stream reaches used in the scenario, use the dialog 
New Study Case shown in Figure 4-14, which will enable you to select the 
stream reaches that you would like to include in the study case. You may use the 
Select Features tool (the button with the arrow icon) to select particular 
stream reaches by clicking on them or draw a box around certain areas to select 
multiple reaches. If you hold down the Shift key, you can select or remove 
additional stream reaches by clicking on them. 
b. To complete stream reach selection and the definition of the study case, 
click OK. The color of the highlighting of the selected streams will change 
when this process is complete. Once you have defined your study case, the 
Hydrologic Analysis option on the Hazard menu is enabled. You can now perform 
the hydrologic and hydraulic analysis. 
c. To begin running the hydrology calculation for the study case stream reaches 
that you have selected, select Hydrologic Analysis on the Hazard menu. HAZUS-
MH will analyze the discharge-frequency relationship for each reach in the study 
case based on USGS data and equations. The hydrology process needs to be 
performed once for each reach in the study region.


Figure 4-14: Stream reach selection. Graphic showing computer screenshot of the 
stream reach selection screen.


4. For the coastal analysis, characterizing the shoreline is required; you will 
provide the flood model with the information necessary to determine which models 
will be run, including frontal dune erosion, What-If, and Runup. To characterize 
the shoreline:
a. Select Shoreline Characterization under the Hazard menu (see Figure 4-15). 
Activate the Startline Radio button in the Shoreline Limits dialog and press 
the Draw button to identify the start point (Shoreline Start). Activate the 
Startline Radio button and press the Draw button to identify the finish point 
(Shoreline Finish) of the shoreline segment to characterize. In between these 
two points, you may add any breaks in the shoreline (Breaklines) where the 
geographic characteristics of the shoreline change. Activate the Breakline radio 
button to draw Breaklines.  


Figure 4-15: Hazard menu. Graphic showing computer screenshot of the hazard 
menu, with the "Shoreline Characterization" selection highlighted.


Sidebar: HAZUS software: The What-If analysis options in the flood module 
include levee assessment, upstream storage, and simplified velocity for the 
riverine analysis. The What-If analysis options include long-term erosion and 
shore protection for the coastal analysis.

b. Select Next and you will be moved to a dialog to define information 
regarding the shoreline characteristics, wave exposure, and 100-year still water 
elevation. The Shoreline Type tab has two combo boxes to define Wave exposure 
(Open Coast, Moderate exposure, etc.) and Shoreline type (rocky bluffs, sandy 
bluffs, little beach, etc.). At the top of the dialog, the user can switch from 
one shoreline segment (if more than one) to another and back using the arrow 
buttons. The 100-Year Flood Condition tab allows you to provide the 100-year 
still water elevation from a Flood Insurance Study. This information is readily 
available online at the FEMA Map store at http://www.fema.gov.

Sidebar: HAZUS software: For the hurricane analysis, there are currently no 
damage or loss estimates for high potential loss facilities, transportation 
lifelines, utility lifelines, or hazardous material storage facilities.   

5. To begin running the hydrology, select Run Hydrology on the Hazard menu to 
launch the hydrologic calculations for the study case stream reaches that you 
have selected. HAZUS-MH will analyze the discharge-frequency relationship for 
each reach in the study case based on USGS data and equations. This information 
is stored at each node for each reach. The hydrology process needs to be 
performed once for each reach in the study region. 
 
6. To begin running the scenario, select Calculate Hazard from the Hazard menu 
and the window shown in Figure 4-15 will appear. 
 
7. To select the analysis type, select the type of hazard analysis you would 
like to run on the pull-down menu. During the hydraulic analysis, HAZUS-MH 
computes a flood elevation and a flood depth grid for each user-defined 
frequency or discharge. You will need to run this analysis for each new return 
period or each new study case. You can run (1) multiple return periods of 10, 
50, 100, 200, and 500 years; (2) a single, user specified return period; and/or 
(3) annualized loss. It is now time to run the analysis. Select Analysis on 
the main menu, and then select Run. The menu shown in Figure 4-16 (graphic 
showing the analysis options menu) should now be displayed.  

8. To select the analysis options, click on the plus and minus signs to expand 
and collapse the lists of available options (see Figure 4-16). Select the 
analyses to be performed, and click OK. The analysis options include general 
building stock damage and loss, essential facilities, user defined structures, 
transportation systems, utility systems, agricultural products, vehicles, 
debris, direct social loss, indirect economic loss, and What-If.  


Figure 4-16: Analysis options menu. Graphic showing computer screenshot of the 
analysis options menu, which shows the list of available options.


Sidebar: Note: The following section explains how to run a flood analysis using 
the HAZUS-MH Flood Wizard. You can download the Flood Wizard from the following 
web site: http://www.fema.gov/hazus/tr_main.shtm. Click on Latest HAZUS Tools 
Now Available, to access the file.


Running a Flood Scenario with the Flood Wizard
To run the HAZUS-MH Flood Wizard, you will need to (1) install the Flood Wizard, 
(2) create a Flood region with the HAZUS-MH Flood module, (3) execute the Flood 
Wizard program, (4) run the Analysis, and (5) view the outputs.  Worksheet 4-2, 
Flood Wizard Outputs, will help you document your efforts.

1. To install the Flood Wizard, insert the Flood Wizard CD (or open the file you 
downloaded) and follow the installation instructions, which should appear as an 
autorun feature. The Flood Wizard Installation menu will appear (see Figure 4-
17).


Figure 4-17: Flood Wizard installation menu. Graphic showing computer screenshot 
of the welcome screen for the InstallShield Wizard.


Click Next to proceed. The installation wizard will next show the destination 
directory that is the same as where HAZUS-MH is installed. Click Next to 
proceed. The installation will proceed with the progress indicated by the status 
bar in the center of the screen. The installation is complete when the Finish 
option becomes available (see Figure 4-18: graphic showing that the 
InstallShield Wizard is complete). Click Finish.


Figure 4-18: InstallShield Wizard complete. Graphic showing computer screenshot 
of the completion screen for the InstallShield Wizard.


2. If you dont have a HAZUS-MH Flood region available, you must create one 
using the HAZUS-MH Flood module. Once a region is available, exit HAZUS-MH and 
execute the Flood Wizard. 

3. To execute the program, select Start from your windows menu, then 
Programs and FEMA Risk Assessment System. Click on the Flood Wizard icon.  
The Flood Wizard menu box should become available (see Figure 4-19). Go to the 
Analysis menu and select Run.


Figure 4-19: Flood Wizard menu box. Graphic showing computer screenshot of the 
Flood Wizard menu box.


Click over Flood Data in the menu to access the options to select an available 
Study Region, define the Flood Maps (Q3, FIRM, or user defined), and a Digital 
Elevation Model (see Figure 4-20).


Figure 4-20: Flood data menu. Graphic showing computer screenshot of the Flood 
Wizard menu box, with the Flood Data dropdown menu shown.


4. To run the analysis, select Analysis from the main menu, then Run (see 
Figure 4-21). The Flood Wizard will take a few minutes to process the data and 
provide the results in tabular and map formats.


Figure 4-21: Analysis main menu. Graphic showing computer screenshot of the 
Flood Wizard menu box, with the Analysis dropdown menu shown.

 
5. To view the results, select any of the options under the Results menu. The 
Flood Wizard provides building exposure, content exposure, total exposure, and 
building count for the general building stock in the floodplain. It also 
provides building loss, content loss, and total loss for the economic loss of 
the general building stock.


Run a Hurricane Scenario
To run a probabilistic hurricane scenario, follow the instructions below:
1. To activate the scenario wizard for a hurricane event, click on Hazard 
Scenario on the Hazard menu. Select Next. The Scenario Operations menu should 
now be displayed as shown in Figure 4-22.


Figure 4-22: Scenario operation menu. Graphic showing computer screenshot of the 
scenario operation menu, with "Probabilistic" selected.


2. To select the probabilistic hazard, click on Probabilistic. Select Next 
and you will be asked if you want to make this scenario active. Select the 
button to make it active and then click Next. Finish the scenario by selecting 
Finish. 

3. To run the analysis, select Analysis on the main menu, and then select 
Run. The menu shown in Figure 4-23 should now be displayed. Three types of 
output analysis can be performed:  direct physical damage, induced physical 
damage, and direct social and economic loss. Select the analyses to be 
performed, and click on Run Analysis.


Figure 4-23: Analysis options menu. Graphic showing computer screenshot of the 
analysis options menu, which shows the list of available options.


Obtain Loss Estimation Results from HAZUS-MH Scenarios
After the hazard scenario has been run, you can access HAZUS-MH outputs by 
selecting Results on the main menu. HAZUS-MH produces results in three 
formats: tables, maps, and summary reports. Select Summary Reports on the 
Results drop-down menu to review your outputs. A summary of the outputs 
available for each module is provided as several Job Aids (Appendix F). The 
outputs also can be viewed individually. Select the output of interest to view 
the individual table. For example, select Ground Motion on the Results drop-
down menu to view the ground motion by Census tract throughout the study region. 
To map the ground motion, select a column in the table, such as peak ground 
acceleration (PGA), and click Map at the bottom of the page.

Sidebar: Note: You can download the Risk Assessment Tool from the following web 
site: http://www.fema.gov/hazus/tr_main.shtm.  Click on Latest HAZUS Tools Now 
Available, to access the file.


Run the Risk Assessment Tool (Task 4.3) 
FEMA has developed a companion software tool to HAZUS-MH called the HAZUS-MH RAT 
to help you produce your risk assessment outputs for earthquakes, floods, and 
hurricanes. This tool was developed as a third-party model to support HAZUS-MH 
and is used to display the outputs from the HAZUS-MH risk assessment in an easy-
to-use format. The RAT pulls natural hazard data (Steps 1 and 2); inventory data 
(Step 3), and loss estimate data (Step 4) into pre-formatted summary tables and 
text. These summaries can support the presentation of data to (1) decision-
makers and other stakeholders and (2) in your mitigation plan. 
 
To run the HAZUS-MH RAT, you will need to: (1) install the RAT, (2) execute the 
program, and (3) view the outputs.

1. To install the RAT, insert the RAT CD (or open the file you downloaded) and 
follow the installation instructions, which should come up as an autorun 
feature. The RAT installation menu will appear (see Figure 4-24). Click Next 
to proceed. The installation menu will next prompt you for a destination 
directory (see Figure 4-25). Type the directory name if the default directory is 
not your preference. Click Next to proceed. The installation will proceed with 
the progress indicated by the status bar in the center of the screen. The 
installation is complete when the Finish option becomes available (see Figure 
4-26). Click Finish.


Figure 4-24: RAT installation menu. Graphic showing computer screenshot of the 
RAT installation menu.


Figure 4-25: RAT destination directory. Graphic showing computer screenshot of 
the RAT destination directory.


Figure 4-26: RAT installation complete. Graphic showing computer screenshot of 
the RAT installation completion screen.


2. To execute the program, open your study region in HAZUS-MH. Before running 
the RAT, make sure that you have run the hazard scenarios in Step 4. There are 
two ways in which to begin using the RAT. If you selected earthquake as one of 
your hazards, you may run the RAT as a third party model like Aloha or FLDWAV. 
Begin by switching to the earthquake model if you are currently viewing the 
flood or hurricane model.  Select Analysis from the main menu, select 3rd 
Party Models, and then select Risk Assessment Tool (see Figure 4-27). 
Alternatively, if earthquake is not one of your study regions hazards, you may 
run the RAT without using the HAZUS-MH menus. Open your study region in HAZUS-
MH. Select Start from your windows menu, then Programs and FEMA Risk 
Assessment System. Click on the RAT option (see Figure 4-28). The RAT menu box 
should become available (see Figure 4-29, graphic showing the RAT menu box). 
Select the County of interest and the Hazard of interest. The RAT can be run for 
one county and one hazard at a time. When you are finished, select OK. The RAT 
will take a few minutes to process the data and provide results.


Figure 4-27: Third party model menu. Graphic showing computer screenshot of the 
HAZUS-MH main menu, on which the "Analysis" dropdown list is shown and the 
"Third Party Models" selection has been highlighted.


Figure 4-28: RAT program location. Graphic showing computer screenshot of the 
Start button programs list, on which the "FEMA Risk Assessment System" and "Risk 
Assessment Tool" selections are highlighted.


Figure 4-29: RAT menu box. Graphic showing computer screenshot of the RAT menu 
box.


3. To view the outputs, scroll through the document (see Figure 4-30) that has 
been generated by the RAT. The outputs include maps and tabular data that can be 
placed directly into a mitigation plan. The document can be printed and exported 
using the features above the report. A summary of the outputs available for the 
RAT is provided as a Job Aid 4-4 (Appendix F).


Figure 4-30: Risk assessment tool report. Graphic showing computer screenshot of 
the risk assessment tool report screen, which contains a copy of the report.

Congratulations! You have now completed running the RAT and have obtained a RAT 
report.  


Calculate Exposures for Hazards Not Included in HAZUS-MH (Task 4.4) 
To evaluate exposure using the HAZUS-MH GIS tools and inventory databases, you 
will use the hazard maps created in Step 2, and overlay them with the inventory 
provided in HAZUS-MH. To overlay a hazard map, select File, then Add Data 
and browse to a selected hazard map. If Step 2 was completed successfully, the 
hazard map should be in the correct format and projection. The map will appear 
over the study region and become a layer on the right. All of the inventory 
datasets are available under the Inventory menu. Review Step 3 for more 
information on viewing these datasets. Map the inventory of interest over the 
hazard map and determine what is at risk. Identify subsets of data by selecting 
inventory layers using the icon with an arrow.

Congratulations! You have now used HAZUS-MH to map the hazards not available in 
HAZUS-MH and overlaid them with the inventory provided by HAZUS-MH to estimate 
exposure. 


Evaluate the Results of the Risk Assessment (Task 4.5)
You have now obtained risk assessment outputs as either quantitative loss 
estimates for the earthquake, flood, and hurricane hazards or quantitative 
estimates of exposure for other hazards that you are able to map (for example, 
landslide susceptibility and wildfire hazard areas). The next step is to 
evaluate these data for reasonableness and to compare the risks associated with 
each hazard.

  
Consider and Review Your Loss Estimate Results
This activity will help you determine whether the results from the loss 
estimation study are reasonable and ready for use. To assess the results of your 
risk assessment, it is recommended that you get input from your risk assessment 
team, compare HAZUS-MH outputs to anticipated results (e.g., based on historic 
losses), and consider any hazard expert input on the results you have obtained. 
Team members and experts can assess the hazard profiles you have prepared, maps 
you have developed, and risk assessment output tables that are available now. 
They can help you document any concerns, revise any inputs and re-run results, 
or document that the results are within the margin of error suitable to support 
your mitigation strategy.

To consider and review the results of your risk assessment, take the following 
steps.  
1. Use professional judgment. You can use the professional judgment of your risk 
assessment team to evaluate if the results are within a range of the value you 
expected or within a margin of error that you feel is acceptable for risk 
assessment purposes.  

2. Review available technical documentation. You also may want to review the 
documentation of each model provided with the HAZUS-MH user and technical 
manuals.

3. Ask stakeholder experts for input. It is a good idea to involve appropriate 
stakeholder experts during all phases of the mitigation planning process.  For 
example, if you are running a risk assessment for a flood, review the HAZUS-MH 
results with the floodplain manager for the study region.  Such experts can 
assist in data collection, data evaluation, and output consideration. They also 
can help you ground-truth the results of your loss estimation based on their 
knowledge of past events and their ongoing efforts regarding the hazard of 
concern. These experts also may support your text regarding the hazard profiles, 
risk assessment outputs, and long-term data needs to refine your analyses.

4. Consider if development or other factors are impacting your study region. A 
Level 1 analysis is based on HAZUS-MH provided data. These data include 
assumptions regarding the hazard characteristics in your area, which may require 
refinement (Step 2, Identify Hazards) and inventory data that is based on 
national and regional databases (Step 3, Inventory Assets). If your local 
conditions change or vary significantly from the HAZUS-MH provided data and you 
have completed a Level 1 analysis, you may identify areas of your risk 
assessment that require additional explanation or refinement. Some of these 
refinements may be feasible for this portion of your risk assessment. Other 
refinements may become part of your long-term data management or improvement 
efforts and may warrant a mitigation strategy goal or action to help improve 
data and assumptions for hazards that are of interest and concern in your 
community. 
 
5. Revisit your risk assessment, as necessary. If items 1 through 4 raise 
concerns that you feel must be addressed, you may want to revisit Steps 2, 3, 
and 4 (especially, hazard characterization inputs and inventory inputs). If you 
feel that the results are reasonable for your purposes, you can continue forward 
to use your risk assessment outputs.

After completing your evaluation of results and making adjustments as needed to 
your hazard and inventory data, you can rerun HAZUS-MH, as necessary, to obtain 
revised results and outputs. Remember that these evaluation activities can be 
continued as your mitigation planning efforts evolve and as local data and 
hazard-specific knowledge improves. 
 
After you complete your first risk assessment effort, it is important to keep 
your asset inventory and hazard data current so that you are ready when you need 
to update your risk assessment (e.g., after a major hazard event or to comply 
with the schedules provided in DMA 2000). Data maintenance and integrity are 
critical to successful HAZUS-MH implementation.


Summary
After completing Step 4, you should have a good idea which assets are subject to 
the greatest potential damages and which hazards are likely to produce the 
greatest potential losses or present the greatest hazard exposure. Table 4-1 
summarizes the activities and outputs for this step.


Table 4-1: Estimate Losses Activities and Outputs Checklist
This table consists of three columns: Activity, Output, and Check Completed 
Items. The Check Completed Items column has been left blank for notations. The 
information in the table is summarized as follows:

Activity: Integrate hazard profile data for HAZUS-MH Level 2 
(Task 4.1)	
Output: Updated HAZUS-MH profile data
	
Activity: Run HAZUS-MH scenarios 
(Task 4.2)	
Output: Tables, maps, and summary reports; Worksheets 4-1 and 4-2
	
Activity: Run the Risk Assessment Tool
 (Task 4.3)
Output: Risk Assessment Tool Report	

Activity: Calculate exposure for hazards not included in HAZUS-MH 
(Task 4.4)	
Output: Inventory at risk 

Activity: Evaluate the results of the risk assessment
 (Task 4.5)	
Output: Reasonable HAZUS-MH outputs 	


Complete any missing items in your checklist, and then continue to Step 5. 

Go TO step 5: CONSIDER MITIGATION OPTIONS


WORKSHEET 4-1: INVENTORY AT RISK ESTIMATES
Worksheet 4-1 will help you to organize your estimated losses obtained during 
Step 4. 

The worksheet is in the form of a table. The table title is Loss Estimation 
Values. 
There are two main columns: Inventory Asset Category (for example, Essential 
Facilities and Transportation Lifeline Systems) and Items Used for HAZUS-MH 
Model.

There are three columns under "Items Used for HAZUS-MH Model": Earthquake, 
Flood, and Hurricane. All three provide for entries in thousands of US dollars. 
Inventory Asset Category entries for Hurricane that are not estimated by the 
hurricane model are noted as "NE." 

			
Worksheet 4-2. Flood Wizard Outputs
Use Worksheet 4-2 to record the values obtained after running the Flood Wizard 
analysis.

The worksheet is in the form of a table. For the 500-Year Return Period and 100-
Year Return Period, rows are shown for the values of building exposure, content 
exposure, total exposure; building loss, content loss, and total loss in 
floodplain. Rows are also included for the number of buildings in the 
floodplain.

Eight columns are devoted to the following categories: Population, Residential, 
Commercial, Industrial, Agriculture, Religion,	Government, and Education. 

		
EXAMPLE 4-1:  ESTIMATE LOSSES

HURRICANE LOSS ESTIMATE FOR AUSTIN, TEXAS
The hurricane hazard loss estimate is presented below.

Risk Assessment Data Collection.  HAZUS-MH provided inventory data were 
augmented for Austin-critical facilities. Therefore, the critical facilities 
considered in this risk assessment included Austin-critical facilities, 
essential facilities, special facilities, HazMat facilities, transportation 
lifeline systems, and utility lifeline systems, as shown in the table below. 
Population data were taken from the HAZUS-MH provided data, which is based on 
the most recent Census conducted in 2000; local data correlated closely to the 
HAZUS-MH Census data.  

Hazard Model Development. Because this hazard was analyzed using the HAZUS-MH 
software, additional model development efforts were not required. No local 
hazard data to update the model components were identified as necessary or 
available.

Risk Assessment Methodology. The hurricane module of HAZUS-MH was used and 
provided loss estimations for: General building stock and critical facilities. 
Other loss estimates included displaced households and shelter requirements. The 
100- and 500-year mean return period (MRP) events were analyzed. Annualized 
losses also were estimated.

Estimated Damages and Losses. Property damage due to the hurricane hazard was 
summarized by occupancy class in the table below. The total estimated loss for a 
hurricane with a severity equal to a 500-year MRP was approximately $1.4 
billion. Residential buildings accounted for about 86 percent of the total 
losses for this event. Because of differences in building construction, 
residential structures were more susceptible to wind damage than commercial and 
industrial structures. The damage counts included buildings damaged at all 
severity levels from slight damage to total destruction. The total dollar damage 
represented the overall impact to individual buildings at an aggregate level. 

Table: Estimated Damages/Losses to General Building Stock For Hurricanes In 
Austin, Texas. Dollars rounded to the nearest hundred thousand.

Occupancy Class: Residential
100-year Event Damages: 159.7 million dollars
500-year Event Damages: 1,232.5 million dollars

Occupancy Class: Commercial
100-year Event Damages: 6.1 million dollars
500-year Event Damages: 178.7 million dollars

Occupancy Class: Industrial
100-year Event Damages: 0.6 million dollars
500-year Event Damages: 29.7 million dollars

Total
100-year Event Damages: 166.4 million dollars
500-year Event Damages: 1,440.9 million dollars


The hurricane module also provides shelter requirement estimates. For a 100-year 
event, hurricane shelter requirements are estimated to be negligible. For a 500-
year event hurricane, households displaced are estimated to be 1,750 (about 
5,000 people); short-term shelter needs are estimated to be required for 460 
persons.

The next table presents the impacts to critical facilities associated with the 
hurricane hazard in Austin, TX. As shown in the table, the damage impact of the 
hurricane hazard on critical facilities is anticipated to be minor for both the 
100- and 500-year MRP events.
The loss ratio represents the percent of the building value that likely would be 
incurred to repair or restore the facility to its original, pre-hazard state.

HAZUS-MH also estimates average annualized losses, which represent the average 
loss that can be expected per year.  The total expected average annualized loss 
associated for hurricanes is estimated at $16.9 million. The average annualized 
loss by occupancy class associated with hurricanes is: 
--$14.2 million for the residential occupancy class (accounting for 84 percent 
of the total annualized losses)
--$2.3 million for the commercial occupancy class
--$0.4 million for the industrial occupancy class


Table: Critical Facility Exposure and Loss Ratios for Hurricanes in Austin, 
Texas

Table description: Three main columns: Facility Class, 100-Year Event, and 500-
Year Event. Under the 100-Year Event and 500-Year Event sub-columns, there are 
two sub-columns: Number Exposed/At-Risk and Loss Ratio.


The HAZUS-MH hurricane model does not estimate transportation and utility system 
losses or impacts. It also does not estimate indirect economic losses. 
Therefore, these results are not presented for this hazard.  

The figure below shows the dollar loss density estimates for a 500-year MRP 
event for the hurricane hazard for the commercial occupancy class. As indicated 
on the figures legend, areas in darker colors indicate areas where greater 
losses are incurred per square mile of land.

Figure 4-31: Hurricane loss density for Austin, Texas, for a 500-year hurricane 
event (Commercial Occupancy Class). Map showing the geographic distribution of 
commercial loss density in Austin.



Step 5: Consider Mitigation Options

OVERVIEW
The fifth step in this guide will help you to identify and evaluate various 
mitigation options that are directly associated with, and responsive to, the 
losses identified during Step 4. Remember that in HAZUS-MH losses are estimated 
based on the cost to repair or replace damage to, or loss of, the building 
inventory. The fifth step, therefore, emphasizes mitigation measures that can 
reduce the destructive effects of earthquakes, floods, and hurricanes on this 
inventory. Figure 5-1 shows the tasks and outputs associated with Step 5 of this 
guide. 

Figure 5-1. Step 5 tasks and outputs
Step 5: consider mitigation options
TASKS:
5.1  	Identify Preliminary Mitigation
	Options
5.2 	Review Mitigation Options
5.3  	Identify Final List of Mitigation
	Options
5-4  	Verify Mitigation Options
OUTPUTS:
 Preliminary List of Mitigation Options (Worksheets 5-1A and 5-1B)
 Short List of Mitigation Options (Worksheet 5-2)
 Final List of Mitigation Options (Worksheet 5-3)
 Consolidated List of Mitigation Options


 In Step 5 you will examine mitigation options from the point of view of their 
effectiveness, acceptability, and feasibility with respect to the prevailing 
conditions in your community. The proposed procedure for examining the 
mitigation options is not meant to replace full and thorough analysis of the 
technical, economic, and social merits of various mitigation measures, which may 
be a costly and lengthy process requiring highly specialized expert input. It is 
meant to help you narrow down your options and focus your attention on those 
measures that have the greatest chance of effective implementation. 

Sidebar: note: Evaluating the effectiveness of a particular mitigation measure, 
whether it is regulatory or technical (protection or control), is not an exact 
science. It requires technical, policy, and financial expertise combined with a 
thorough knowledge of local perspectives and needs.  

In order to identify, select, and implement the most appropriate mitigation 
measures  you will need to examine general mitigation goals and objectives and 
the merits of each potential mitigation measure. You also will need to consider 
local and state resources for implementation. This will prepare you to evaluate 
and prioritize potential mitigation options, according to the criteria that are 
suggested in this step. The tasks in Step 5 are designed to help you answer the 
following questions:
--Which mitigation measures are most appropriate for the types of risks our 
community faces?
--Do we have sufficient capability to implement these measures and what kind of 
assistance might we need?
--What impacts will the implementation of these measures have on our community?

Sidebar: Reference: The FEMA How-To Series for Mitigation Planning also includes 
guidance on mitigation measures (FEMA 386).  Information is available at 
http://www.fema.gov/fima/planhowto.shtm.

Task 5.1 will help you to identify a broad range of preliminary mitigation 
options by hazard or by structure type. Task 5.2 will assist you in reviewing 
the appropriateness of these measures  given the needs and desires of the 
community. Task 5.3 will help you assess the implementation of proposed 
mitigation options by indicating which options may be more effective for risk 
reduction.  Task 5.4 will allow you to determine if your identified mitigation 
options are in conflict for a particular combination of hazards. It will also 
help you to integrate your mitigation options into your mitigation plan, taking 
into consideration the factors and elements considered in Tasks 5.1 through 5.3.

Sidebar: reference: FEMA information about regulatory measures, rehabilitation, 
and protective and control structures can be found at http://www.fema.gov/fima.


Identify Preliminary Mitigation Options (Task 5.1)
Mitigation measures can be viewed from many different perspectives. In this How-
To Guide, the emphasis is on interventions that address the goal of mitigation 
with respect to buildings and infrastructure; that is, minimizing the 
destructive and disruptive effects of hazard events on the built environment. 
For this task, mitigation options for earthquakes, floods, and hurricanes are 
described in three broad categories:
--Regulatory measures
--Rehabilitation of existing structures
--Protective and control measures


Regulatory Measures
Regulatory measures include legal and other regulatory instruments that 
governments use to prevent, reduce, or prepare for the losses associated with 
hazard events. Examples include:
--Legislation that organizes and distributes responsibilities to protect a 
community from hazards
--Regulations that reduce the financial and social impact of hazards through 
measures such as insurance
--New or updated design and construction codes
--New or modified land use and zoning regulations
--Incentives that provide inducements for implementing mitigation measures 

In most cases, regulatory measures should be considered first and before other 
measures because regulatory measures provide the framework for decision-making, 
organization, and financing of mitigation actions.

Sidebar: note: In addition to the structural measures discussed in this guide, 
other mitigation measures are also important to local mitigation efforts. These 
measures include:
-Emergency preparedness measures that support emergency services to protect 
people and property during and after the hazard event
--Public awareness and education measures that inform and educate the general 
population, public officials and businesses about risks, preparedness, and 
mitigation measures
--Natural resource protection measures that protect the environment and preserve 
and restore natural systems


Rehabilitation of Existing Structures
As its name implies, rehabilitation deals with structural and non-structural 
modification of elements of existing buildings and infrastructure facilities. 
Although new and updated design and construction codes and new zoning laws can 
be effective mitigation measures to protect new construction, they usually 
cannot be applied retroactively. For this reason, improving the safety and 
structural integrity of existing buildings and infrastructure facilities is 
often the best way to reduce the impact of hazard events on such structures.  

Buildings and infrastructure are often at risk due to their location in hazard-
prone areas (such as floodplains, areas susceptible to landslides, or zones with 
high seismic activity). The level of damage is impacted by each structures 
quality of design and construction. Poorly engineered and constructed buildings 
and infrastructure are usually not able to resist the forces of nature. 
Frequently, location and structure combine to increase the vulnerability of 
buildings and infrastructure facilities, especially those that were built a long 
time ago (e.g., before the first building codes were introduced). Mitigation 
measures for these structures must be targeted to the specific causes of 
vulnerability. For example, it would not make much sense to invest in expensive 
reinforcement of a structure that remains on unstable soil. Removal, relocation, 
or elevation of in-place structures located in highly hazardous areas is 
frequently the only option. Often this may mean that buildings of significant 
historic or cultural value have to be relocated or rebuilt, usually at  great 
cost, on a different site. 

In situations where buildings and infrastructure can benefit from structural 
improvements in-place, mitigation measures rely on those engineering solutions 
most appropriate for the substandard structures. Because the cost of these 
measures varies, a community must prioritize options based on the importance of 
the facility and its relative vulnerability. For example, essential and high 
potential loss facilities may generally have a priority for repair and 
strengthening over other buildings and infrastructure.


Protective and Control Measures
Unlike other mitigation measures that improve the resistance of buildings and 
infrastructure to disasters, protective and control measures focus on protecting 
structures by (1) deflecting the destructive forces from vulnerable structures 
and people or (2) erecting protective barriers. Well-known examples are dams and 
reservoirs, levees, discharge canals, floodwalls and sea-walls, retaining walls, 
safe rooms or shelters, protective vegetation belts, and similar structures. 

Now that you have a general understanding of the categories of mitigation 
measures related to structural protection, each of these categories is reviewed 
for the three primary HAZUS-MH hazards -- earthquakes, floods, and hurricanes.

Mitigation measures below are discussed for earthquakes, floods, and hurricanes 
as they relate to regulatory measures, rehabilitation of existing structures, 
and protective and control measures.  

Task 5.1 is designed to help you identify a set of preliminary mitigation 
options based on HAZUS-MH loss estimates. Worksheet 5-1A provides information on 
HAZUS-MH inventory and building elements.  It allows you to cross reference this 
information with that for earthquakes, floods, and hurricanes. List your 
preliminary mitigation options categorized by mitigation measures and hazards on 
Worksheet 5-1B. Example 5-1A lists a variety of mitigation measures you may want 
to consider for buildings and infrastructure. Example 5-1B lists a variety of 
mitigation options specific to earthquakes, floods, and hurricanes. Worksheet 5-
2 allows you to evaluate and compare mitigation options using a number of 
criteria recommended by FEMA. Worksheet 5-3 helps you document your final 
consolidated list of options.


Mitigation Measures for Earthquakes
Earthquakes are distinguished by their unpredictability, force, sudden onset, 
and unparalleled destructive power. The effect of earthquake forces on the built 
environment can be devastating, both in terms of human casualties and economic 
loss. In the last few decades, however, significant advances have been made in 
techniques for mitigating earthquake risk. 

Sidebar: reference: The National Earthquake Hazard Reduction Program provides 
resources regarding mitigation options for this hazard:   
http://www.fema.gov/hazards/earthquakes/eqmit.shtm.

Regulatory Measures. Building codes are the most widely used earthquake 
mitigation strategy in the country. Advances in earthquake engineering in the 
last few decades are now incorporated in these codes and have been successfully 
proven in a number of earthquakes. This regulatory measure has been used 
effectively to raise the standard of earthquake-resistance for newly built 
structures and significantly reduce casualties and other losses. At the same 
time, zoning and land use planning regulations have been able to reduce 
development close to active earthquake faults.
 
Rehabilitation of Existing Structures. Older buildings and infrastructure pose 
the greatest safety threat for communities exposed to earthquake hazards. These 
structures were generally constructed before regulatory mitigation measures were 
in place. Rehabilitation of existing structures has been implemented to increase 
the earthquake-resistance of this older inventory stock. Experience has shown 
that un-reinforced masonry buildings are especially vulnerable to earthquakes, 
and many jurisdictions have enacted ordinances that require them either to be 
retrofitted or demolished. In most cases, however, these structures are not 
subject to mandatory seismic codes unless substantial improvements or additions 
are proposed, mainly due to the high cost of these interventions. Cost-effective 
measures for the rehabilitation of existing buildings and infrastructure have 
been developed and many structures have been retrofitted, with a focus primarily 
on the most critical and most vulnerable buildings and facilities. Raising the 
earthquake resistance of these types of structures also can improve the 
earthquake response by ensuring that emergency equipment is immediately 
available after the disaster, and that these services can respond effectively to 
the communitys needs. Many school districts in earthquake-prone regions have 
instituted retrofitting programs, with a primary focus on the safety of children 
and staff. Similarly, colleges, universities, public agencies, developers, and 
private owners have retrofitted facilities that are essential to the survival of 
their services or businesses after careful analysis of the costs and benefits of 
these measures. 

Sidebar: definition: Structural elements - walls, columns, beams, and girders 
that support a building or structure
Non-structural elements - architectural components such as exterior cladding, 
parapets, glazing, cornices, and corbels, as well as interior partitions, 
suspended ceilings, and lighting fixtures

Structural engineers have produced a range of techniques to increase the 
earthquake resistance of structures. Because facility design and the materials 
and systems of construction differ greatly, a wide variety of strengthening 
techniques have been developed. The two general aspects of retrofitting that 
must be addressed are: 
--Repair and strengthening of structural elements
--Repair and strengthening of non-structural elements and systems

Structural elements, irrespective of the construction materials used, must be 
protected from collapse and serious damage that might render the structure 
unusable or dangerous to people. Non-structural elements may also be protected 
through engineering retrofits. Additionally, electrical power and gas 
distribution systems; communication systems; water, waste and fire protection 
piping; and heating and cooling systems, staircases and elevators can be 
considered non-structural elements and must be reinforced and protected because 
damage to any of these elements also may cause casualties and render the 
buildings unusable.

Protective and Control Measures. In regard to the earthquake hazard, this 
mitigation category is most frequently employed in conjunction with other 
mitigation measures. An example of a protective measure for buildings would be 
securing the slopes around buildings and critical infrastructure.  Securing 
slopes helps to reduce the potential for landslides in the event of an 
earthquake and, therefore, will reduce the overall impact to a structure if an 
earthquake should occur. Stabilizing soils and securing hazardous sites before 
new construction in certain areas also would fall into this category. 


Mitigation Measures for Floods (Coastal and Riverine)
The basic purpose of flood mitigation measures is to avoid or minimize exposure 
to flooding. This is accomplished through (1) actions that regulate new 
development and redevelopment and (2) engineering measures that address existing 
conditions. Selection of specific mitigation measures is highly dependent on the 
nature of the flood hazard and the types of buildings and infrastructure at 
risk.

Sidebar: reference: The National Flood Insurance Program provides resources 
regarding mitigation options for this hazard: 
http://www.fema.gov/fima/nfip.shtm

Regulatory Measures. For flooding, regulatory measures can be used to achieve 
two broad objectives: (1) to guide development to areas that are not flood-prone 
and (2) to ensure that new development in flood-prone areas addresses flood 
hazards. Many communities use regulations to guide new development to areas that 
are not susceptible to flooding or away from identified high hazard areas (such 
as the floodway, for riverine flooding).  In other cases, floodplain regulations 
and building codes are intended to recognize flood hazards and ensure that flood 
loads are addressed in the planning and design of new buildings and 
infrastructure. Those same codes are applied to existing buildings when such 
buildings sustain damage and require repair and reconstruction. In these cases, 
the regulations impose the same degree of protection that is required for new 
buildings, resulting in the rehabilitation of older buildings, such as 
elevation-in-place and floodproofing to designed flood levels.  

Rehabilitation of Existing Structures. For flooding, these measures can reduce 
flood damage up to pre-selected flood levels, although buildings remain 
susceptible to damage if more severe flooding occurs. Rehabilitation can include 
elevation-in-place and floodproofing for buildings. Acquisition and demolition 
of flood-prone buildings is another effective mitigation measure that reduces 
exposed inventory in the floodplain and helps to return the floodplain to its 
natural function. Physically relocating intact buildings out of the floodplain 
to higher ground (or away from eroding shorelines), though effective, is usually 
reserved for special cases (such as, moving the historical lighthouse in Cape 
Hatteras because of beach erosion). Retrofit of infrastructure includes a wide 
variety of measures, depending on the type of infrastructure and the nature of 
the flood hazard. Examples include flood-proofed wastewater treatment plants and 
other public buildings, modified bridges that reduce backwater flooding, and 
upgraded or stabilized streambeds and banks to protect installations of sewer 
and water supply lines.  

Protective and Control Measures. For floods, these measures are accomplished by 
modifying the source or path of flooding to keep floodwaters away from existing 
developed areas.  These measures are generally referred to as structural flood 
control measures.  They can focus on (1) decreasing runoff, (2) increasing 
discharge capacities, or (3) containing, diverting, or storing the floodwater. 
Construction of these protective measures depends on many factors that may limit 
their applicability in any given location. The most widely used measures for 
each of these categories are listed below: 
--Decreasing Runoff. Dams and reservoirs that store floodwater in order to 
reduce downstream flood discharges
--Increasing Discharge Capacity. Drainage improvement measures that enlarge 
channels and over-bank areas, reduce obstructions (such as undersized bridges 
and culverts), and/or construct diversion channels that direct floodwater away 
from the vulnerable areas  
--Containing, Diverting, or Storing Floodwater. Construction of floodwalls and 
levees as barriers to prevent inundation of protected areas from floods of a 
specific recurrence probability


Mitigation Measures for Hurricanes
Before mitigation measures can be implemented to protect buildings and 
infrastructure from hurricane and other high-wind risks, you must understand how 
buildings and other structures behave when exposed to wind forces. High winds 
can come from any direction and lateral wind forces tend to push inward on 
windward walls, turn structures over, and sheer them off their bases. In 
addition, suction forces on the walls and roof tend to pull them away from the 
building. At the same time, the wind pressure inside a structure can build up, 
adding to the forces that tend to pull a roof and walls outward. Therefore, to 
withstand hurricanes, structures must be constructed to stay down and stand up. 

Sidebar: reference: The National Hurricane Program provides resources regarding 
mitigation options for this hazard: http://www.fema.gov/hazards/hurricanes/

The extent to which a building is vulnerable to strong winds is a function of 
design and configuration, the quality of construction, the type of materials 
used, and the exposure of the site. In general, lightweight wood-framed 
structures are much more vulnerable than larger, heavier buildings. This means 
that single-family residential buildings are especially vulnerable.

Side bar: note: Another wind-related hazard is the tornado. Buildings are not 
typically designed to resist tornadoes. Safe rooms are sometimes added to these 
buildings to provide a shelter that protects humans from injury and death.  

Regulatory Measures. Planning, design, and engineering standards for new 
construction in high-wind zones are well developed and their application in 
hazard-prone areas has been effective. However, local zoning and land-use 
regulations have, to date, played a more limited role in regulating development 
to reduce exposure to high winds (except in coastal areas where the risk 
associated with hurricane-related storm surges and wind is very high).

Rehabilitation of Existing Structures. Rehabilitation of existing buildings 
concentrates on reinforcing the building and protecting its openings. The most 
frequently recommended mitigation measures for such cases are:
--The whole building must be tied securely to its foundations.
--Every element of the building structure and building envelope (i.e., the roof 
and wall covering, doors and windows) must be tied together to resist wind 
forces.
--Joints between various elements in a building must be strengthened to resist 
breaking up into separate and vulnerable elements.
--Wind must be prevented from entering the building and blowing the roof off, 
which is usually accomplished by strengthening the doors and providing impact-
resistant glazing or window shutters. 

Protective and Control Measures. For the hurricane hazard, the primary 
mitigation measures fall into the regulatory and rehabilitation categories 
discussed above.

Congratulations! You have now reviewed your loss estimation outputs and have 
compiled a preliminary list of mitigation options that can protect your built 
environment against the impacts of earthquakes, floods, and hurricanes.


Review Mitigation Options (Task 5.2) 
At this point, you should have identified a preliminary list of mitigation 
options (Worksheet 5-1A). These options should have been grouped by hazards and 
under the regulatory, rehabilitation, and protective and control framework 
(Worksheet 5-1B). For Task 5.2, a set of criteria are provided to help you to 
narrow the mitigation options identified during Task 5.1. Worksheet 5-2 will 
help you develop a short list of your mitigation options using a set criteria 
that should be reviewed and modified as required by your community and 
institutional needs. The selected criteria that FEMA has proposed for all 
jurisdictions to consider consist of a common set of evaluation criteria, known 
as the STAPLEE evaluation criteria. This set of criteria will enable you to 
examine the Social, Technical, Administrative, Political, Legal, Economic, and 
Environmental (STAPLEE) opportunities and constraints of implementing a 
particular mitigation measure using a consistent framework. 

--Social criteria are based on the idea that community consensus is a necessary 
precondition for successful implementation of mitigation measures (i.e., 
measures should be supported and accepted by the entire community). This also 
means that measures should not affect adversely a particular segment of the 
population or a particular neighborhood, or adversely impact local cultural 
values or resources.
--Technical criteria address the technical feasibility of the proposed measures, 
in terms of effectiveness, secondary impacts, and the technical capabilities of 
your community to implement and sustain these measures.
--Administrative criteria address the administrative capabilities required to 
implement each mitigation measure. For example, does your jurisdiction have the 
necessary organization, staff, and funding sources to implement and sustain the 
mitigation process?
--Political criteria consider the need for political support for mitigation 
measures. This means that all stakeholders in the political process, especially 
political organizations and institutions both inside and outside of the 
community, should support the measure.
--Legal criteria are used to determine the appropriate legal authority necessary 
to implement each mitigation measure and whether such an authority can be 
delegated. In addition, you will examine the mitigation measure from the 
standpoint of current statutes, codes, ordinances, and other regulations, as 
well as the possible legal ramifications of the measures implementation.
--Economic criteria address the cost-effectiveness of the proposed measure and 
its economic impact on the community. It is only reasonable to expect that the 
benefits of implementation will exceed the costs incurred. Economic 
considerations also consider the economic impact on the communitys future 
development.  
--Environmental criteria have become an important consideration in examining 
mitigation options. Although most mitigation measures are usually beneficial for 
the environment, some measures may have adverse effects, which must be 
considered and addressed.

Now that you understand the STAPLEE criteria, you are ready to complete 
Worksheet 5-2, which will help you consider and compare options related to 
specific mitigation goals and objectives.

Congratulations! You have now developed a short list of mitigation options that 
can be introduced in your mitigation plan after verification (Task 5.4). This 
list may help you to reduce potential impacts of natural hazards on your built 
environment.


Identify Final List Of Mitigation Options (Task 5.3) 
HAZUS-MH features can help you evaluate and compare some common mitigation 
measures for the earthquake, flood, and hurricane hazards. To prepare a final 
list of mitigation options (see Worksheet 5-3), you may want to use the tools in 
HAZUS-MH to rerun pre- and post-event scenarios to determine if your mitigation 
options are reducing the hazard risk in your community. The activities below 
will help you use HAZUS-MH to evaluate some of your mitigation measure options 
in order to refine your identified mitigation options.


Earthquakes
The HAZUS-MH earthquake model can help you test the effectiveness of some 
strengthening measures on the buildings and infrastructure in your study region. 
For example, some critical or high potential loss facilities in your area may 
not meet current seismic codes or may be unsafe for a variety of reasons. The 
HAZUS-MH Advanced Engineering Building Module (AEBM) includes specific damage 
and loss functions that are used to assess losses for an individual building (or 
a group of similar buildings) under existing conditions and after some seismic 
repair and strengthening measures have been implemented. The comparison of 
damage and loss estimates before and after mitigation measures are implemented 
will provide you with a clearer picture of the effectiveness of particular 
mitigation measures for the buildings in question. However, this technique 
requires advanced use of HAZUS-MH and the services of seismic engineering 
specialists.  For more information see the HASUS-MH Earthquake User Manual. 

In order to estimate the effectiveness of a particular building code upgrade and 
strengthening measures on a whole class of buildings in the study region (e.g., 
the strengthening of all unreinforced masonry residential buildings in your 
area), you would need to change the fragility curves for that particular 
occupancy and building type category, and then repeat an analysis with this new 
data. This technique also requires the services of an experienced seismic 
engineer and advanced HAZUS-MH knowledge.


Floods (Coastal and Riverine)
The flood model has a built-in feature specifically designed to support 
mitigation planning.  This What-If feature enables analyses that can test the 
proposed mitigation measures and produce new loss estimates based on the 
assumption that a proposed measure was implemented.  

Currently, this feature allows you to analyze the several mitigation measures 
for riverine and coastal floods as described below. What-If scenarios can be 
used after you run a baseline flood case study analysis and obtain the 
associated loss estimate data. 

Sidebar: HAZUS SOFTWARE: For more information on how to use HAZUS-MH to evaluate 
mitigation measures, see page 4-37 of the Flood User Manual. 
 
Riverine Flood Mitigation Measure Evaluation. After you estimate losses for your 
case study, you can estimate the effect of a new levee on flood depths by 
drawing the levee shape on a map and specifying its level of protection by 
selecting a Levee What-If Scenario under a Hazard menu. 

The Riverine Flow Regulation scenario allows you to test the effects of a new 
reservoir by marking its location on the map and specifying its discharge value. 

Sidebar: HAZUS-MH SOFTWARE: The What-If analysis options in the flood model 
include levee assessment, upstream storage, and simplified velocity for the 
riverine analysis. The What-If analysis options include long-term erosion and 
shore protection for the coastal analysis.

Coastal Flood Model Mitigation Measure Evaluation. The coastal flood model 
allows you to test the effects of long-term erosion; therefore, you can estimate 
and evaluate the additional losses that may result if mitigation measures to 
control that erosion are not implemented. By modifying the type of shoreline and 
its level of protection against erosion and waves, you can also estimate the 
effects of shoreline protection measures. The steps below will help you access 
and run the What-If Scenario feature of the flood model:

1. Start the What-If Scenario. To begin running a What-If Scenario, select 
Hazard from the HAZUS-MH main menu.  Then select What-If Scenarios. 
 
2. Three riverine and two coastal options will become available. The riverine 
options include: Riverine Levee, Riverine Flow Regulation, and Riverine Velocity 
Grid (see Figure 5-2). The coastal options include: Coastal Long-Term Erosion 
and Coastal Shore Protection.


Figure 5-2: "What If" menu. Graphic showing a computer screenshot of the What If 
menu, including the various available What If scenarios.

 
3. Set up a What-If Scenario. To set up the What-If Scenario parameters, 
select the option(s) you want to consider for the analysis.
a. To include the Riverine Levee in the analysis, draw the levee shape using the 
Draw option on the levee menu (see Figure 5-3). Enter the level of protection 
(in years) next to Years and click Save, then OK.


Figure 5-3: Levee options. Graphic showing a computer screenshot of the levee 
menu, which includes options for drawing one or more levees and specifying a 
level of protection based on a recurrence interval in years.


b. To include the Flow Regulation in the analysis, draw the flow regulation 
structure location using the Draw option on the flow regulation menu (see 
Figure 5-4). The existing return period and discharge values (in cfs) will be 
displayed under Existing values. Select Existing values to change and enter 
new values for the Return period and Discharge (cfs) under New values. 
Select OK after you have entered the new values.


Figure 5-4: Flow regulation. Graphic showing a computer screenshot of the flow 
regulation menu, which includes options for drawing the location of a flow 
regulation structure and specifying return period and discharge values for it.


c. To include the Riverine Velocity Grid in the analysis, select the Riverine 
Velocity Grid option and a box will pop up informing you the process will take 
time. Click OK and allow the process to run to completion. This option will 
estimate the spatial distribution of the floodwater velocities.
d. To include the coastal long-term erosion analysis, use the arrows on the top 
of the menu to select the different coastline segments of your study case (see 
Figure 5-5).  Enter values for rate (feet/year) and duration (years) under 
Erosion parameters for each segment. Click OK when you have finished 
entering the parameters.


Figure 5-5: Long term erosion. Graphic showing a computer screenshot of the long 
term erosion menu, which includes options for selecting different shoreline 
segments and specifying erosion parameters for rate and duration.


e.  To include coastal shore protection in the analysis, click the Shoreline 
selection button and select the shoreline segment on the map (see Figure 5-6). 
When you have finished selecting all the segments with shore protection, click 
OK. 


Figure 5-6: Graphic showing a computer screenshot of the shore protection menu.


4.   Run the analysis. To run the analysis, select Analysis from the HAZUS-MH 
main menu and then click Run. The Analysis Options menu should now be 
displayed (see Figure 5-7). Click the What-If option and you will see the five 
riverine and coastal options discussed above. Select the options you want to run 
and then click OK. A new analysis will be modeled using the selected What-If 
options. The results of the analysis can be viewed under the results menu option 
detailed in Step 4 of this How-To Guide.


Figure 5-7: Analysis options. Graphic showing a computer screenshot of the 
analysis options menu.



Hurricanes
The hurricane model also has specific functionality to support the assessment of 
various mitigation measures. This function is accessed through the Wind Building 
Characteristics menu under General Building Stock in the Inventory. When you 
select the Mitigate option, you can assign a new wind building characteristics 
mapping scheme with different mitigation characteristics for single-family 
housing and for manufactured homes at the state, county, and Census tract 
levels.

Sidebar: HAZUS software: For more information on how to use HAZUS-MH to evaluate 
mitigation measures for hurricanes, see page 7-6 of the HAZUS-MH Hurricane User 
Manual.

The model offers four different mitigation options for single-family housing: 
shutters, roof straps, improved roof decking attachments, and secondary water 
resistance, and one option for mobile homes: tie-downs. 

Using this capability of the hurricane model can help you assess quickly the 
potential benefits of mitigation measures (i.e., the effectiveness of 
residential mitigation measures or the proposed building code changes and the 
effects of their implementation). The steps below will help you use these 
features.
1. Access the function. To begin altering the building inventory to reflect 
potential mitigation measures, select Inventory, then General Building 
Stock, and Wind Building Characteristics Distribution (see Figure 5-8, 
graphic showing the wind building characteristics menu).


Figure 5-8: Wind building characteristics menu. Graphic showing a computer 
screenshot of the showing the location of the wind building characteristics 
distribution option.


2. Select mapping schemes. To begin mitigating the building characteristics, 
select the mapping scheme(s) in your study region and click the Mitigate 
button on the bottom right of the Wind Building Characteristics Distribution 
menu (see Figure 5-9, graphic showing the wind building characteristics 
distribution menu).


Figure 5-9: Wind building characteristics distribution menu. Graphic showing a 
computer screenshot of the wind building characteristics distribution menu.


3. Enter mitigation parameters. To enter the mitigation parameters, change the 
values in the Mitigate Hurricane Building Characteristics Scheme Menu (see 
Figure 5-10, graphic showing the building mitigation menu).  There are 
parameters for single- family homes and manufactured homes (represented as the 
percentage of homes that have undergone mitigation measures).


Figure 5-10: Building mitigation menu. Graphic showing a computer screenshot of 
the building mitigation menu.


4. Select options. Options include Shutters on All Windows and Entry Doors, 
Roof-wall Connection Clips/Straps, Superior Roof Deck Attachment, and Secondary 
Water Resistance. The manufactured home option is Tie Downs. After you have 
entered the new values, select OK.  

5. Rerun your analysis. You may now rerun a scenario with the new mitigation 
measures in place.

Congratulations! You have now completed a final list of mitigation options that 
can be introduced in your mitigation plan after verification (Task 5.4). This 
list may help you to reduce the potential impacts of natural hazards on your 
built environment.


Verify Mitigation Options (Task 5.4) 
An important challenge in designing mitigation options for all hazards in an 
integrated approach is that the methods used for design may reinforce one 
another or may conflict with one another. In the former case, the costs of 
multi-hazard design can be reduced, but, in the latter, they may be increased. 
After you prepare your final list, it would be wise to verify that these 
conflicts are not present in your selected mitigation options. If you identify 
potential conflicts, you may want to return to previous steps and review your 
selection of mitigation options. You can document any changes and maintain a 
consolidated list of options. Job Aid 5-1 in Appendix G provides a starting 
point for this task and will help you understand these conflicts. The material 
presented in this task is based on FEMA 424, Design Guide for Improving School 
Safety In Earthquakes, Floods, and High Winds.  

When your final list has been reviewed, you may want to integrate selected 
mitigation options into your mitigation plan. Fully developing a mitigation plan 
goes beyond this How-To Guide; however, FEMA 386-3, Developing the Mitigation 
Plan can help you with this task. To start you in that direction, this How-To 
Guide provides Job Aid 5-2 in Appendix G which summarizes the general 
requirements of a DMA 2000 mitigation plan and where the outputs of your HAZUS-
MH supported risk assessment fit.     

Congratulations!  You have now verified your final list of mitigation options 
and are ready to integrate them into your mitigation plan. 


Summary
Table 5-1: Consider Mitigation Options Activities and Outputs Checklist
This table consists of three columns: Activity, Output, and Check Completed 
Items. The Check Completed Items column has been left blank for notations. The 
information in the table is summarized as follows:
Activity: Identify preliminary mitigation options 
(Task 5.1)	
Output: Preliminary list of mitigation options (Worksheets 5-1A and 5-1B)
	
Activity: Review mitigation options 
(Task 5.2)
Output:	Short list of mitigation options (Worksheet 5-2)	

Activity: Identify final list of mitigation options
 (Task 5.3)
Output:	Final list of mitigation options (Worksheet 5-3)	

Activity: Verify mitigation options
(Task 5.4)
Output:	Consolidated list of mitigation options	

WORKSHEET 5-1A:  IDENTIFY PRELIMINARY LIST OF MITIGATION OPTIONS BASED ON HAZUS-
MH LOSS ESTIMATES
Worksheet 5-1A will help you record areas of major loss estimated in Step 4. 
First, mark areas of major loss predicted by HAZUS-MH for each hazard. Then 
consider specific building elements at risk. Review the areas containing check 
marks as a focus area for mitigation options. Refer to Examples 5-1A and 5-1B to 
identify potential mitigation measures. The most important mitigation measures 
identified during this process should be included in Worksheet 5-1B.   


WORKSHEET 5-1B:  PREPARE A PRELIMINARY LIST OF MITIGATION OPTIONS
Use this worksheet to list your preliminary mitigation options categorized by 
mitigation measures and hazards. This preliminary list is the output of Task 
5.1, Worksheet 5-1A, and Examples 5-1A and 5-1B. This preliminary list of 
mitigation options will be further refined in Worksheet 5-2. 

