Buildings designed and constructed using these mitigation techniques can be expected to reduce life loss, injuries, and property damage when a natural hazard strikes. For an individual building owner, this should reduce the cost of repairs and minimize the amount of time that the building cannot be used. For a community, this should reduce the costs of emergency response and recovery, keep essential facilities operational, and lower the cost of replacing public buildings. The possibility of costly litigation concerning liability for the effects of natural hazards most likely would be reduced for all those involved in the building process. Use of these mitigation techniques in the design and construction process may increase costs but far less than many people think.
Most studies indicate that the additional cost is usually ranges from three to five percent.
To accomplish this, FEMA has a long history of working with the design and engineering communities and the nation's model code organizations to encourage the use of design criteria, standards, and codes that reduce the potential for loss from a natural hazard. This work has taken several forms. With regard to the wind hazard, there is no specific government program or guidance since this is primarily addressed by private concerns, such as the American Society of Civil Engineers and their ASCE 7 Minimum Design Loads Standard. FEMA is committed to helping designers and contractors identify and minimize the effects of natural hazards. FEMA has available numerous manuals that can provide technical guidance on how buildings can be designed and constructed to withstand the effects of natural hazards.