Demographics, Density Disasters “Floods are ‘Acts of God,’ but flood losses are largely acts of man.” – Gilbert White & Jo Ann Howard, President, H2O Partners, Inc.

million million million million U.S. population increased by 8% from 2000 to 2008 U.S. population

Texas population Increased by nearly 2 times the national growth rate

Texas population Increased by nearly 2 times the national growth rate Texas also led in terms of numerical growth, increasing by more nearly 3.5 million between 2000 and 2008.

# million Texas population Increased by nearly 2 times the national growth rate Texas also led in terms of numerical growth, increasing by more nearly 3.5 million between 2000 and % + 3.3% #1 fastest growing +16.7% to 24.3 million 2000 to 2008

Diversity By 2023 More than one-half of those under 18 years of age will be non-Anglos. By 2042 The US population is projected to be less than one-half Anglo.

By 2050, roughly 30% of the US population will be Hispanic, only slightly less than the percentage in Texas in 2000.

Diversity By 2030, roughly 20% of the US population will be 65 years of age or older, up from about 12%in

Increase in the number of household couples, despite a decrease in household size. Households are growing in number, but the size of the family is decreasing. Housing

More than half of Americans live within 50 miles of the Atlantic, Pacific, Gulf and Great Lakes on 1/5 of our land area. By 2025, this number is expected to increase to 75 percent. Density

Texas, which leads the nation in population growth, had the highest number of Presidential Disaster Declarations from 1953 to 2009.

States with high vulnerability for flooding are those with floods in most years with damages exceeding about $8 million dollars in the majority of years. Flood Risk by State (2009)

Flood damage over $100 million dollars occurs frequently in California, Missouri and Texas, and states with the highest flood losses include Texas, Louisiana and Florida * Flood Safety Education Program, U.S. Flood Insurance Loss Statistics (Jan. 1, 1978 – Sept. 30, 2001)*

Socioeconomic trends, not climate change, will continue to drive increasing disaster losses * Wharton Risk Management and Decision Processes Center Increase in Disaster Cost * Flood damage will continue to rise with the nation’s growing population and wealth unless actions are taken to reduce vulnerability

Suggested Future Research  Target information and assistance for the most cost-effective pre- and post- disaster activities.  More in-depth analysis of trends using 2010 census data  Compare population concentration for exposure to natural disasters and develop methods of slowing the economic effects of higher concentration and density  Develop and provide communication of natural hazard risks  Develop a baseline standard of acceptable disaster vulnerability to serve as a basis for an action plan

ISO —you deserve applause for your work in assessing risks, mitigating risks and reducing risk across the country. Jo Ann Howard, President, H2O Partners, Inc. Demographics, Density & Disasters