EXAMPLE 5-1A:   MITIGATION MEASURES FOR THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT
Example 5-1A should be used in conjunction with Worksheets 5-1A and 5-1B. It 
provides mitigation examples and focus areas that can be used as a starting 
point to identify your mitigation options which will be further refined in 
Worksheet 5-2. 

Table: Example Focus Areas for Physical Mitigation Options  Facilities 
(Community-Specific, Infrastructure, and General Building Stock)

Site
  Access Points
  Lighting
  Parking
  Roadway/Pedestrian/Paths
Architectural
  Access Public and Private Entrance
  Access Public-Private Space
  Access Public-Private Stairwells 
  Access Public-Private Elevators
  Egress
  Non-Bearing Walls
  Non-Structural Elements
Structural Systems
  Repairs/Rehabilitation
  Upgrading to New Codes and Standards
  Designing to New Performance Objectives
  Ductile Structural Elements/Detailing
  Sheer Reinforcement
  Connections	
  Lateral and Vertical Force Considerations
  Column Spacing, Size, Shape, and Configuration
  Reinforcement of Masonry
  Flood Elevations
Building Envelope
  Shear Walls/Steel Frame Systems
  Reinforcement Non-Bearing Masonry Walls
  Window Design/Frame/Anchorage/Glazing Mullions
  Doors
  Roof
Utility Systems
  Water/Entry Points/Site
  Water Distribution
  Water for Fire Suppression
  Sanitary and Stormwater Sewer/Site
  Sanitary and Stormwater Sewer/Building
  Fuel Entry Point/Delivery/Storage
  Manholes 
  Above/Underground Tanks
Mechanical Systems
  Air Intakes
  Exhaust Louvers
  HVAC Systems
Plumbing and Gas
  Main Piping Distribution Systems
  Gas Storage Tanks 
  Gas Reserve Supplies Location/Protection
Electrical Systems
  Electrical Wiring
  Transformers
  Distribution Panels 
  Backup Power
Fire Alarm Systems
  Fire Alarm System
  Fire Hydrant Location	
  Smoke Evacuation System
Bridges
  Build to improve design standards
  Retrofit existing bridges
  Use remote sensing to identify problems 
  Design to new performance objectives
Highways
  Engineering design improvements
  Retrofit existing roadways
  Improve lights and signs (roads and highways)
  Address potential landslide concerns
  Design to new performance objectives
Tunnels
  Rehabilitation 
  Upgrade to new codes and standards
  Design to new performance objectives
Railways
  Maintain railbeds and slopes
  Upgrade connections and lines/joints
  Improve warning system and problem identification systems
  Design to new performance objectives
Communication and IT
  Redundancy CCTV
  Telephone System/Distribution
  Communication System/Distribution 
  Radio/Wireless System 
  Redundancy/Backups
 Mass Communication
Gas and Oil Pipelines
  Improve leak detection system
  Strengthen supports and joints
  Install secondary containment/features
  Design to new performance objectives
Potable Water Systems
  Improve leak detection system
  Strengthen supports and joints
  Design to new performance objectives
Potable Water Wells
  Install protection around wellheads
  Upgrade well casing
Wastewater Systems
  Improve shut-off and diversion systems
  Segregate combined overflow systems
  Design to new performance objectives
Ports and Ferries
  Reinforcement of site structures (sea walls)
  Improve warning systems


EXAMPLE 5-1B:   MITIGATION MEASURES FOR THE BUILT
ENVIRONMENT by hazard
Example 5-1B should be used in conjunction with Worksheets 5-1A and 5-1B. It 
provides mitigation examples organized by earthquake, flood, and hurricane and 
can be used as a starting point to list your mitigation options, which will be 
further refined in Worksheet 5-2. 

EXAMPLES

EARTHQUAKE
   Conduct careful analysis of seismic risk at site or region
   Evaluate for relative seismic risk if choice of sites is available 
   Involve all design consultants from the initial stages of the building 
design
   Ensure that seismic code is correctly applied and that design and 
construction to code meets the performance requirements of the owner and other 
stakeholders
   Use as regular a building configuration as possible
   Ensure that support and bracing of all non-structural components and systems 
is correctly designed and constructed
   Ensure careful quality control on the building site to ensure building is 
constructed in complete conformance with contract documents
   Develop risk management plan for protection of building occupants and 
conduct training and exercises
   Consider reprogramming building to increase occupant safety 
   Perform careful evaluation of existing building using recognized techniques 
to determine weaknesses 
   Determine acceptable risk for stakeholders
   Study alternative remedial approaches and use benefit/cost analysis to 
determine appropriate risk management approach 
   Investigate opportunities for incremental retrofit measures to increase 
feasibility of implementation 

FLOOD
   Use regulations to guide new development away from identified high hazard 
areas (such as the floodway, for riverine flooding)
   Use floodplain regulations and building codes for planning and design of new 
buildings and infrastructure
   Increase discharge capacity by drainage improvement measures that enlarge 
channels and over-bank areas, and reduce obstructions such as undersized bridges 
and culverts
   Use elevation-in-place and floodproofing for buildings
   Construct diversion channels that direct floodwater away from the vulnerable 
areas  
   Contain, divert, or store floodwater by constructing floodwalls and levees 
as barriers to prevent inundation of protected areas from floods of a specific 
recurrence probability
   Alter channels, to prevent or reduce flooding 
   Use acquisition and demolition of flood-prone buildings
   Use physical relocation of high value buildings ( i.e., historic, schools, 
etc.)
   Modify building and relocate contents
   Elevate foundation walls, piers, post or columns, and piles
   Use dry floodproofing by sealing walls with waterproofing compounds, 
impermeable sheeting, or other covering for openings
   Use continuous wall or block foundation
   Check stability of storage tanks and pipelines through alarms and control 
panels; consider, buoyancy, impact load, scour of lines, and movement of 
connection
   Install utility component in-place protection 
   Elevate and anchor fuel tank on platform with straps
   For utilities, elevate equipment
   Modify bridges to reduce backwater flooding
   Decrease runoff of dams and reservoirs that store floodwater to reduce 
downstream flood discharges
   Retrofit wastewater treatment plants and other public buildings to 
floodproof
   Upgrade or stabilize streambeds and banks to protect installations of sewer 
and water supply lines
HURRICANE
   Implement the International Building Code (IBC) that requires load 
resistance of the roof assembly to be evaluated by one of the test methods 
listed in IBCs Chapter 15
   Consider sprayed polyurethane foam and liquid applied roof systems as roof 
covering options
   Attach vertical flanges of coping and edge flashing as roof attachment 
options 
   Tie the roof structure by strapping it to the walls
   Prevent wind from entering the building and blowing the roof off by 
strengthening the doors and providing impact-resistant glazing or window 
shutters
   Apply IBC requirements for glazing
   Recommend reinforced cast-in-place concrete structures, reinforced concrete 
roof deck, and reinforced concrete and/or reinforced and fully grouted concrete 
masonry unit exterior walls
   Apply engineering standards for new construction in high-wind zones (e.g., 
calculate loads, determine load resistance, detailed design systems, material 
durability, and rain penetration) 
   Tie the whole building securely to its foundations
   Tie together every element of the building structure and building envelope 
to resist wind forces
   Strengthen joints between various building elements to resist having them 
break into separate and vulnerable elements
   Locate new buildings away from hurricane-prone areas and avoid abrupt 
changes in topography (e.g., isolated hills, ridges, and escarpments) that can 
cause wind speed-up


WORKSHEET 5-2:  PREPARE A SHORT LIST OF MITIGATION OPTIONS
This worksheet will help you to prepare a short list of your mitigation options. 
Bring forward your preliminary mitigation options from Worksheet 5-1B and review 
them against the list of criteria. The criteria, located in the upper portion of 
the table, are described in Task 5.2. Use a plus or a minus sign  to indicate 
whether your preliminary mitigation options have a positive or negative impact 
for each criterion. Use Worksheet 5-3 to identify your final list of options 
based on your assessment.


WORKSHEET 5-3:  PREPARE a FINAL LIST OF MITIGATION OPTIONS USING HAZUS-MH
This worksheet will help you to document your final list of your mitigation 
options. The short list of options identified in Task 5.2 and Worksheet 5-1B can 
be further refined using HAZUS-MH tools to rerun pre- and post-event scenarios 
for earthquakes, floods, and hurricanes. You should also include the results of 
your Worksheet 5-2 evaluation. By using HAZUS-MH tools, you can determine if 
your mitigation options are reducing the hazard risk in your community.



Appendix A: Acronyms and Abbreviations

AEBM		Advanced Engineering Building Module
ALOHA		Areal Locations of Hazardous Atmospheres
ASCE		American Society of Civil Engineers
ASFPM		Association of State Floodplain Managers
ATC		Applied Technology Council
BFE		Base Flood Elevation
BIT-MH		Building Information Tool - Multi-Hazard
BTS		Bureau of Transportation Statistics
CCTV		closed circuit television
CD-ROM		compact disk-read only memory
CFR		Code of Federal Regulations
CREW		Cascadia Region Earthquake Workgroup
DEM		Digital Elevation Model
DFIRM		Digital Flood Insurance Rate Map
DHS		Department of Homeland Security
DMA 2000	Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000
DOGAMI		Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries
DOT		United States Department of Transportation
DVD-ROM		digital video disk-read only memory
EMA		Emergency Management Agency
EOC		Emergency Operations Center
EOP		Emergency Operations Plan
EPA		U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
ESMP		Enhanced State Mitigation Plan
ESRI		Environmental Systems Research Inc.
FCC		Federal Communications Commision
FEMA		Federal Emergency Management Agency
FHWA		Federal Highway Administration
FLDWAV		Floodwav
FIRM		Flood Insurance Rate Map
FIS		Flood Insurance Study
FIT		Flood Information Tool
FPMP		Floodplain Management Plan
FPI		Fire Potential Index
GIS		Geographic Information System
GB		gigabyte
GHz		gigahertz
hazmat		Hazardous Material
Hazus		Hazards U.S.
HAZUS-MH	Hazards U.S. - Multi-hazard
HGMP		Hazard Grant Mitigation Program
HUG		HAZUS-MH User Group
HVAC		Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning
IBC 		International Building Code
InCAST		Inventory Collection and Survey Tool
Lat/Long	Latitude/Longitude
LEPC		Local Emergency Planning Committee
LMP		Local Mitigation Plan
LOJIC		Louisville/Jefferson County Information Center
LRT		Locational Reference Tables
MB		megabyte
MMI		Multi-hazard Mapping Initiative (or Map Modernization Initiative)
MRP		mean return period
MPH		miles per hour
N/A		not applicable
NEHRP		National Earthquake Hazard Reduction Program
NIBS		National Institute of Building Sciences
NFDRS		National Fire Danger Rating System
NFIP		National Flood Insurance Program
NOAA		National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NWS		National Weather Service
OEM		Office of Emergency Management
OMB		Office of Management and Budget
PGA		peak ground acceleration
PGD		peak ground displacement
Q3		digital quality level 3 flood data
RAM		Random Access Memory
RAT		Risk Assessment Tool
SFHA		Special Flood Hazard Area
SHMO		State Hazard Mitigation Officer
SSMP		Standard State Mitigation Plan
STAPLEE	Social, Technical, Administrative, Policy, Legal, Economic, 
		Environmental
TIN		Triangular Irregular Network
TRI		Toxic Release Inventory
U.S.		United States of America
USACE		U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
USDA		U.S. Department of Agriculture
USFS		U.S. Forest Service
USGS		United States Geological Survey



Appendix B: Glossary of Terms

100-year flood. A flood that has a 1 percent chance of occurring in any given 
year.  A 100-year flood is also referred to as a base flood.

500-year flood. A flood that has a 0.2 percent chance of occurring in any given 
year.

Aggregate data. Data gathered together in an area such as a Census tract.

Areal Locations of Hazardous Atmospheres (ALOHA). A computer program that uses 
information that you provide along with physical property data from its 
extensive chemical library to predict how a hazardous gas cloud might disperse 
in the atmosphere after an accidental chemical release. ALOHA can predict rates 
of chemical release from broken gas pipes, leaking tanks, and evaporating 
puddles, and it can model the dispersion of both neutrally buoyant and heavier-
than-air gases.

Asset. Any manmade or natural feature that has value, including people; 
buildings; infrastructure such as bridges, roads, and sewer and water systems; 
lifelines such as electricity and communication resources; and environmental, 
cultural, or recreational features such as parks, dunes, wetlands, and 
landmarks.

Base flood. A flood that has a 1 percent probability of being equaled or 
exceeded in any given year. It is also known as the 100-year flood.

Base Flood Elevation (BFE). The elevation of the base flood in relation to a 
specified datum such as the National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929. The BFE is 
used as the standard for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

Building. A structure that is walled, roofed, principally above ground, and 
permanently affixed to a site.  The term also applies to a manufactured home on 
a permanent foundation on which the wheels and axles carry no weight.

Critical facility. Facilities that are critical to the health and welfare of the 
population and that are especially important following hazard events. Critical 
facilities include essential facilities, transportation systems, lifeline 
utility systems, high potential loss facilities, and hazardous material 
facilities.


Dam failure. A breach of a dam that can occur for a number of reasons, such as 
flash flooding, inadequate spillways, mechanical failure of valves or other 
equipment, rodent activities (in earthen dams), freezing and thawing cycles, 
earthquakes, and intentional destruction.

Debris. The scattered remains of assets broken or destroyed in a hazard event. 
Debris caused by a wind or water hazard event can result in additional damage to 
other assets.

Digital elevation model (DEM). A data file that contains digital representations 
of cartographic information in a raster form. DEMs consist of a sampled array of 
elevations for a number of ground positions at regularly spaced intervals. These 
digital data files are produced by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) as part of 
the National Mapping Program.
Digital quality level 3 flood data (Q3). Digital representations of certain 
features of Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs). Digital Q3s are intended for use 
with desktop mapping and geographic information system (GIS) technology.

The Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (DMA 2000). A law that encourages and 
rewards local and state pre-disaster planning, promotes sustainability as a 
strategy for disaster resistance, and is intended to integrate state and local 
planning with the aim of strengthening statewide mitigation planning.

Displacement time. The average time (in days) that a buildings occupants 
typically must operate from a temporary location while repairs are being made to 
the building because of damages resulting from a hazard event.

Drought. A period of time without substantial rainfall that persists from one 
year to the next. Droughts can affect large areas and can range in scope from a 
few counties to several states. Along with decreasing water supplies for human 
consumption and use, droughts can damage or destroy crops, grazing land, edible 
plants, and trees.

Duration. How long a hazard event lasts.

Earthquake. A sudden motion or trembling of the earths crust that is caused by 
a release of strain accumulated within or along the edge of the earths tectonic 
plates.

Erosion. Wearing away of the land surface by means of detachment and movement of 
soil and rock fragments. Erosion occurs during a flood or storm or over a period 
of years through the action of wind, water, or geologic processes.

Erosion hazard area. An area of land anticipated to be lost to shoreline 
recession over a given period of time. The projected inland extent of the area 
is measured by multiplying the average annual long-term recession rate by a 
given number of years.

Essential facility. A facility that is important to a full recovery of a 
community or state following a hazard event. Essential facilities include 
government functions; major employers; banks; schools; and certain commercial 
establishments such as grocery stores, hardware stores, and gasoline stations.

Extent. The size of an area affected by a hazard or hazard event.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). An independent agency created in 
1978 to provide a single point of accountability for all Federal activities 
related to disaster mitigation and emergency preparedness, response, and 
recovery. FEMA is now a part of the Department of Homeland Security.

Fire Potential Index (FPI). Developed by USGS and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) 
to assess and map the fire hazard potential over broad areas. Based on 
geographic information, makers of national policy and fire managers have 
established priorities for prevention activities in a defined area to reduce the 
risk of manmade fire and wildfire ignition and spread. Prediction of a fire 
hazard shortens the time between fire ignition and initial emergency response by 
enabling fire managers to pre-allocate and stage suppression forces for high 
fire risk areas.

Flash flood. A flood event occurring with little or no warning where water 
levels rise extremely quickly.

Flood. A general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of 
normally dry land areas resulting from (1) overflow of inland or tidal waters, 
(2) unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff of surface waters from any source, 
or (3) mudflows or the sudden collapse of shoreline land.

Flood depth. The height of the flood water surface above the ground surface.

Flood elevation. The elevation of the flood water surface above an established 
datum such as the National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929, the North American 
Vertical Datum of 1988, or mean sea level.

Flood hazard area. The area shown to be inundated by a flood of a given 
magnitude on a map.

Flood Information Tool (FIT). A tool designed to process and convert locally 
available flood information into data that can be used by the Hazards U.S. 
(HAZUS) flood module.  The FIT is a system of instructions, tutorials, and GIS 
scripts. When provided with user-supplied inputs (e.g., ground elevations, flood 
elevations, and floodplain boundary information), the FIT calculates flood 
depths and elevations for riverine and coastal flood hazards.

Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM). A map of a community prepared by FEMA that 
shows both special flood hazard areas and the risk premium zones applicable to 
the community.

Flood Insurance Study (FIS). A study that provides an examination, evaluation, 
and determination of flood hazards and, if appropriate, corresponding water 
surface elevations in a community or communities.

Floodplain. Any land area, including any watercourse, that is susceptible to 
partial or complete inundation by water from any source.

Frequency. A measure of how often events of a particular magnitude are expected 
to occur. Frequency describes how often a hazard of a specific magnitude, 
duration, or extent typically occurs. Statistically, a hazard with a 100-year 
recurrence interval is expected to occur once every 100 years on average and has 
a 1 percent chance (its probability) of happening in any given year. The 
reliability of frequency information varies depending on the kind of hazard 
being considered.

Fujita scale of tornado intensity. A scale that rates tornadoes with numeric 
values ranging from F0 to F5 based on wind speed and damage sustained.  An F0 
rating indicates minimal damage such as broken tree limbs or signs, while an F5 
indicates severe damage.

Geographic Information System (GIS). A computer software application that 
relates physical features on the earth to a database to be used for mapping and 
analysis.

Hailstorm. A storm of spherical balls of ice. Hail is a product of thunderstorms 
or intense showers. It is generally white and translucent, consisting of liquid 
or snow particles encased with layers of ice. Hail is formed within the high 
portion of a well-organized thunderstorm. When hailstones become too heavy to be 
caught in an updraft and carried back into the clouds of a thunderstorm 
(hailstones can be caught in numerous updrafts, adding a coating of ice to the 
original frozen droplets each time), they then fall as hail, and a hailstorm 
occurs.

