1. What is HAZUS-MH? HAZUS-MH is a planning tool that estimates
damage and losses resulting from natural hazards
It is an estimation tool, NOT a deterministic tool
It is a planning tool, NOT an engineering tool
Engineering-level data (i.e. Hydrology & Hydraulic studies) can be input to increase accuracy, but results still produce planning-level estimations
It also assesses population needs related to emergency management
It also allows users to compare results from different study case scenarios, including mitigation actions
HAZUS-MH is an empirical model based on observation and experiment

2. Local Hydrology & Hydraulic Studies
Texas Hazard
Mitigation Package
(THMP)
Identification Tool
HAZUS
Loss Estimation Tool
Local Hydrology & Hydraulic Studies
H & H specific
applications
Engineering Tools
& Data
Easy to Use
(less expensive)
All 3 serve a different, yet related, purpose
All 3 can be used together to accomplish objectives
H & H
Highly Accurate
(more expensive)

3. HAZUS-MH: Family of Products
Models
HAZUS-MH is a multi-hazard (MH) application
Flood, Hurricane (Wind), Earthquake
Data Integration Tools
Inventory Collection And Survey Tool (InCAST)
Building Import Tool (BIT)
* Flood Information Tool (FIT)
Linkage to 3rd-party Models
Areal Locations of Hazardous Atmospheres (ALOHA)
Flood Waves (FLDWAV)

4. HAZUS-MH: Technical Components
Software: Custom GIS (geographic information system)
Runs on ESRI products; ArcGIS and Spatial Analyst
ESRI products must be acquired separately
Spatial Analyst required for Flood Model only
HAZUS-MH is free from FEMA <
Current HAZUS-MH version (MR1) runs on ArcView 9.0
Data: National data sets
Inventory of assets (buildings, infrastructure, population/demographics, etc.)
Users may modify data sets or model factors
Users may add their own data
Project team:
Sponsored by FEMA
Management by the National Institute of Building Sciences
Technical oversight by Committees for earthquake, wind, flood and software
Technical development and testing by consultants
User involvement throughout development

5. ArcGIS / ArcView & Spatial Analyst

6. HAZUS-MH: Technical Notes
Operating System Requirements
Windows XP SP1
Windows 2000 SP1 – SP4
GIS Requirements
ArcGIS 9.0, SP1
Spatial Analyst extension (Flood Model only)

7. HAZUS-MH: Technical Requirements
From FEMA Web Site
ArcGIS and HAZUS require significant computing power and resources
(Computer hard disk space varies per dramatically per User)

8. HAZUS-MH: Methodology
5. Estimate Losses/Needs
4. Estimate Damage
3. Overlay Inventory
2. Define Flood Hazard
1. Define the Geographic Area for Analysis

9. HAZUS-MH: Models FLOOD HURRICANE EARTHQUAKE
[Bottom-Up] …Natural Earth; w/ Flood Hazard; Overlay Inventory; Determine Damage; Estimate Losses
FLOOD
HURRICANE
EARTHQUAKE

10. HAZUS-MH: Methodology
MODEL
Flood
Hurricane/Wind
Earthquake
Hazard
RESULTS
ANALYSIS
Direct Loss
Economic
Business
Interruption
Shelter
Social
Casualties
Inventory
Building Stock
Essential Facilities
High Potential Loss Facilities
Transportation
Utilities
Hazardous Materials
Demographics/Population
Agricultural Products
Vehicles
PARAMETERS & SCHEMES
Loss
Estimation
Damage Assessment
Essential
Facilities
Emergency
Response
Functionality
Transportation
Utilities
Water
Power
System
Performance
Transportation

11. HAZUS-MH Methodology FLOOD HAZARD INVENTORY DIRECT DAMAGE
Frequency
Discharge
Depth/Elevation
Velocity
Duration
Buildings
Infrastructure
Population
Land Use
DIRECT DAMAGE
INDUCED DAMAGE
General Building Stock
Essential Facilities
High Potential Loss Facilities
Transportation Facilities
Lifelines
Fire Following Flood
Hazardous Materials Release
Debris Generation
DIRECT LOSSES
INDIRECT LOSSES
Cost of Repairs/Replacement
Income Loss
Crop Damage
Casualties
Shelter and Recovery Needs
Supply Shortages
Sales Decline
Opportunity Costs
Economic Loss

12. HAZUS-MH: Levels of Analysis
Link HAZUS with Hydraulic Model
Community-specific Damage Functions
Damage
Flood Depth
Level 3
Expert Supplied Data
Modify Building Inventory
FIT (add local H & H)
Level 2
(most users)
User Modified
Data
Level 1
Default Databases
Level 1

13. Applications in Mitigation Planning & Emergency Management
Emergency Preparedness
Response & Recovery
HAZUS-MH
Loss Reduction
(Mitigation)

14. HAZUS Applications: Emergency Preparedness
Develop emergency response plans
Temporary housing
Debris removal
Emergency power and water
Emergency medical services
Evacuation/emergency route clearance
Organize response exercises

15. HAZUS Applications: Mitigation
Mitigation Assessment
Identify ‘at-risk’ communities
Mitigation Measures
Strengthen existing structures
Strengthen window/door openings and siding
Mitigation Programs
Adopt and enforce hazard-resistant building codes
Land use planning

16. HAZUS Applications: Response and Recovery
Post-disaster damage assessment and ground- truthing
Response planning for critical transportation outages
Identify critical infrastructure
Recovery action planning
Long-term economic recovery planning

17. HAZUS-MH allows user to:
Benefit Summary
HAZUS-MH allows user to:
IDENTIFY vulnerable areas that may require planning considerations
ASSESS level of readiness and preparedness to deal with a disaster before disaster occurs
ESTIMATE potential losses from specific hazard events (before or after a disaster hits)
DECIDE on how to allocate resources for most effective and efficient response and recovery
PRIORITIZE mitigation measures that need to be implemented to reduce future losses (what if)

18. FEMA: Ordering HAZUS www.fema.gov/hazus HAZUS-MH Overview
Brochures/Materials
Order Information
Application Case Studies
National Conference Info
FEMA/EMI Training Schedule
General Contact Info
Technical Support/FAQ’s

19. Final Step: Run Analysis & View Results
Flood Hazard Model
Initial Step: Create/Open Study Region
RIVERINE
2. Generate
Stream
Network
4. Run Hydrology
1.Define Topography
5. Compute
Hazard
3. Define Study Case
Enter
100-yr Elevation
Segment Shoreline
COASTAL
Final Step: Run Analysis & View Results

20. Initial Step: Create a Study Region

21. Inventory
Square Footage

22. Inventory
Dollar Exposure

23. Flood Hazard HAZUS computes: Floodplain Boundary *Flood Depth Grid*
Flood Water
Elevation
Normal Water Elevation
(main channel)
Flood Water Elevation
Ground Elevation
= Flood Depth
Vertical Datum: Sea Level

24. 1. Define Topography

25. 2. Generate Stream Network

26. 3. Select a Study Case

27. 4. Run Hydrology

28. 5. Compute Hazard (Run Hydraulics)

29. Final Step: Run Analysis

30. View Results
by Results Table

31. View Results
by Map

32. View Results by Attribute Table
REMEMBER! units are in thousands of dollars (derived from HAZUS Tables)

33. View Results
by Summary Report