Abstract
Using GIS and FEMA's HAZUS-MH Program to Measure Losses Avoided Track: Disaster Management and Emergency Response Author(s): Doug Bausch, Rich Chamberlain Demonstrating the cost-effectiveness of mitigation in reducing disaster losses is critical to the continued success of FEMA mitigation programs. A recent report commissioned by Congress determined that for each dollar spent on mitigation activities, four dollars were saved in future losses. This is the 10 year anniversary of the 1997 Grand Forks Flood Disaster that had $3.7 billion in total losses, compared to $6.5 million damages in 2006. Remarkably, the 2006 flooding matched the 1997 flood heights in some places and is generally considered the 3rd highest in the historical record. FEMA, State and local jurisdictions have completed hundreds of mitigation projects since the 1997 Red River flooding. This study included analysis of acquisition projects in five North Dakota counties. We determined the depth of flooding using high resolution DEM data and high water marks at several hundred FEMA acquisition projects. Potential losses avoided were measured using the HAZUS flood model. Doug Bausch FEMA Region VIII Mitigation Denver Federal Center, Bldg. 710 Denver , CO 80225 US Phone: 303 235-4859 E-mail: Douglas.Bausch@dhs.gov Rich Chamberlain URS Corporation - Denver Tech Center Office Information Management Solutions Group 8181 E. Tufts Ave Denver , CO 80237 US Phone: (303) 740-2613 E-mail: rich_chamberlain@urscorp.com |
|||||