Hazard. A source of potential danger or adverse conditions.  Hazards in this 
How-To Guide include natural events such as floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, 
tsunamis, coastal storms, landslides, and wildfires that strike populated areas. 
A natural event is a hazard when it has the potential to harm people or 
property.

Hazard event. A specific occurrence of a particular type of hazard.

Hazard identification. The process of identifying the hazards that threaten an 
area.

Hazard mitigation. Sustained actions taken to reduce or eliminate the long-term 
risks associated with hazards and their effects.

Hazardous material facilities. Facilities housing hazardous materials such as 
corrosives, explosives, flammable materials, radioactive materials, and toxins.

Hazard profile. A description of the physical characteristics of hazards and a 
presentation of various hazard descriptors, including magnitude, duration, 
frequency, probability, and extent. In most cases, a community can most easily 
use these descriptors when they are displayed on maps.

Hazards U.S. (HAZUS). A GIS-based, nationally standardized earthquake loss 
estimation tool developed by FEMA.

Hazards U.S.  Multi-Hazard (HAZUS-MH). A GIS-based, nationally standardized 
earthquake, flood, and wind loss estimation tool developed by FEMA.

HAZUS-MH analysis. An analysis involving use of default data or local data 
integrated in HAZUS-MH and performed using a computer. This analysis is used for 
earthquake, flood, and wind hazards if they are priority concerns in a study 
region.

HAZUS-MH-driven analysis. An analysis involving use of inventory data in HAZUS-
MH combined with knowledge about potentially exposed areas or expected impact 
areas and knowledge of the likelihood of hazard event occurrence.

High potential loss facilities. Facilities that would present a high loss if 
they were damaged by a hazard event. These facilities include nuclear power 
plants, dams, and military installations.

Hurricane. An intense tropical cyclone formed over warm ocean areas.  Hurricane 
winds reach 74 miles per hour or more and blow in a large spiral around a 
relatively calm center or eye. Hurricanes develop over the north Atlantic 
Ocean, the northeast Pacific Ocean, or the south Pacific Ocean east of 160 east 
longitude. Hurricane circulation is counter-clockwise in the northern hemisphere 
and clockwise in the southern hemisphere.

Hydraulics. A branch of science or engineering that addresses fluids (specially 
water) in motion, waters action in rivers and channels, the works of machinery 
for raising water, waters use as a prime mover, and the like.

Hydrology. A branch of science of dealing with the waters of the earth. A flood 
discharge is examined in a hydrologic study.

Infrastructure. The public services of a community that have a direct impact on 
the quality of life. Infrastructure includes communication technologies  (e.g., 
telephone lines and Internet access); vital services (e.g., public water 
supplies and sewer treatment facilities); transportation system components 
(e.g., airways, airports, and heliports); highways, (e.g., bridges, tunnels, 
roadbeds, overpasses, railways, rail yards, and depots); and waterways (e.g., 
canals, locks, seaports, ferries, harbors, drydocks, piers, and regional dams).

Intensity. A measure of the effects of a hazard event at a particular place.

Inventory. The assets identified in a study region.

Loss estimation. Estimation of potential losses by assigning hazard-related 
costs and losses to inventory data such as data for populations, building 
stocks, transportation and utility lines, regulated facilities, and more). 
HAZUS-MH can estimate economic and social losses based on a specific hazard 
event. Loss estimation is essential to decision-making at all levels of 
government and provides a basis for developing mitigation plans and policies. 
Loss estimation also supports planning for emergency preparedness, response, and 
recovery.

Lowest floor. Under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), the lowest 
floor of the lowest enclosed area (including the basement) of a structure.
Magnitude. A measure of the strength of a hazard event. The magnitude (also 
referred to as the severity) of a given hazard event is usually determined using 
technical measures specific to the hazard.

Mitigation plan. A document presenting a systematic evaluation of the nature and 
extent of an areas vulnerability to the effects of natural hazards and a 
description of actions to minimize future vulnerability to hazards.

National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). A Federal program created by Congress 
in 1968 that makes flood insurance available in communities that enact minimum 
floodplain management regulations presented in 44 Code of Federal Regulations 
(CFR) 60.3.

National Weather Service (NWS). An agency that prepares and issues flood, severe 
weather, and coastal storm warnings and that can provide technical assistance to 
Federal and State entities for preparing weather and flood warning plans.

Outflow. The flow of water resulting from the inundation of an area.  An 
outflows strong currents rip at structures, pound them with debris, and erode 
beaches and coastal structures.

Parametric model. A model related to or designed in terms of a parameter.

Pilot projects. HAZUS-MH projects being conducted in several FEMA regions to 
demonstrate the value and benefits of using HAZUS-MH for the risk assessment 
portion of the all-hazards mitigation plans required by DMA 2000. The pilot 
projects demonstrate the value of using HAZUS-MH to evaluate and analyze natural 
hazards that states or communities might address in their DMA planning process. 
The pilot projects also demonstrate that HAZUS-MH can provide defensible cost 
and loss estimates by virtue of the automated engineering and scientific risk 
calculations included in the software.  

Planimetric map. A map that shows only manmade features such as buildings.

Planning. The act or process of making plans and establishing goals, policies, 
and procedures for a social or economic unit.

Probability. A statistical measure of the likelihood that a hazard event will 
occur.

Recurrence interval. The time between hazard events of similar size at a given 
location. The recurrence interval is based on the probability of a given event 
being equaled or exceeded in any given year.

Repetitive loss property. An insured property for which two or more NFIP losses 
(occurring more than 10 days apart) of at least $1,000 each have been paid 
within any 10-year period since 1978.

Replacement value. The cost of rebuilding a structure. This is usually expressed 
in terms of cost per square foot and reflects the present-day cost of labor and 
materials to construct a building of a particular size, type, and quality.

Risk. The estimated impact that a hazard event would have on people, services, 
facilities, and structures in a community, or the likelihood of a hazard event 
resulting in an adverse condition that causes injury or damage.  Risk is often 
expressed in relative terms such as a high, moderate, or low likelihood of 
damage being sustained above a particular threshold as a result of a specific 
type of hazard event. Risk also can be expressed in terms of potential monetary 
losses associated with the intensity of the hazard event.

Risk assessment. A methodology used to assess potential exposures and estimated 
losses associated with likely hazard events. The HAZUS-MH risk assessment 
process includes four steps:  identifying hazards, profiling hazard events, 
inventorying assets, and estimating losses.

Riverine. Related to or produced by a river.

Scale. A proportion used in determining a dimensional relationship. A scale is 
the ratio of the distance between two points on a map and the actual distance 
between the two points on the earths surface.

Scour. Erosion of soil or fill material by the flow of flood waters. The term is 
frequently used to describe storm-induced, localized, conical erosion around 
pilings and other foundation supports where the obstruction of flow increases 
turbulence.

Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). An area within a floodplain having a 1 percent 
or greater chance of flood occurrence in any given year (a 100-year floodplain).  
An SFHA is represented on a FIRM by darkly shaded areas with zone designations 
that include the letter A or V.

Stafford Act. The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance 
Act (Public Law [PL] 100-107). The act was signed into law on November 23, 1988, 
and amended the Disaster Relief Act of 1974 (PL 93-288). The Stafford Act is the 
statutory authority for most Federal disaster response activities, especially as 
they pertain to FEMA and its programs.

State Hazard Mitigation Officer (SHMO). The representative of a state government 
who is the primary point of contact with FEMA, other Federal and State agencies, 
and local units of government in the planning and implementation of pre- and 
post-disaster mitigation activities.

Structure. Something constructed (see Building).
 
Substantial damage. Damage sustained by a structure in an SFHA for which the 
cost of restoring the structure to its before-damage condition would equal or 
exceed 50 percent of the market value of the structure before the damage.

Topographic. A map that shows natural features and indicates the physical shape 
of the land using contour lines. A topographic map may also include manmade 
features.

Tornado. A violently rotating column of air extending from a thunderstorm to the 
ground.

Transportation systems. The lifeline systems that include airways (airports and 
heliports), highways (bridges, tunnels, roadbeds, overpasses, and transfer 
centers); railways (tracks, tunnels, bridges, rail yards, and depots), and 
waterways (canals, locks, seaports, ferries, harbors, drydocks, and piers).

Triangular Irregular Network (TIN). A terrain model constructed using adjacent 
non-overlapping triangles and created based on irregularly spaced points with x, 
y, and z values.

Utility systems. The lifeline systems that include potable water, wastewater, 
oil, natural gas, electric power, and communication systems.

Vulnerability. How exposed or susceptible to damage an asset is. Vulnerability 
depends on an assets construction, its contents, and the economic value of its 
functions. Like indirect damages, the vulnerability of one element of a 
community is often related to the vulnerability of another.  For example, many 
businesses depend on uninterrupted electrical power; if an electrical substation 
is flooded, not only will the substation itself be affected, but a number of 
businesses as well.  Indirect effects can often be much more widespread and 
damaging than direct ones.

Vulnerability assessment. An assessment of the extent of injury and damage that 
may result from a hazard event of a given intensity in a given area. The 
vulnerability assessment should address the impacts of hazard events on both 
existing and future conditions.

Water displacement. The displacement of a column of water above a large mass of 
earth on the ocean bottom that sinks or uplifts. Such displacement can form 
tsunamis.  The rate of displacement, the motion of the ocean floor at the 
epicenter, the amount of displacement in the rupture zone, and the depth of 
water above the rupture zone all contribute to the intensity of the tsunamis.

Watershed. An area of land that drains downslope to the lowest point. The water 
moves through a network of drainage pathways, both underground and on the 
surface. Generally these pathways converge into streams and rivers that become 
progressively larger as the water moves downstream, eventually reaching an 
estuary and an ocean.

Zone. A geographic area shown on a FIRM that reflects the severity or type of 
flooding in the area.



Appendix C: DMA 2000 Job Aid

JOB AID 1: DMA 2000 REQUIREMENTS AND HAZUS-MH RESOURCES

A.  Plan Requirement
Requirements for Standard State Mitigation Plan (SSMP) 201.4	
SSMP-  Due date is November 1, 2004*
SSMP includes the requirements of the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) 
Administrative Plan. 
In order for a state to be eligible for HMGP funding based on 15 percent of the 
total estimated eligible Stafford Act disaster assistance, the Federal Emergency 
Management Agency (FEMA) must approve the SSMP by November 1, 2004. SSMPs must 
be updated every 3 years.	

Additional Requirements for Enhanced State Mitigation Plan (ESMP) 201.5 And 
Local Mitigation Plan (LMP) 201.6 
ESMP-  Due date is November 1, 2004*
ESMP increase eligibility for HMGP funding from 15 to 20 percent of available 
funding. ESMPs must demonstrate that the state (201.5[a]):
  Has developed a comprehensive mitigation program  
  Makes effective use of available mitigation funding 
  Is capable of managing the increased funding  
LMP-  Due date is November 1, 2004*
LMPs must be updated every 5 years. Multi-jurisdictional plans can be used as 
long as each jurisdiction participates in the process and officially adopts the 
plan. Statewide plans will not be accepted as multi-jurisdictional plans. Up to 
7 percent of mitigation funding can be used to support planning, including LMP 
development.	

HAZUS-MH and Other Resources
DMA 2000:  State and Local Plan Interim Criteria and Mitigation Planning 
Workshop for Local Governments:  
http://www.fema.gov/fima/planning8.shtm

HAZUS-MH Software, User Manuals, and Other Products:  http://www.fema.gov/hazus/


B.  Planning Process
SSMP-  Includes coordination with other State agencies, appropriate Federal 
agencies, interested groups, and integration, to the extent possible, with other 
ongoing State planning efforts as well as other FEMA mitigation programs and 
initiatives.

ESMP-  Same requirements as SSMP.  
LMP-  Additional requirements include: (1) opportunity for public to comment on 
the LMP during development and before approval; (2) opportunity for involvement 
by neighboring communities, local and regional agencies supporting hazard 
mitigation and development activities, and businesses, academia, and other 
private and non-profit interests; and (3) review and incorporation, if 
appropriate, of existing plans, studies, reports, and technical information.	

Using HAZUS-MH in Local Government Planning:  
http://www.fema.gov/hazus/dl_hazgov.shtm   
How to Create A HAZUS Users Group, April 2002, FEMA 404:  
http://www.fema.gov/hazus/us_main.shtm
  

C.  Plan Content

1.  Planning Process Description
SSMP-  Describes the planning processes used to prepare the plan, including:
  How the plan was prepared
  Who was involved 
  How other agencies participated	

ESMP-  Additional requirements include demonstrating integration to the extent 
practicable with (1) other State and/or regional planning initiatives 
(comprehensive growth management, economic development, capital improvement, 
land development, and/or emergency management plans) and (2) FEMA mitigation 
programs and initiatives that provide guidance to State and regional agencies. 
(201.5[b][1])
LMP:  Additional requirements include describing how the public was involved.	

HAZUS Frequently Asked Questions:  
http://www.fema.gov/hazus/fq_main.shtm
For more help with HAZUS-MH, get contact information from:  
http://www.fema.gov/hazus/ct_main.shtm



2.  Risk Assessments
SSMP- Includes:
  A statewide risk assessment that provides a statewide overview 
characterization and analysis of potential natural hazards and associated risks.
  Comparison of potential losses throughout the State to determine priorities 
for implementing mitigation measures (item 3 below) and prioritize jurisdictions 
for technical and financial support in developing more detailed local risk and 
vulnerability assessments.

The risk assessment shall include:
i. Overview of Hazards Types and locations of hazards, past occurrences, and 
probability of future events, using maps, as appropriate.
ii. Overview and Analysis of Vulnerability Overview and analysis of the States 
vulnerability to the hazards based on estimates provided in local risk 
assessments as well as the State risk assessment.  The State will describe 
vulnerability in terms of the jurisdictions most threatened by the identified 
hazards and most vulnerable to damage and loss associated with hazard events. 
State-owned or operated critical  facilities in the hazard areas also will be 
addressed.
iii. Overview and Analysis of Potential Losses Identification of vulnerable 
structures and estimate of potential dollar losses to State-owned or -operated 
buildings, infrastructure, and critical facilities located in the identified 
hazards areas (based on LMPs and State risk assessment).  	

ESMP- Same requirements as SSMP.
LMP- (i) Overview of Hazards and (ii) Summary of Each Hazard and its Impacts, 
including:
(a) Types and number of existing and future buildings, infrastructure, and 
critical facilities in the identified hazard areas; 
(b) Estimate of potential dollar losses and description of how estimate was 
prepared (similar to item iii for SSMPs); 
(c) General description of local land use and development trends so that 
mitigation options can be considered in future land use decisions. 
For multi-jurisdictional plans, the risk assessment section must assess each 
jurisdictions risks where they vary from the risks facing the entire planning 
area.

State and Local Mitigation Planning How-to Guide, Understanding Your Risks; 
Identifying Hazards and Estimating Losses, 2001, FEMA 386-2:  
http://www.fema.gov/fima/planning_toc3.shtm

HAZUS-MH software - addresses earthquake, flood, and wind (hurricane) hazards. 
Methodology can also be applied to other hazards. Features include:
  Users manuals for each hazard
  Census, historic hazard event, and building and critical infrastructure 
default data 
  GIS open architecture and input tools to allow local data integration
  Capability to estimate potential losses for infrastructure and injury
  Ability to evaluate multiple risk scenarios 
  Data presentation tools (maps and tables) 

Case studies of using HAZUS-MH:  http://www.fema.gov/hazus/cs_main.shtm

Compendium of Pilot Projects:  Using HAZUS-MH for Risk Assessment (FEMA 463)

How-to Guide and Training Course:  How-to Use HAZUS for Risk Assessment (FEMA 
433 and E296)

Additional HAZUS-MH National Training course information:  
http://www.fema.gov/hazus/tr_main.shtm

To request Regional Training, contact:  John.Ingargiola@dhs.gov


3.  Mitigation Strategy
SSMP-  Documents the following elements of strategy  
i. State Goals--Describes the State goals to guide the selection of mitigation 
activities to reduce potential losses identified in Item 2 above.
ii. State Mitigation Programs--Presents the States pre- and post-disaster 
hazard management policies, programs, and capabilities to mitigate the hazards 
in the area, including:
  An evaluation of State laws, regulations, policies, and programs related to 
hazard mitigation and related to development in hazard-prone areas
  A discussion of State funding capabilities for hazard mitigation projects
  A general description and analysis of the effectiveness of local mitigation 
policies, programs, and capabilities
iii. Analysis--Identifies, evaluates, and prioritizes cost-effective, 
environmentally sound, and technically feasible mitigation actions and 
activities that the State is considering and explains how each activity 
contributes to the overall mitigation strategy. Also, this section should link 
to LMPs, where specific local actions and projects are identified.
iv. Funding--Identifies current and potential sources of Federal, State, local, 
or private funding to implement mitigation activities.

ESMP-  Also should address the following  
Project Implementation Capability (201.5[b][2]) Documents project 
implementation capability, identifying and demonstrating the ability to 
implement the plan, including
i. Eligibility Criteria--Present established eligibility criteria for multi-
hazard mitigation measures. 
ii. Mitigation Actions--A system to determine the cost-effectiveness of 
mitigation measures, consistent with Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
Circular A-94, Guidelines and Discount Rates for Benefit-Cost Analysis of 
Federal Programs, and to rank the measures according to the States eligibility 
criteria.
iii. HMGP Management--Demonstration that the State has the capability to 
effectively manage the HMGP as well as other mitigation grant programs, 
including a record of the following:
a. Meeting HMGP and other mitigation grant application timeframes and submitting 
complete, technically feasible, and eligible project applications with 
appropriate supporting documentation;
b. Preparing and submitting accurate environmental reviews and benefit-cost 
analyses;
c. Submitting complete and accurate quarterly progress and financial reports on 
time; and
d. Completing HMGP and other mitigation grant projects within established 
performance periods, including financial reconciliation.
iv. Mitigation Assessment A system and strategy by which the State will conduct 
an assessment of completed mitigation actions and include a record of the 
effectiveness (actual cost avoidance) of each mitigation action.

