**GAO-07-403**                      Published: Aug 22, 2007. Publicly Released: Sep 24, 2007.                  

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## Highlights

The nation has experienced vast losses from natural hazards. The potential for future events, such as earthquakes and hurricanes, demonstrates the importance of hazard mitigation--actions that reduce the long-term risks to life and property from natural hazard events. GAO was asked to examine (1) natural hazards that present a risk to life and property in the United States, areas that are most susceptible to them, factors that may be increasing these risks, and mitigation activities that reduce losses; (2) methods for encouraging and impediments to implementing mitigation activities; and (3) collaborative efforts of federal agencies and other stakeholders to promote mitigation. To address these objectives, GAO collected and analyzed hazard data, reviewed population information, conducted site visits to locations with comprehensive mitigation programs, and collected information from relevant agencies and officials.

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## Topics

Economic Development

Building codesDisaster planningEarthquakesstate relationsFlood insuranceHurricanesInteragency relationsLocal governmentsLossesNatural disastersPopulation growthPropertyRisk assessmentRisk managementStrategic planningTornadoesWildfiresDisaster mitigationProgram goals or objectivesProgram implementation