Coastal Services Center

Hazard Assessment Tool

Build It for Your Community

A Hazard Assessment Tool is an easy-to-use Internet mapping application that helps users identify the potential hazards that affect a location.

This tool uses geospatial hazards data and supporting base data, such as parcels and roads. Users search for a specific location via address, owner name, or simply by clicking in the map. Once a location has been selected, the tool queries the hazards data to determine the hazards zone(s) for the location. Supporting information is included with the query results to put the hazards information in proper context. This functionality is available in template form and can be set up for any location with the required data and resources.

Who Uses This Tool?

• Planning and permitting departments
• Residents applying for building permits
• Hazard mitigation officials
• Natural resource planners

What Does It Take to Build the Tool?

• Expertise – Geographic information system (GIS) staff who can manipulate data and set up Internet mapping tools
• Data – GIS data such as hazards zones and infrastructure
• System – Internet mapping server

Benefits of Setting Up the Tool ?

• Improves access to hazards information
• Streamlines hazard identification process for planning, permitting, etc.
• Saves staff time and money
• Builds GIS capacity - a great way to get started with Internet mapping.

Get the Tool Template
The template used to build a Hazard Assessment Tool is available free of charge by e-mailing csc.hat@noaa.gov. This tool was developed for coastal governmental organizations. Please note that the Center can provide technical expertise regarding the development of the tool for various organizations. These organizations are responsible for creating or obtaining the needed data, coding, software, and hardware.

Beyond Hazards
While the tool was designed to relay hazard information, it can be adapted to issues not directly related to hazards. The basic process flow is to search a specific site, identify pertinent information, and relay the results. The NOAA Coastal Services Center, the tool developer, would like to talk to organizations interested in expanding its use.