LMP-  Provides the blueprint for reducing the potential losses identified in the 
risk assessment, based on existing authorities, policies, programs, resources, 
and local ability to expand on and improve these existing tools. Same content as 
SSMP, but presented in the HAZUS-MH following subsections focusing on the local 
level:  (1) mitigation goals, (2) mitigation actions, and (3) action plans. For 
multi-jurisdictional plans, actions must be specific to the jurisdiction 
requesting FEMA approval or credit of the plan.	
A Guide to Using HAZUS for Mitigation, April 2002:  
http://www.fema.gov/hazus/dl_guide.shtm

HAZUS supports analyses to assist in prioritizing mitigation measures.  Examples 
are provided below:
  Comparison of costs and benefits (reduced potential losses) with various 
mitigation assumptions used for a hazard
  Evaluation of costs and benefits of alternate projects
  Assessing potential loss estimates assuming different growth rates (as 
recommended by Section 322)
  Analysis of impacts of various model ordinances 

HAZUS-MH Wizards are available on the web site above to assist users with common 
functions  (e.g., the Risk Assessment Tool and Flood Wizard are available as 
third-party models to support HAZUS-MH implementation)


4.  Coordination of Local Mitigation Planning 
SSMP - Includes:
i. Funding--Describes State process to support, through funding and technical 
assistance, the development of LMPs.
ii. Timeframe--Describes the State process and timeframe by which the LMPs will 
be reviewed, coordinated, and linked to the State Mitigation Plan.
iii. Prioritization Criteria--Describes the criteria to be used in prioritizing 
communities and local jurisdictions that would receive planning and project 
grants under available funding programs, which should include consideration for 
communities with the highest risks, repetitive loss properties, and most intense 
development pressures.  Further, for non-planning grants, a principal criterion 
for prioritization will be the extent to which benefits are maximized according 
to a benefit/cost review of proposed projects and their associated costs.	

ESMP-  Also demonstrates States commitment to a comprehensive State mitigation 
program (201.5[b][4]), which can include any of the following:
i. Local Support--A commitment to support local mitigation planning by providing 
workshops and training, State planning grants, or coordinated capability 
development of local officials, including Emergency Management and Floodplain 
Management certifications.
ii. Statewide Support--A Statewide program of hazard mitigation through the 
development of legislative initiatives, mitigation councils, formation of 
public/private partnerships, and/or other executive actions that promote hazard 
mitigation.
iii. State Funding--State provision of a portion of the non-Federal match for 
HMGP and/or other mitigation projects.
iv. Building Code Standards--To the extent allowed by State law, the State 
requires or encourages local governments to use a current version of a 
nationally applicable model building code or standard that addresses natural 
hazards as a basis for design and construction of State-sponsored mitigation 
projects.
v. Multi-year Plan--A comprehensive, multi-year plan to mitigate the risks posed 
to existing buildings that have been identified as necessary for post-disaster 
response and recovery operations.
vi. Post-disaster Recovery--A comprehensive description of how the State 
integrates mitigation into its post-disaster recovery operations.

LMP-  201.6 does not require a separate section to address local coordination; 
however, the need for local coordination is clearly documented in the rule.  The 
LMP should clearly document coordination processes; this could be included in 
section C.1 (above) or included as a separate section on coordination (as 
required for the SSMP and EMP). Multi-jurisdictional LMPs must document 
coordination across jurisdictions.	

HAZUS-MH stores data from a variety of sources and programs to support cross-
agency and program coordination. If used at both State and local levels, HAZUS-
MH will allow the LMPs to be more readily integrated into the State planning 
process. 


5.  Plan Maintenance Process
SSMP - Includes:
i. Method and schedule for monitoring, evaluating, and updating the plan.
ii. A system for monitoring implementation of mitigation measures and project 
closeouts.
iii. A system for reviewing progress toward goals as well as activities and 
projects identified in Item 3.	ESMP-  Same requirements as SSMP.  

ESMP-  Same as SSMP
LMP-  Describes:  
i. The method and schedule of monitoring, evaluating, and updating the LMP 
within a 5-year cycle
ii. The process for incorporating the requirements of the LMP into other 
planning mechanisms, such as comprehensive or capital improvement plans, when 
appropriate 
iii. How the community will continue public participation in the LMP maintenance 
process. Annual reviews of the plan are recommended.  	

HAZUS-MH software facilitates data maintenance.  It also supports the creation 
of output maps and reports to present data and findings. This supports 
consistent formats and updates of plans and communication of findings and plans 
to stakeholders.  


6.  Plan Adoption Process
Documents formal adoption by the State before submittal to FEMA for final review 
and approval.

ESMP-Same as SSMP.
LMP-Documents LMP adoption by the appropriate local government body. For multi-
jurisdictional plans, each jurisdiction requesting plan approval must document 
adoption. LMP must identify specific projects if funding is requested.	

HAZUS-MH Software: Not applicable.


7.  Assurances
Includes state assurance of compliance with all applicable Federal statutes and 
regulations in effect for the periods for which it receives grant funding, in 
compliance with 44 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 13.11(c). The SSMP will be 
amended whenever necessary to reflect changes in State or Federal laws and 
statutes as required in 44 CFR 13.11(d).	

ESMP-   Should also include a demonstration that the State effectively uses 
existing mitigation programs to achieve its mitigation goals. ((201.5[b][3])
LMP-  Although a specific section on assurances is not identified for LMPs, 
assurance regarding use of the LMP to achieve mitigation goals and regulatory 
compliance are inferred by the rule and a section should be included.	

HAZUS-MH-Not applicable.


D.  Review and Updates
SSMP- Plans for review and revision should reflect changes in development, 
progress in Statewide mitigation efforts, and changes in priorities. Revisions 
will be resubmitted to the appropriate Regional Director every 3 years.  The 
Regional review will be completed within 45 days after receipt from the State, 
whenever possible.  

Note:  Although not a requirement, FEMA also encourages States to review their 
plans in the post-disaster timeframe to reflect changing priorities.	

ESMP-  Same cycle as SSMPs. 
LMP-  The LMP must be submitted to the State Hazard Mitigation Officer for 
initial review and coordination. The State then sends the LMP to the appropriate 
FEMA Regional Office for formal review and approval.  
The review process occurs as follows:
  The Regional review will be completed within 45 days after receipt from the 
State, whenever possible.
  Plans must be reviewed, revised if appropriate, and resubmitted for approval 
within 5 years in order to continue to be eligible for HMGP project grant 
funding.
  For States with managing authority, (that is, States with delegated approval 
authority for local mitigation plans), FEMA approval will not be required. 
Instead, States use the criteria in this part to review each LMP within 45 days 
of receipt, whenever possible, and provide a copy of the approved plans to the 
FEMA Regional Office.	

HAZUS-MH reflects a standard methodology developed by FEMA; therefore, HAZUS-MH 
can be used for reviewing and updating your risk assessment to support the 
mitigation plan. 


References:  Federal Register, Volume 67, No. 38, February 26, 2002 and Federal 
Register, Volume 67, No. 190, October 1, 2002.



Appendix D: Job Aids for Step 2

HAZARD TYPE

Level 1 Analysis  create a study region, select a scenario, run a scenario, and 
get results.

Earthquake
Inputs:  No additional data required for this analysis.  Soil type is assumed to 
be stiff soil (Type D as classified by the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction 
Program [NEHRP]). Level 1analysis assumes no liquefaction and no landslide 
susceptibility.  Note: water depth is not important if no liquefaction potential 
is assumed.
Use:  Practical for larger areas (county or multi-county), such as statewide 
risk assessment efforts, and for general prioritization of jurisdictions by 
potential loss.
Outputs:  Ground shaking and loss estimates (see Job Aid 4-1 in Appendix F).	

Flood (RIVERINE)
Inputs: Download USGS Digital Elevation Model (DEM) data (available from 
http://seamless.usgs.gov/) for all watersheds that intersect the boundary of 
your study region (even if the majority of that watershed lies outside your 
study region).
Generate a stream network, which is a collection of all reaches capable of 
causing flooding; then use this to specify a drainage area (the minimum area you 
can specify is 1 square mile).  Then you can select a scenario; for the flood 
hazards, this is called a flood case study.  
Use:  Practical for larger areas. (county or multi-county)
Outputs:  Discharge frequency curve, flood depth (done within HAZUS-MH), and 
loss estimates (see Job Aid 4-3 in Appendix F)

FLOOD (Coastal)
Inputs:  DEM and geometry of the 100-year still water area.  You also can 
specify the type of coastal characteristics you have (wetlands, protected by 
rigid structures, or sandy, beaches, and small dunes). You also need to 
determine the still water elevation.
Use:  Practical for larger areas.
Outputs:  Discharge frequency curve, dune erosion, flood-prone areas, flood 
depth due to surge (done within HAZUS-MH),  and loss estimates (see Job Aid 4-3 
in Appendix F)	

Hurricane
Inputs:  None required. Level 1 analysis includes a surface roughness map and a 
tree map (vegetation map). You can select Census block or tract level analysis.
Use:  Recommended for analysis of either large or small areas.
Outputs:  Wind speed and loss estimates (see Job Aid 4-2 in Appendix F).	

OTHER HAZARDS
Third party models provided with HAZUS-MH or being considered to supplement 
HAZUS-MH can support the evaluation of other hazards.

The ALOHA model is a third-party model. This tool allows modeling of chemical 
release events as air dispersion plumes.  

FLOODWAV is a third-party model that can assist in modeling dam breach impacts.  
The outputs of these models (hazard areas) can be overlain with inventory data 
to assess exposure.

Other models may be added over time or can be used by knowledgeable parties.



Level 2 Analysis  create a study region, refine HAZUS-MH provided data, select 
a scenario, run a scenario, and get results.

Earthquake
Inputs:  Additional hazard data including:
  NEHRP soil type map
  Liquefaction susceptibility map
  Landslide susceptibility map
  Water depth map
You also will integrate your improved inventory data, as available.
Use:  Recommended for earthquake-prone areas, where regional or local data for 
the above items can be obtained. Modeling can then be targeted to smaller 
geographic areas.
Outputs:  Ground shaking, ground failure, and refined loss estimates (see Job 
Aid 4-1).	

Flood (RIVERINE)
Inputs:  You will use the Flood Information Tool (FIT) to add locally collected 
flood and terrain data (USGS DEM/topographic data can be used).  Data you will 
need for FIT include: 
  DEM
  Flood-prone areas (FIRM, DFIRM, Q3, and base flood elevation at different 
cross sections).
Also, you will need updated inventory data (focusing on refining first floor 
elevation data for buildings and inventory in flood zone areas).
Use:  Level 2 is designed for localized flood analysis (city or smaller) and is 
not recommended for large areas; use Level 1 or the flood macro (see Other 
Options, below) for large areas. 
Outputs:  Discharge frequency, flood depth (done in FIT), and refined loss 
estimates (see Job Aid 4-3).
	
Flood (RIVERINE)
Inputs:  To run a Level 2 analysis you will improve inventory data.  You also 
can refine the 100-year still water boundary (optional).  You can refine the 
shoreline location.
Use:  Can be used for large or small areas.
Outputs:  Discharge frequency curve, dune erosion, flood-prone areas, flood 
depth due to surge (done within HAZUS-MH), and refined loss estimates (see Job 
Aid 4-2).	

Hurricane
Inputs:  You may want to refine the surface roughness and vegetation (tree 
cover) maps, both of which are compiled at the Census tract level in the HAZUS-
MH provided data. If you improve these layers data (to the block level), you can 
take advantage of the models block-level aggregation level. You also will 
improve the inventory data to the extent feasible. 
Use:  Can be used for large or small areas; block-based analysis will slow your 
processing time, but is recommended when you need loss detail at that level.
Outputs:  Wind speed and refined loss estimates (see Job Aid 4-1).

OTHER HAZARDS
Third party models provided with HAZUS-MH or being considered to supplement 
HAZUS-MH can support the evaluation of other hazards.  For a Level 2 analysis, 
you will use updated inventory data.

See text under Level 1 for a brief description of the ALOHA and FLOODWAV models.


Level 3 Analysis - create a study region, refine HAZUS-MH provided data, adjust 
model parameters, select a scenario, run a scenario, and get results.

Earthquake, Flood (RIVERINE), FLOOD (Coastal), and Hurricane
Use:  A Level 3 analysis can be used to study mitigation alternatives, including 
benefit/cost analyses.  
Inputs:  Refined data and a strong understanding of each model are needed. In 
addition, experts that understand the hazard damage functions will be required.
Outputs:  Benefit/cost results and mitigation strategy-related loss estimates. 
	
OTHER HAZARDS
See text under Level 1 for a brief description of the ALOHA and FLOODWAV models.


Other Options  tools to assist your analyses and use of scenario data.

Earthquake--A HAZUS-MH Risk Assessment Tool (RAT) has been developed to support 
review of loss estimate outputs. The RAT is a third-party model that can be used 
after your scenarios are run. The tool supports the development of outputs that 
address the items recommended for inclusion in your risk assessment as part of 
DMA 2000. 	
Flood (RIVERINE)--A HAZUS-MH RAT has been developed to support review of loss 
estimate outputs (see earthquake description).  A Flood Wizard model has been 
developed as a third-party complement to HAZUS-MH.  The Flood Wizard provides 
county or regional flood results using DEM and flood polygon data. Also, the 
flood module of HAZUS-MH allows mitigation option analysis for the Level 1 and 2 
stages of analysis.  Options include levees, different first floor building 
elevations, and upstream storage measures (dams, retention ponds, and 
diversions). 	
FLOOD (Coastal)--A HAZUS-MH RAT has been developed to support review of loss 
estimate outputs (see earthquake description). A Flood Wizard model has been 
developed as a third-party complement to HAZUS-MH. The Flood Wizard provides 
county or regional flood results using DEM and flood polygon data. Also, the 
flood module of HAZUS-MH allows mitigation option analysis for options such as 
different first floor building elevations.	
Hurricane--A HAZUS-MH RAT has been developed to support the review of loss 
estimate outputs (see earthquake description). Also, the hurricane module 
supports mitigation analysis for simple mitigation options related to single- 
and multi-family dwellings.
OTHER HAZARDS--Other models are being considered for use in conjunction with 
HAZUS-MH. Also, the inventory data in HAZUS-MH can be overlain with a variety of 
hazard area maps to assess exposure (see also, Step 4., Estimate Losses).


Hazard Data Sources


Multiple--Various maps and hazard event data: A recommended first resource is 
http://www.hazardmaps.gov.  This web site is part of a FEMA multi-hazard mapping 
initiative.  The web site includes information for hazards indicated with an 
asterisk(*) below.

Earthquake--
Liquefaction Maps: State geological survey; USGS web site and offices; 
University of Washington Soil Liquefaction web site; and Association of Bay Area 
Governments Liquefaction Maps and Information 
Landslide Maps: http://landslides.usgs.gov/html_files/nlicsun.html (general 
information); 
http://landslides.usgs.gov/html_files/landslides/nationalmap/national.html; and 
state geological survey
Water Depth Maps: Local floodplain manager
Soil Maps: http://ngmdb.usgs.gov/ngmdb/ngm_catalog.ora.html 
(appropriate for identifying NEHRP soil types used in HAZUS-MH model)
General information on Earthquakes: USGS Earthquake Hazards Program web site; 
Seismo-Surfing Earthquake Information Links, by Pacific Northwest Seismograph 
Network web site;
National Geophysical Data Center (NOAA), including significant earthquake 
database web site; California Geological Survey Seismic Hazard Mapping Program 
web site; and FEMA National Earthquake Hazard Reduction Program (NEHRP) web site

Flood--
Digital Elevation Models: Recommended site: http://seamless.usgs.gov; other 
sites: 
http://rockyweb.cr.usgs.gov/elevation/dpi_dem.html (shows how to download DEM or 
order them from USGS by fax or phone); 
http://data.geocomm.com/catalog/RQ/group4.html
Q3, FIRM, DFIRM, or Floodway Maps showing flood polygons (for example, base 
flood zone): http://www.fema.gov/fhm/dfm_ovrw.shtm; 
digital Q3 floodplain data (where available) at http://www.hazardmaps.gov (shows 
DFIRM, Q3 availability as well); 
http://store.msc.fema.gov, or your local or state floodplain manager; and ESRI 
Hazard Mapping Tool web site
Base Flood Elevation: Can be read from FIRM panels where determined, and can be 
downloaded with the DFIRM where available; DFIRM coverage is summarized at 
http://www.hazardmaps.gov 
General information about flood hazards: NOAA Operational Significant Event 
Imagery Archive (National Geophysical Data Center); USGS Hazard Factsheets 
(Information Clearinghouse);
FEMA Hazards Compendium (Flood) National Flood Insurance Program; 
FEMA Flood Hazard Mapping Tool.

Avalanche--
Elevation Contour Maps: http://data.geocomm.com/dem/demdownload.html 
Information resources for avalanche hazard: U.S. Forest Service (USFS) National 
Avalanche Center American Avalanche Association (Avalanche Research) web site

Coastal Erosion--
Historic aerial photographs: http://edc.usgs.gov/index.html
USGS Center for Coastal Geology (Comparative Oblique Photos)
General information on coastal erosion:	FEMA Coastal Erosion Hazard 
Information; National Hurricane Center;
USGS Center for Coastal Geology.

Coastal Storm--Coastal Storm Maps and general information:
	http://www.noaa.gov/coasts.html; NOAA National Hurricane Center; 
USGS Hazard Factsheets (Information Clearinghouse and Hurricane Resources) web 
site.

Dam Failure--Inundation Maps and general information: Dam studies or local flood 
experts; FEMAs National Dam Safety Program web site.

Drought--Drought: http://www.drought.unl.edu/whatis/palmer/pdsihist.htm; 
http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/ for Climate Prediction Center;
Expert Assessments: United States Drought Assessment web site.

Extreme Heat--Maximum Temperature 
Maps:http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/analysis_monitoring/regional_monitori
ng/usa.html

Land Subsidence--Land Subsidence Maps:
	http://water.usgs.gov/ogw/subsidence.html;
NOAA Ocean and Coastal Hazards web site.

Landslide--Landslide Maps and general information:
	http://landslides.usgs.gov/html_files/nlicsun.html (general information); 
http://landslides.usgs.gov/html_files/landslides/nationalmap/national.html (map) 
and state geological survey;
USGS Hazards Factsheets (Multiple Hazards Information Clearinghouse) web site.

Severe Winter Storm--Winter Storm Maps and general information:
	http://www.gismaps.fema.gov/2003pages/lcurrent.shtm (disaster 
declarations); 
http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/analysis_monitoring/regional_monitoring/us
a.html (archive data); 
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/lzk/html/stormrep.htm (storms reported to NOAA); and 
NOAA Operational Significant Event Imagery Archive (National Geophysical Data 
Center) web site.

