Developing an online South Carolina atlas of environmental risks and hazards Sarah E Battersby Jerry T Mitchell Susan L Cutter Department of Geography Hazards and Vulnerability Research Institute University of South Carolina

Outline What is the Atlas? Purpose, Audience, Limitations Some design considerations ▫Software ▫Data ▫Users / creators Extending the project

What is the atlas, why update? Update of CD version of the Atlas (1999)

Sample atlas content

Purpose of a hazards atlas Weekly hazards cost in US: US$1 billion Help minimize loss of property and lives with better hazards awareness Integration in children’s education is seen as an effective method of publicizing hazards awareness programs Can be used both for K-12 and general public outreach

Goals & Audience Atlas content ▫Improve hazards education ▫Align with state education standards (~8 th grade) ▫Provide materials for teachers Atlas in general ▫Methods and design that can be reproduced in other states / Geographic Alliances

Limitations Design ▫Online / offline access ▫Range of computer skills for users ▫Limited technical skill to create / maintain ▫Inexpensive and easy! Data ▫Expandable to all of US ▫Free, easy to obtain and process

Primary data sources SHELDUS ▫Spatial Hazard Events and Losses Database for US ▫County-level ▫18 natural hazard types USGS ▫Earthquakes NOAA ▫Assorted climate data

Software Considered many options ▫ESRI web mapping application ▫SVG (MapView SVG) ▫Flash Limited needs for “GIS tools” Simple interface for design / use On- and off-line use

Future work Guides for Geographic Alliances Adding more educational materials Designing new tools??? ▫E.g., Map comparison tools Tornado damage Hurricane damage

Questions Data Software Curriculum materials Creating hazards atlas for your Geographic Alliance Sarah Battersby: