Orange County, CA: HAZUS
(OCEFRA)
This pilot project is intended to demonstrate the synergy between Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)’s Map Modernization update of a countywide Digital Flood Insurance Rate Map (DFIRM) for Orange County, CA and FEMA’s HAZUS®MH (HAZards U.S., Multi-Hazard) natural hazard loss estimation software, with products useful to emergency preparedness and mitigation planning.
The countywide DFIRM for Orange County, CA reflects flood hazard data for the unincorporated areas of Orange County and its 35 incorporated communities. The existing DFIRM for Orange County was issued as an effective product in 2004. Since then, FEMA has issued additional guidance affecting countywide projects including changes to base map and floodplain boundary standards, a preference for showing flood hazard mapping on an orthophoto base rather than as a vector map, and demonstrating that any levee structures shown as being accredited on the FIRMs as offering protection from the 1% annual chance flood event have proper engineering certification and operation and maintenance records on file with FEMA. These changes in FEMA’s specifications warranted an update project to bring the effective products for Orange County into compliance with current FEMA guidelines.
As the update to the DFIRM would produce a new countywide flood hazard GIS data layer, FEMA determined that this was an optimum opportunity to encourage the communities within Orange County to update their Hazard Mitigation Plans with these improved flood data. A current Hazard Mitigation Plan, accepted and on-file with FEMA, allows communities to be eligible for Mitigation and Disaster Relief funding. A key tool used in many Hazard Mitigation Plans is the HAZUS®MH software.
HAZUS MH, developed for FEMA by the National Institute of Building Standards (NIBS), is a standardized, nationally applicable natural hazard loss estimation methodology implemented through PC-based GIS software. HAZUS®MH produces estimates of; damage to regional building stocks, lifelines and essential facilities, economic loss, and social impacts for earthquake, flood and hurricane wind hazards. Local, state and federal government officials use HAZUS®MH for mitigation, emergency response, and recovery planning. The latest update to the HAZUS®MH flood model (Maintenance Release 3, or MR-3) will include a streamlined process for incorporating DFIRM data, which will be exercised as part of this pilot study. In addition, the HAZUS®MH Flood model will also be used to analyze the impact on regional economic losses when levee structures are fully incorporated into the flood mapping process.
While the HAZUS®MH software is delivered with default data to allow regional analyses “straight out of the box”, the accuracy of HAZUS®MH results can be greatly improved with the input of various “user supplied” data. The current project will enhance both the regional building inventory data, and the site-specific essential facilities databases, which include police and fire stations, hospitals, and schools. Products of the Pilot Study, including a Countywide Risk Assessment Report for flood and earthquake, and a Guidelines Document to allow other counties or communities to conduct a similar enhancement, will be useful for mitigation planning, public outreach, disaster preparedness, and response planning. At the end of this pilot project, FEMA intends for Orange County to have an updated DFIRM as well as material required to update their Hazard Mitigation Plan, along with additional data ready for risk assessment and emergency preparedness.
Scope/Activity Statement
Kick-Off Meeting Presentation (PDF)
Kick-Off Meeting Announcement Letter (PDF)
Kick-Off Meeting List of Attendees (PDF)
Community Executive Committee
Orange County Sheriff's Department Emergency Management Department (Chairperson) |
U.S. Congressman Dana Rohrabacher's Office |
Orange County Health Care Agency |
California Office of Emergency Services |
| Orange County Department of Education | Orange County Flood Control District |
Orange County Fire Authority |
CIty of Newport Beach |
| Hosptial Association of Southern California | City of San Clemente |
1st CEC Meeting - June 14, 2007 Presentation (PDF)
1st CEC Agenda & Meeting Minutes (PDF)
2nd CEC Meeting - November 21, 2007 Presentation (PDF)
2nd CEC Agenda & Meeting Minutes (PDF)