Tornado*--
Tornado Maps:	http://www.hazardmaps.gov/ (events); and ASCE 7 for design 
wind speeds http://www.strongtie.com/products/highwind/hw-design-wind-
speeds.html
General information on Tornadoes: FEMA Tornado Hazard Information web site; NOAA 
On-Line Tornado Information web site; and
National Weather Services Tornado Information web site

Tsunami*--Tsunami Maps and general 
information:http://www.usgs.gov/themes/coast.html; 
http://www.pmel.noaa.gov;
http://www.geophys.washington.edu;
Red Cross Information on Tsunamis web site; and
National Geophysical Data Center Information on Tsunamis web site

Volcano*--
Lava Flow Maps: Local emergency management personnel; and NOAA Operational 
Significant Event Imagery Archive (National Geophysical Data Center) web site
Volcanic Activity Maps:	http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/Hazards/Where/WhereHaz.html; 
and
NOAA Operational Significant Event Imagery Archive (National Geophysical Data 
Center) web site
General information on volcanic hazard:	Pacific Northwest Seismograph Network 
web site; and USGS Hazards Factsheets (Multiple Hazards Information 
Clearinghouse) web site

Wildfire-- 	
Fuel Maps: State or local fire and emergency management personnel; and USFS 
National Fire Danger Fuel ModelsLive Fuel Moisture Ratings web site
General information on Wildfire Hazards: NOAA Operational Significant Event 
Imagery Archive (National Geophysical Data Center); and U.S. Forest Service 
(USFS) Wildfire Assessment SystemFire Weather Analysis Page

Windstorm*--
Windstorm Maps: http://www.esri.com/hazards/makemap.html; and
High Winds information, including safety precautions and prediction tools
General information on Windstorm Hazards: National Weather Services National 
Hurricane Center (NOAA) web site;
National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center web site;
Hurricane Information and Awareness web site; and
Severe Thunderstorms Information and Event Index web site


Note: Information also may be available from other hazard sources. The table 
above provides a strong starting point for your hazard data needs, but web site 
addresses can change over time.  If you can not locate one of the above sites, 
you can search the internet using the hazard terms shown in columns 1 and 2 to 
locate particular information.  



Appendix E: Job Aids for Step 3

Table 3-1. Inventory Data Provided with HAZUS-MH

Four columns: Inventory Asset Category, Used for HAZUS-MH Model (that is in 
earthquake, flood, or hurricane), HAZUS-MH Provided Data Source (Year), and 
Examples of Potential Local Sources for Data
		

Inventory Asset Category: General Building Stock
HAZUS-MH data source: U.S. Census Bureau and Dun & Bradstreet (2000)
Potential sources for data: Tax assessors offices, zoning departments, regional 
and local planning commissions

Essential Facilities 
Medical Care
American Hospital Association (2000)
Electronic Yellow Pages, State EMA, LEPC

Emergency Response	
InfoUSA, Inc. (2001)	
State EMA, LEPC

Schools	
National Center for Education Statistics, Department of Education (2003)	
Board of Education, Electronic Yellow Pages

Fire Stations	
InfoUSA, Inc. (2001)	
State EMA, LEPC, Fire Chief

Police Stations	
InfoUSA, Inc. (2001)	
State EMA, LEPC, Police Commissioner

HazMat Facilities 
Toxic Release Inventory Database, EPA (1999)
State EMA, LEPC, Fire Department, State and local environmental organizations

High Potential Loss Facilities
Dams	
National Inventory of Dams, USACE (2003)
Local or regional authorities, State EMA, state and local planning department

Levees
N/A	
Local flood mitigation organizations, ASFPM

Nuclear Power Facilities	
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (2003)	
Not applicable

Military Installations	
N/A	
State Reserve Units (to supplement Federal data)

		
Transportation Systems
Highway Segments
Tiger/Line Files, U.S. Census Bureau (2000)	
State or local DOT, regional or local planning commissions

Highway Bridges	
National Bridge Inventory Database, FHWA (2001)	
State or local DOT, regional or local planning commissions

Highway Tunnels	
National Bridge Inventory Database, FHWA (2001)	
State or local DOT, regional or local planning commissions

Rail Segments	
National Rail Network Database, Bureau of Transportation Statistics (2000)	
State or local DOT, regional or local planning commissions

Rail Bridges	
National Bridge Inventory Database, FHWA (2001)	
State or local DOT, regional or local planning commissions

Rail Tunnels	
National Bridge Inventory Database, FHWA (2001)	
State or local DOT, regional or local planning commissions

Rail Facilities	
N/A	
State or local DOT, regional or local planning commissions

Light Rail Segments	
Fixed-Guideway Transit and Ferry Network Database, BOTS, U.S. DOT (2000)	
State or local DOT, regional or local planning commissions

Light Rail Bridges	
National Bridge Inventory Database, FHWA (2001)	
State or local DOT, regional or local planning commissions

Light Rail Tunnels
National Bridge Inventory Database, FHWA (2001)	
State or local DOT, regional or local planning commissions

Light Rail Facilities	
N/A	
State or local DOT, regional or local planning commissions

Bus
InfoUSA, Inc. (2001)	
State or local DOT, regional or local planning commissions, Electronic Yellow 
Pages

Port	
Port and Waterway Facilities Database, USACE (2000)	
State or local DOT, regional or local planning commissions

Ferry	
Port and Waterway Facilities Database, USACE (2000)	
State or local DOT, regional or local planning commissions, Electronic Yellow 
Pages

Airport Facilities	
BOTS, U.S. DOT (1999)	
State or local DOT, regional or local planning commissions, Electronic Yellow 
Pages

Airport Runways
BOTS, U.S. DOT (1999)	
State or local DOT, regional or local planning commissions

Utility Systems					
Potable Water Pipelines	
EPA Envirofacts Data Warehouse LRT Tool (2001)	
State or local water departments, private utilities, regional or local planning 
commissions

Potable Water Distribution Pipes (by Census tract)
EPA Envirofacts Data Warehouse LRT Tool (2001)	
State or local water departments, private utilities, regional or local planning 
commissions

Potable Water Network System Pumps	 	
EPA Envirofacts Data Warehouse LRT Tool (2001)	
State or local water departments, private utilities, regional or local planning 
commissions

Potable Water Control Vaults and Control Stations
EPA Envirofacts Data Warehouse LRT Tool (2001)	
State or local water departments, private utilities, regional or local planning 
commissions

Potable Water Network System Tanks	 
EPA Envirofacts Data Warehouse LRT Tool (2001)	
State or local water departments, private utilities, regional or local planning 
commissions

Potable Water Network System Wells	
EPA Envirofacts Data Warehouse LRT Tool (2001)	
State or local water departments, private utilities, regional or local planning 
commissions, well logs (local environmental agency water division)

Potable Water System Facilities	
EPA Envirofacts Data Warehouse LRT Tool (2001)	
State or local water departments, private utilities, regional or local planning 
commissions

Wastewater Pipelines	
EPA Envirofacts Data Warehouse LRT Tool (2001)	
State or local water departments, private utilities, regional or local planning 
commissions

Wastewater Distribution Sewers (by Census tract)
EPA Envirofacts Data Warehouse LRT Tool (2001)	
State, county, or local sewer commission/department

Wastewater Treatment Plants	 
EPA Envirofacts Data Warehouse LRT Tool (2001)	
State EMA

Wastewater Vaults and Control Stations	 
EPA Envirofacts Data Warehouse LRT Tool (2001)	
State EMA
Wastewater Lift Stations	 	
EPA Envirofacts Data Warehouse LRT Tool (2001)	
State EMA

Wastewater System Facilities	
EPA Envirofacts Data Warehouse LRT Tool (2001)	
State EMA
		
Crude and Refined Oil Pipelines	
EPA Envirofacts Data Warehouse LRT Tool (2001)	
State and local fire departments, environmental agencies, State EMA and LEPC, 
private companies

Oil Refineries	 	
State and local fire departments, environmental agencies, State EMA and LEPC, 
private companies

Oil Pumping Plants	 	
EPA Envirofacts Data Warehouse LRT Tool (2001)	
State and local fire departments, environmental agencies, State EMA and LEPC, 
private companies

Oil Tank Farm	 	
EPA Envirofacts Data Warehouse LRT Tool (2001)	
State and local fire departments, environmental agencies, State EMA and LEPC, 
private companies

Oil Control Vaults and Control Stations	 	
EPA Envirofacts Data Warehouse LRT Tool (2001)	
State and local fire departments, environmental agencies, State EMA and LEPC, 
private companies

Crude and Refined Oil Pipeline Facilities	
EPA Envirofacts Data Warehouse LRT Tool (2001)	
State and local fire departments, environmental agencies, State EMA and LEPC, 
private companies

Natural Gas Pipelines	
EPA Envirofacts Data Warehouse LRT Tool (2001)	
State and local fire departments, environmental agencies, State EMA and LEPC, 
private companies

Natural Gas Distribution Pipes (by Census tract)
EPA Envirofacts Data Warehouse LRT Tool (2001)	
State and local fire departments, environmental agencies, State EMA and LEPC, 
private companies

Natural Gas Compressor Plants	
EPA Envirofacts Data Warehouse LRT Tool (2001)	
State and local fire departments, environmental agencies, State EMA and LEPC, 
private companies

Natural Gas Control Vaults and Control Stations	 
EPA Envirofacts Data Warehouse LRT Tool (2001)	
State and local fire departments, environmental agencies, State EMA and LEPC, 
private companies

Natural Gas Facilities	
EPA Envirofacts Data Warehouse LRT Tool (2001)	
State and local fire departments, environmental agencies, State EMA and LEPC, 
private companies

Electric Power Plants	 	
EPA Envirofacts Data Warehouse LRT Tool (2001)	
State and local fire departments, environmental agencies, State EMA and LEPC, 
private companies

Electric Power Substations	 	
EPA Envirofacts Data Warehouse LRT Tool (2001)	State and local fire 
departments, environmental agencies, State EMA and LEPC, private companies

		
Electric Power	
EPA Envirofacts Data Warehouse LRT Tool (2001)	
State and local fire departments, environmental agencies, State EMA and LEPC, 
private companies

Communication Central Offices and Switching Stations	 
Broadcast Auxiliary Microwave File, FCC (2001)	
State and local fire departments, environmental agencies, State EMA and LEPC, 
private companies

Communication Vaults and Control Stations
Broadcast Auxiliary Microwave File, FCC (2001)	
State and local fire departments, environmental agencies, State EMA and LEPC, 
private companies

Communication Broadcast Facility	 	
Broadcast Auxiliary Microwave File, FCC (2001)	
Electronic Yellow Pages

Communications	
Broadcast Auxiliary Microwave File, FCC (2001)	
Electronic Yellow Pages

Demographics	
U.S. Census Bureau and Dun & Bradstreet (2000)	
Regional and local planning commissions, Tax assessors offices, zoning 
departments, regional and local planning commissions

Notes:					
EPA = U.S. Environmental Protection Agency	
State EMA = State Emergency Management Agency
FCC = U.S. Federal Communications Commission	
LEPC = Local Emergency Planning Committee
BOTS = Bureau of Transportation Statistics	
USACE = U.S. Army Corps of Engineers	
ASFPM = American Society of Floodplain Managers		
DOT= Department of Transportation		
FHWA = Federal Highway Administration		
LRT = Locational Reference Table		
		

Job Aid: 3-2: Inventory Data by Category with Data Fields
For example: 
Inventory category: Emergency Response
General fields: ID Number, Building Class, Tract, Name, Address, City, Zip Code, 
State, Contact, Phone Number, Year Built, Number of Stories, Replacement Cost, 
Backup Power, Shelter Capacity, Building Area, Kitchen, Latitude, Longitude, 
Comment 
Hazard-Specific Fields
For Earthquakes: Building Type, Building Quality, Design Level, Soil Type, 
Liquefaction Susceptibility, Landslide Susceptibility, Water Depth 
For Flood: Design Level, Foundation Type, First Floor Height, Building Damage 
Fnld, Content Damage Fnld, Flood Protection, BU Power
For Hurricane: Hurricane Building Type, Hurricane Scheme Name



Appendix F: Job Aid for Step 4

Job Aid 4-1. Earthquake Module Outputs for Risk Assessment 


Table title: Ground Motion/Site Effect Output

Input: Deterministic Event	
Description of Output: HAZUS-MH determines Census tract ground motion and 
develops region-wide ground motion contour maps based on a user-defined scenario 
event.	
Measure:
a. Census Tract Ground Shaking
b. Peak Ground Acceleration Contour Maps
c. Spectral Contour Maps

Input: USGS Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Maps	
Description of Output: HAZUS-MH includes spectral contour maps at two seismic 
hazard levels: 2 percent probability of exceedance in 50 years and 10 percent 
probability of exceedance in 50 years.
Measure:
a. PGA Contour Maps
b. Spectral Contour Maps

Input: User-Supplied Ground Shaking Maps
Output:	The user supplies region-wide ground motion contour maps that are 
used as the ground motion inputs to HAZUS-MH.
Measure:
a. Census Tract Ground Shaking
b. PGA Contour Mapsc. Spectral Contour Maps


Table title: Ground Deformation Output

Input: Liquefaction	
Output: HAZUS-MH determines the probability of and expected level of permanent 
ground deformations for liquefaction-susceptible sites during the deterministic, 
probabilistic, or user-defined event.
Measure:
a. Peak Ground Acceleration Contour Maps
b. Location-Specific PGD

Input: Landslide	
Output: HAZUS-MH determines the probability of and expected level of permanent 
ground deformations for landslide-susceptible sites during the deterministic, 
probabilistic, or user-defined event.
Measure:
a. PGD Contour Maps
b. Location-Specific PGD

Input: Surface Fault Rupture
Output:	HAZUS-MH determines the probability of an expected level of 
permanent ground deformations for surface fault rupture-susceptible sites during 
the deterministic, probabilistic, or user-defined event.	
Measure:
a. PGD Contour Maps
b. Location-Specific PGD


Table title: Indirect Economic Impact Module Output
Component: Economic Output	
Output: HAZUS-MH determines the indirect economic output loss as a percentage of 
the original output.	
Measure: Percentage

Component: Employment	
Output: HAZUS-MH determines the indirect employment loss as a percentage of the 
original employment.	
Measure: Percentage

Component: Income	
Output: HAZUS-MH determines the indirect income loss as a percentage of the 
original income.	
Measure: Percentage


Table title: Direct Physical Damage - General Building Stock
Input: Model Building Type	
Output: HAZUS-MH determines the damage state probabilities for each model 
building type by census tract in the study region. Results are presented for 
each design level and construction quality bias. Damage state probabilities are 
determined for (1) structural elements, (2) non-structural drift-sensitive 
elements, and (3) non-structural acceleration-sensitive elements.	
Measure:
a. Structural Damage State Probabilities
b. Non-structural Damage State Probabilities
c. Structural Damage State Building Counts

Input: General Building Type	
Output: HAZUS-MH determines the damage state probabilities for each of seven 
general building types by Census tract in the study region. Results are 
presented for each design level and construction quality bias. Damage state 
probabilities are determined for (1) structural elements, (2) non-structural 
drift-sensitive elements, and (3) non-structural acceleration-sensitive 
elements.	
Measure:
a. Structural Damage State Probabilities
b. Non-structural Damage State Probabilities
c. Structural Damage State Building Counts

Input: Specific Occupancy Class	
Output: HAZUS-MH determines the damage state probabilities for each of 28 
specific occupancy classes by Census tract in the study region. Results are 
presented for each construction quality bias. Damage state probabilities are 
determined for (1) structural elements, (2) non-structural drift-sensitive 
elements, and (3) non-structural acceleration-sensitive elements.	
Measure:
a. Structural Damage State Probabilities
b. Non-structural Damage State Probabilities
c. Structural Damage State Occupancy Counts

Input: General Occupancy Class	
Output: HAZUS-MH determines the damage state probabilities for each of six 
general occupancy classes by Census tract in the study region. Damage state 
probabilities are determined for (1) structural elements, (2) non-structural 
drift-sensitive elements, and (3) non-structural acceleration-sensitive 
elements.	
Measure: 
a. Structural Damage State Probabilities
b. Non-structural Damage State Probabilities
c. Structural Damage State Occupancy Counts


Table title: Direct Physical Damage - Essential Facilities

Facility Type: Health Care Facilities	
Output: HAZUS-MH determines the damage state probabilities for each health care 
facility in the study region. Damage state probabilities are determined for (1) 
structural elements, (2) non-structural drift-sensitive elements, and (3) non-
structural acceleration-sensitive elements.  The expected reduction in available 
beds for each facility is also determined.
Measures:
a. Structural Damage State Probabilities
b. Non-structural Damage State Probabilities
c. Loss of Beds and Facility Functionality

Facility type: Police and Fire Stations, Emergency Operation Centers, Schools	
Output: HAZUS-MH determines the damage state probabilities for each facility in 
the study region.  Damage state probabilities are determined for (1) structural 
elements, (2) non-structural drift-sensitive elements, and (3) non-structural 
acceleration-sensitive elements.	
Measure:
a. Structural Damage State Probabilities
b. Non-structural Damage State Probabilities
c. Functionality at Day 1


Table title: Direct Physical Damage - High Potential Loss Facilities (Provides 
placeholders for qualitative analyses.)

