Benjamin F. Bobzien Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Robert Berry Western Carolina University Research Project

Introduction Benjamin F. Bobzien Father Husband Fire Captain Student

Fiscal Impact of Disasters Fiscal Impact Response and Recovery Increase in Financial Need Amount of Disasters Population Increase High Hazard Area Development What Can Be Done to Reduce Fiscal Impact?

Natural Hazard Mitigation Defined Who can perform NHM? Governments/Private Organizations Individuals Homeowners Business-owners

Methodology of Research What was learned through the research of NHM? Information was broad Two common pieces of information Must determine the cost/effectiveness of the project Must determine the benefits though a Benefit/Cost Analysis Cost associated with the projects Direct Costs Indirect Costs Funding Opportunities

Cost-Effective Analysis Early Determination Robert T. Stafford Act Disaster Declarations Hazard Mitigation Federal Funding Options Stewards of Tax Dollars

Cost-Effective Analysis Which Projects are Chosen? Benefits>Costs Difference Between Cost-Effective Analysis and Benefit/Cost Analysis Qualitative/Quantitative

Benefit/Cost Analysis Required by the Stafford Act Will the benefits exceed the project’s cost (monetary)? Costs and benefits in dollar amounts Ratio >1 means benefits exceed the costs >1 eligible for federal funding

Benefits of Mitigation Reduction or elimination of effects of disasters Fewer deaths and injuries Fewer properties damaged or lost Reduced personnel costs relating to disaster response Less impediment of commerce Saving historic structures Protecting infrastructure

Cost of Mitigation Costs are determined in the planning phase Direct Costs Project Development Labor Construction materials Equipment Sub-Contractors Demolition/debris removal May require the use of public or private funding

Cost of Mitigation Indirect Costs Operation Maintenance Management Re-evaluation Simple/Low Cost Projects Clearing debris/creating defensible spaces Initiating new codes and ordinances Minor adjustments to existing structures Federal funding options available

Federal Funding Options Programs and grants to offset the monetary burden Programs include: Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program Flood Mitigation Assistance Program Repetitive Flood Claims Program Severe Repetitive Loss Program Detailed view of the programs

Cost Sharing Common with all hazard mitigation programs Shared between federal and non-federal funding Shared funds must be applied to specific and approved items Non-federal costs should be reasonable and necessary Most call for 75% federal/25% non-federal match FEMA reserves the right to adjust the percentages

Failure to Mitigate Setting up for higher risks and the effects of disasters Lives are lost Injuries are frequent Buildings are damaged and destroyed Infrastructure is damaged

Failure to Mitigate Commerce is delayed Very high cost for response and recovery Distress and psychological impacts Loss of jobs Outward migration of the population

Current Mitigation Projects Carolina Beach, NC Awarded $1,074, from FEMA 100% federally funded, no matching Used to raise 7 homes in a 100-year flood plain Previous Grants 1996 HMGP after Hurricane Fran 2008 Severe Repetitive Loss Program

Conclusion

Works Cited