a comprehensive plan (Godschalk e.a. 2003). Local governments can apply for funding of their
mitigation planning efforts (FEMA 1997).
HAZUS
Local governments frequently economized on the risk assessment procedures in their hazard
planning process because a good assessment can be costly and requires specialist knowledge.
Since a thorough risk assessment is crucial, the quality of the plans suffered from the lack of
funds and knowledge among local officials. FEMA therefore established HAZUS, a free-of-
charge software tool released in 1997 that can assist local governments in the risk assessment
procedure (Burby e.a. 1999, FEMA 2004, Milheizler & Schneider 1997). HAZUS is a
complete natural hazard loss estimation methodology; it takes into account physical damage,
economic losses, and social impacts of natural disasters. It allows for combined assessments of
multiple hazards. Earthquake, hurricane and flood risks can be calculated directly with the
software, and it is possible to combine this information with that of other hazards (FEMA
2004).
HAZUS will estimate among others (FEMA 2004):
• the number of buildings damaged and the number of people made homeless
• the number of deaths
• the amount of damage to electrical and water utilities and transportation systems
• estimated costs of repairing all damages
HAZUS also provides tools for land use planning and siting issues, for enhanced decision-
making on whether to retrofit or demolish, and for planning of emergency response services.
Since risks vary by location, HAZUS is in fact a GIS tool. In order to run the program, various
data are necessary, among others GIS data. HAZUS only accepts GIS files in the ArcGIS-
format which means that local governments can only use HAZUS if they have ArcGIS (FEMA
2004). Although HAZUS is provided free-of-charge, ArcGIS software is expensive which puts
new financial obstacles in the way to thorough local risk assessments.
Project Impact
In 1998, Project Impact was launched. This project consists of several measures that should
assist communities to mitigate natural hazards to become ‘disaster resistant’. It provides a
guidebook that provides checklists, case studies and other helpful tools to develop a mitigation
plan. Communities can then request the label ‘disaster resistant’. If the request is approved, the
community receives $1 million from FEMA to support sustained implementation of local
18
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