This page discusses FEMA's Hazus program and usage for mitigation, planning, response and recovery efforts. This page is intended for Hazus software users and emergency management professionals.
FEMA’s Methodology for Estimating Potential Losses from Disasters
Hazus produces loss estimates based on state-of-the-art scientific and engineering knowledge and software architecture. These estimates are essential for decision-making at all levels of government and are a basis for developing mitigation plans and policies, emergency preparedness and response, and recovery planning.
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Preparedness and Response
Hazus is highly sensitive to hazard input. Priority needs to be given to procedures for obtaining the most accurate hazard data from the National Hurricane Center and other sources.
- Priority needs to be given to pre-disaster coordination and training with Emergency Support Function personnel to ensure that Hazus analyses is understood and properly used in future disaster operations.
- It is important to have sufficient Hazus trained staff to maintain 24 hour operations.
- There are multiple opportunities to enhance the Hazus inventory with user supplied data. Priority should be given to: Shelter, Hospitals and other Essential Facilities and Manufactured Housing.
- Future Hazus validation studies should give priority to comparing predicted damage and loss of function to essential facilities and observed damage. This will bolster confidence in the use of Hazus analyses for future disaster operations.
Which essential facilities in your region may be impacted by an earthquake? Will the local hospitals be functional three days after a hurricane? What routes should emergency vehicles travel to avoid flood waters? The Hazus Preparedness and Response Planning flyer can help you find the answers. Hazus is a modeling tool that provides data to strengthen preparedness and response capabilities by assessing risk and forecasting losses.
Mitigation and Recovery
During the past decade, Hazus has evolved into a powerful tool for mitigation and recovery planning and analysis. Read about projects and studies where Hazus has been successfully implemented.