Component: Dams	
Output: HAZUS-MH provides the locations of dams in the study region.	Measure: 
List of and Locations of Dams

component: Nuclear Facilities	
Output: HAZUS-MH provides the locations of nuclear power facilities in the study 
region.	
Measure: List of and Locations of Nuclear Power Facilities

Component: Military Facilities	
Output: HAZUS-MH determines the damage state probabilities for each facility in 
the study region. Damage state probabilities are determined for (1) structural 
elements, (2) non-structural drift-sensitive elements, and (3) non-structural 
acceleration-sensitive elements.	
Measure:
a. Structural Damage State Probabilities
b. Non-structural Damage State Probabilities


Direct Physical Damage - Transportation Systems

System: Highway, Railway, Light Rail, Bus, Ferry, Port, Airport	
Output:
a. HAZUS-MH determines the damage state probabilities for each transportation 
system component in the study region.
b. HAZUS-MH determines the probability of functionality for each transportation 
system component at discrete time intervals.	
Measure: 
a. System Damage State Probabilities
b. Probability of System Functionality


Table title: Direct Physical Damage - Utility Systems
System: Potable Water	
Output: 
a. HAZUS-MH determines the damage state probabilities for each potable water 
system component in the study region.
b. HAZUS-MH determines the probability of functionality for each potable water 
system component at discrete time intervals.
c. HAZUS-MH supports simplified potable water system analysis for the study 
region.	
Measure:
a. System Damage State Probabilities
b. System Probability of Functionality
c. Number of Households without Water

System: Wastewater, Crude and Refined Natural Gas, Oil Pipelines, Communication
	
Output:
a. HAZUS-MH determines the damage state probabilities for each system component 
in the study region.
b. HAZUS-MH determines the probability of functionality for each system 
component at discrete time intervals.	
Measure:
a. System Damage State Probabilities
b. System Probability of Functionality 

System: Electric Power	
Output: a. HAZUS-MH determines the damage state probabilities for each electric 
power system component in the study region.
b. HAZUS-MH determines the probability of functionality for each electric power 
system component at discrete time intervals.
c. HAZUS-MH supports simplified electric power system analysis for the study 
region.	
Measure:
a. System Damage State Probabilities
b. System Probability of Functionality
c. Number of Households without Power


Table title: Indirect Physical Damage  Inundation

Component: Tsunami	
Output:
a. The methodology provides rules to determine whether tsunamis are a threat to 
the study region.
b. The user can import existing tsunami inundation maps and overlay them with 
population and economic value maps.
Measure:	a. Qualify Potential Threat
b. Exposed Population Exposed Value ($1,000)

Component: Seiche	
Output: 
a. The methodology provides rules to determine if seiches are a threat on any 
body of water in the study region.
b. The user can import existing seiche inundation maps and overlay them with 
population and economic value maps.	
Measure:
a. Qualify Potential Threat
b. Exposed Population Exposed Value ($)

Component: Dam Failure	
Output:
a. HAZUS-MH displays the locations of all dams in the study region and (for the 
default database) ranks the potential impact of the dam failure.
b. The user can import existing dam failure inundation maps and overlay with 
population and economic value maps.	
Measure:
a. List of and Locations of Dams and Quantification of Potential Hazard
b. Exposed Population Exposed Value ($)

Component: Levee Failure	
Output:
a. HAZUS-MH displays the locations of the levees in the study region.
b. The user can import existing levee failure inundation maps and overlay them 
with population and economic value maps.	
Measure:
a. List of and Locations of Levees
b. Exposed Population


Table title: Induced Physical Damage - Fire Following Earthquake 
Component: Ignition	
Output: HAZUS-MH determines the expected number of fire ignitions by census 
tract for the study region.	
Measure: Number of Ignitions

Component: Burned Area	
Output: 
a. HAZUS-MH determines the expected burned area by Census tract for the study 
region.
b. The expected burned area is combined with population and economic value to 
estimate the exposed population and inventory.	
Measure:
a. Percentage of Burned Area
b. Exposed Population Exposed Value ($)


Table title: Induced Physical Damage  Debris
Component: Brick, Wood, and Others	
output: HAZUS-MH determines the expected amount of brick, wood, and other debris 
that would be generated in each Census tract of the study region.	Measure: 
Weight of Debris Generated

Component: Reinforced Concrete and Steel	
Output: HAZUS-MH determines the expected amount of reinforced concrete and steel 
debris that would be generated in each Census tract of the study region.	
Measure: Weight of Debris Generated


Table title: Direct Economic and Social Losses - Shelter
Component: Displaced Households	
Output: HAZUS-MH determines the expected number of displaced households by 
Census tract for the study region.	
Measure: Number of Displaced Households

Component: Temporary Shelter	
Output: HAZUS-MH determines the expected number of people requiring temporary 
shelter by Census tract for the study region.	Measure: Number of People 
Requiring Temporary Shelter


Table title: Direct Economic and Social Losses - Casualties
Component: Casualties	
Output: HAZUS-MH determines the expected number of casualties for each level of 
casualty severity (medical aid, hospital treatment, life-threatening, death) by 
Census tract for the study region.	
Measure: Number of Casualties for Each of the Four Severities


Table title: Direct Economic Loss  Buildings
Component: Repair and Replacement Costs	
Output: HAZUS-MH determines the expected dollar loss due to repair and 
replacement of the general building stock by Census tract for the study region.
	
Measure: Dollar Loss

Component: Content Damage	
Output: HAZUS-MH determines the expected dollar loss due to content damage by 
Census tract for the study region.	
Measure: Dollar Loss

Component: Business Inventory Damage	
Output: HAZUS-MH determines the expected dollar loss due to business inventory 
damage by Census tract for the study region.	Measure: Dollar Loss

Component: Relocation Costs
Output: HAZUS-MH determines the expected dollar loss due to business relocation 
by Census tract for the study region.	
Measure: Dollar Loss

Component: Capital-Related Income Loss	
Output: HAZUS-MH determines the expected business income loss by Census tract 
for the study region.	
Measure: Dollar Loss

Component: Wage Loss	
Output: HAZUS-MH determines the expected wage loss by Census tract for the study 
region.	
Measure: Dollar Loss

Component: Rental Loss	
Output: HAZUS-MH determines the expected dollar loss due to repair and 
replacement of rental buildings by Census tract for the study region.	Measure: 
Dollar Loss


Table title: Direct Economic Loss - Lifelines

Component: Repair and Replacement Costs	
Output: The methodology determines the expected dollar loss due to repair and 
replacement of lifeline components.	Measure: Dollar Loss



JOB AID 4-2: COASTAL STORMS (HURRICANE) MODULE OUTPUTS FOR RISK ASSESSMENT

Table title: Wind Speed
Input: Return Period (50 years, 100 years, and so on)	
Output: HAZUS-MH estimates the maximum 3-second gusts in open terrain at 10 
meters above the ground at the centroid of each census tract.	
Measure: Peak Wind Gust 


Table title: Direct Physical Damage - General Building Stock

Input: Model Building Type	
Output: HAZUS-MH determines the damage state probability for each model building 
type by Census tract for the study region. Results are presented for each design 
level and construction quality bias. For probabilistic scenarios, one of seven 
return periods must be selected.	
Measure:
a.  Structural Damage State Probabilities
b. Non-structural Damage State Probabilities
c. Structural Damage State Building Counts

Input: General Building Type	
Output: HAZUS-MH determines the damage state probability for each general 
building type by Census tract for the study region. Results are presented for 
each design level and construction quality bias. For probabilistic scenarios, 
one of seven return periods must be selected.
Measure:	a. Structural Damage State Probabilities
b. Non-structural Damage State Probabilities
c. Structural Damage State Building Counts

Input: Specific Occupancy Class	
Output: HAZUS-MH determines the damage state probability for each specific 
occupancy class by Census tract for the study region. Results are presented for 
each construction quality bias. For probabilistic scenarios, one of seven return 
periods must be selected.	
Measure:
a. Structural Damage State Probabilities
b. Non-structural Damage State Probabilities
c. Structural Damage State Occupancy Counts

Input: General Occupancy Class	
Output: HAZUS-MH determines the damage state probability for each general 
occupancy class by Census tract for the study region. For probabilistic 
scenarios, one of seven return periods must be selected.	
Measure:
a. Structural Damage State Probabilities
b. Non-structural Damage State Probabilities
c. Structural Damage State Occupancy Counts


Table title: Direct Physical Damage - Essential Facilities

Facility Type: Health Care Facilities	
Output: HAZUS-MH determines the damage state probabilities for each health care 
facility in the study region.  For probabilistic scenarios, one of seven return 
periods must be selected.	
Measure: 
a. Structural Damage State Probabilities
b. Non-structural Damage State Probabilities
c. Loss of Beds and Facility Functionality

Facility: Police and Fire Stations, Emergency Operation Centers, Schools
	Output: HAZUS-MH determines the damage state probabilities for each 
facility in the study region. For probabilistic scenarios, one of seven return 
periods must be selected.	
Measure: 
a. Structural Damage State Probabilities
b. Non-structural Damage State Probabilities 
c. Functionality at Day 1


Table title: Induced Physical Damage - Debris

Component: Brick, Wood, and Others	
Output: HAZUS-MH determines the expected amount of brick, wood, and other debris 
that would be generated in each Census tract of the study region.	
Measure: Weight of Debris Generated

component: Reinforced Concrete and Steel
output: HAZUS-MH determines the expected amount of reinforced concrete and steel 
debris that would be generated in each Census tract of the study region.	
measure: Weight of Debris Generated

Component: Trees	
Output: HAZUS-MH determines the expected amount of tree debris that would be 
generated in each Census tract of the study region.	
measure: 
a. Weight of Debris Generated
b. Volume of Debris Generated


Table title: Direct Economic and Social Losses - Shelter

Component: Displaced Households
Output:	HAZUS-MH determines the expected number of displaced households by 
Census tract for the study region.	
Measure: Number of Displaced Households

Component: Temporary Shelter	
Output: HAZUS-MH determines the expected number of people requiring temporary 
shelter by Census tract for the study region.	Measure: Number of People 
Requiring Temporary Shelter


Table title: Direct Economic Loss - Buildings

Component:  Repair and Replacement Costs	
Output: HAZUS-MH determines the expected dollar loss due to repair and 
replacement of the general building stock by Census tract for the study region.
	
Measure: Dollar Loss

Component: Content Damage	
Output: HAZUS-MH determines the expected dollar loss due to content damage by 
Census tract for the study region.	
Measure: Dollar Loss

Component: Business Inventory Damage	
Output: HAZUS-MH determines the expected dollar loss due to business inventory 
damage by Census tract for the study region.	Measure: Dollar Loss

Component: Relocation Costs	
Output: HAZUS-MH determines the expected dollar loss due to business relocation 
by Census tract for the study region.	
Measure: Dollar Loss

Component: Capital-Related Income Loss	
Output: HAZUS-MH determines the expected business income loss by Census tract 
for the study region.	
Measure: Dollar Loss

Component: Wage Loss	
Output: HAZUS-MH determines the expected wage loss by Census tract for the study 
region.	
Measure: Dollar Loss

Component: Rental Loss	
Output: HAZUS-MH determines the expected dollar loss due to repair and 
replacement of rental buildings by Census tract for the study region.	Measure: 
Dollar Loss


Table title: Indirect Economic Impact Module Output

Component: Economic Output	
Output: HAZUS-MH determines the indirect output loss as a percentage of the 
original output.	
Measure: Percentage

Component: Employment	
Output: HAZUS-MH determines the indirect employment loss as a percentage of the 
original employment.	
Measure: Percentage


Table title: Indirect Economic Impact Module Output

Component: Economic Output	
Output: HAZUS-MH determines the indirect output loss as a percentage of the 
original output.	
Measure: Percentage

Component: Employment	
Output: HAZUS-MH determines the indirect employment loss as a percentage of the 
original employment.	
Measure: Percentage


Table title: Flood Depth Output

Input: Riverine Event	
Output: For a riverine flood, HAZUS-MH determines the depth of the flood and 
creates a flood depth grid map of the flooded area within the study region. 	
Measure:
a. Flood Elevations
b. Flood Depth Grid 

Input: Coastal Event	
Output: For a coastal flood, HAZUS-MH determines the ground surface area 
subjected to erosion; the flood surface, including wave heights; and the depth 
of the coastal flooding.	
Measure:
a. Eroded Ground Surface
b. Flood Surface Considering Wave Height and Runup
c. Flood Depth


Table title: Direct Physical Damage - General Building Stock

Input: Model Building Type	
output: HAZUS-MH determines the damage state probability for each model building 
type by Census tract for the study region. Results are presented for each design 
level and construction quality bias. For probabilistic scenarios, one of seven 
return periods must be selected.	
Measure
a. Structural Damage State Probabilities
b. Non-structural Damage State Probabilities
c. Structural Damage State Building Counts

Input: General Building Type	
Output: HAZUS-MH determines the damage state probability for each general 
building type by Census tract for the study region. Results are presented for 
each design level and construction quality bias. For probabilistic scenarios, 
one of seven return periods must be selected.	
Measure:
a. Structural Damage State Probabilities
b. Non-structural Damage State Probabilities
c. Structural Damage State Building Counts

Input: Specific Occupancy Class	
Output: HAZUS-MH determines the damage state probability for each specific 
occupancy class by Census tract for the study region. Results are presented for 
each construction quality bias. For probabilistic scenarios, one of seven return 
periods must be selected.	
Measure:
a. Structural Damage State Probabilities
b. Non-structural Damage State Probabilities
c. Structural Damage State Occupancy Counts

Input: General Occupancy Class	
Output: HAZUS-MH determines the damage state probability for each general 
occupancy Class by Census tract for the study region. For probabilistic 
scenarios, one of seven return periods must be selected.	
Measure:
a. Structural Damage State Probabilities
b. Non-structural Damage State Probabilities
c. Structural Damage State Occupancy Counts


Table title: Direct Economic Loss  Buildings

Component: Repair and Replacement Costs	
Output: HAZUS-MH determines the expected dollar loss due to repair and 
replacement of the general building stock by Census tract for the study region.
	
Output: Dollar Loss

Component: Content Damage	
Output: HAZUS-MH determines the expected dollar loss due to content damage by 
Census tract for the study region.	
Measure: Dollar Loss

Component: Business Inventory Damage	
Output: HAZUS-MH determines the expected dollar loss due to business inventory 
damage by Census tract for the study region.	Measure: Dollar Loss

Component: Relocation Costs	
Output: HAZUS-MH determines the expected dollar loss due to business relocation 
by Census tract for the study region.	
Measure: Dollar Loss

Component: Capital-Related Income Loss	
Output: HAZUS-MH determines the expected business income loss by Census tract 
for the study region.	
Measure: Dollar Loss

Component: Wage Loss	
Output: HAZUS-MH determines the expected wage loss by Census tract for the study 
region.	
Measure: Dollar Loss

Component: Rental Loss	
Output: HAZUS-MH determines the expected dollar loss due to repair and 
replacement of rental buildings by Census tract for the study region.	Measure: 
Dollar Loss


Table title: Direct Physical Damage - Essential Facilities

Facility Type: Police and Fire Stations, Emergency Operation Centers, Schools, 
Health Care Facilities	
Output: HAZUS-MH determines the damage state probabilities for each essential 
facility in the study region.  The building and content losses are calculated, 
the functionality is determined, and the time to restore the facility to 100 
percent functionality is determined for each essential facility.	
Measure:
a. Building and Content Losses
b. Functionality Assessment (yes/no)
c. Restoration Time to 100 Percent Functionality


Table title: Direct Physical Damage - Transportation Systems

System: Highway, Light Rail, Railway, Bus, Ferry, Port, Airport	
Output:
a. HAZUS-MH determines the damage state probability for each transportation 
system component in the study region.
b. HAZUS-MH determines the probability of functionality for each transportation 
system component at discrete time intervals.	
Measure:
a. Structure and Equipment Losses
b. Functionality Assessment (yes/no)


Title: Direct Physical Damage - Utility Systems

System: Potable Water, Wastewater, Crude and Refined Oil Pipelines, Natural Gas, 
Communication, Electric Power	
Output: 
a. HAZUS-MH determines the structural and equipment losses.
b. HAZUS-MH determines whether the utility will be functional.	
Measure:
a. Structure and Equipment Losses
b. Functionality Assessment (yes/no)


Table title: Direct Economic and Social Losses  Shelter

Component: Displaced Households	
Output: HAZUS-MH determines the expected number of displaced households by 
Census tract for the study region.	
Measure: Number of Displaced Households

Component: Temporary Shelter	
Output: HAZUS-MH determines the expected number of people requiring temporary 
shelter by Census tract for the study region.	Measure: Number of People 
Requiring Temporary Shelter


Table title: Direct Economic and Social Losses  Vehicles
Component: Vehicles	
Output: HAZUS-MH determines the expected damage to the vehicles in the study 
region.	
Measure: Vehicle Losses

         
Table title: Direct Economic and Social Losses - Agricultural
Component: Agriculture	
Output: HAZUS-MH determines the expected damage to the agriculture in the study 
region.	
Measure: Crop Losses


Table title: Indirect Economic Impact Module Output

Component: Employment	
Output: HAZUS-MH determines the indirect employment loss as a percentage of the 
original employment by market sector (agriculture, mining, construction, 
manufacturing, transportation, trade, services, government, and miscellaneous).
	
Measure: 
a. Percentage with Aid
b. Percentage without Aid

Component: Income	
Output: HAZUS-MH determines the indirect income loss as a percentage of the 
original income by market sector (agriculture, mining, construction, 
manufacturing, transportation, trade, services, government, and miscellaneous).
	
Measure: 
a. Percentage with Aid
b. Percentage without Aid


Job Aid 4-4. Mitigation Wizard Figures and Tables

Mitigation Wizard Figures and Tables 
Figure 1: County Map 
Figure 2: Probabilistic Hazard Maps 
Table 1: Building Inventory by General Occupancy 
Table 2: Building Inventory by General Building Type 
Figure 3: Historical Hazard Events 
Table 3: Transportation System Lifeline Inventory 
Table 4: Utility System Lifeline Inventory 
Table 5: Essential Facility Inventory 
Figure 6: Map of Schools 
Table 6: Population by Age and Gender 
Table 7: Population by Ethnicity 
Table 8: Household Distribution by Annual Income 
Table 9: Household Distribution by Residence Type 
Figure 7: Population Density Map 
Figure 8: Hazardous Material Facilities 
Figure 9: Dams 
Table 10: Building Damage by General Occupancy 
Table 11: Building Damage by Building Type 
Table 12: Economic Loss by General Occupancy 
Table 13: Transportation System Lifeline Losses 
Table 14: Utility System Lifeline Losses 
Table 15: Building Damage for Essential Facilities 
Table 16: Casualty Estimates 



Appendix G: Job Aids for Step 5

Job Aid 5-1: Conflicts and resolutions tool

Job Aid 5-1 provides information to help you to consider the possible synergy 
between mitigation options across hazards, as well as potential conflicts for 
the particular combination of hazards that you face. It is intended to provoke 
thought and design integration, but does not provide absolute restrictions or 
recommendations. In general, reinforcement between hazards may be gained, and 
undesirable conditions and conflicts can be resolved, by coordinating mitigation 
measures and consulting your community experts. You are encouraged to use the 
list as a basis for discussion relative to specific projects and to structure 
the evaluation of the benefits and conflicts of multi-hazard design depending on 
local hazards.  The vertical columns show the three primary hazards. Columns are 
also included for the blast and fire hazards as these hazards also have 
pertinence for structural mitigation. The horizontal rows show methods of 
protection for the building systems and components that have significant 
interaction, either desirable (reinforcing) or undesirable (conflicting). 

Table title: Building System Protection Methods: Reinforcements and Conflicts


Job Aid 5-2. Summary of DMA Requirements and HAZUS-MH Support

Table description: three columns with the following titles: Step and related DMA 
2000 requirements; outputs from HAZUS-MH, How-to guide, and the Risk Assessment 
Tool; and application to Mitigation Plan.