Riverside County, CA: HAZUS
(RCEFRA)
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has initiated a project in Riverside County to complete an Essential Facilities Risk Assessment utilizing FEMA’s HAZUS®MH (HAZards U.S., Multi-Hazard) natural hazard loss estimation software. This pilot project is intended to demonstrate the synergy between FEMA’s Map Modernization efforts, to update the Digital Flood Insurance Rate Map (DFIRM) for Riverside County, and a community’s information preparation for hazard mitigation planning. This project will create risk assessments for a range of natural hazards (flood and earthquake) combined with detailed data of critical essential facilities infrastructure (hospitals, fire stations, schools, shelters, etc.) to estimate regional economic and population impacts. We will also evaluate the performance of essential facilities during these scenarios. At the close of this project, FEMA intends to provide this valuable information back to you, to freely disseminate as needed. These data will be in a GIS compatible format, usable for local emergency preparedness, response and recovery activities, disaster mitigation planning, and for outreach to promote awareness and pro-active preparation for hazard events.
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 losses; 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 will include a streamlined process for incorporating DFIRM data, which will be implemented for this study.
FEMA will provide funding to run this project, and to develop the data and hazard scenarios for Riverside County. In exchange, we request that Riverside County and communities actively support this project. FEMA would like a representative from Riverside County to serve as the lead member of the Executive Committee to provide oversight and champion the activities being prepared by this pilot project. Additionally, FEMA requests that Riverside County provide their Assessor’s parcel and valuation data for input into the HAZUS®MH model. FEMA does understand the sensitive nature of these data, and care will be taken with any detailed information that is contained in this data. With the Assessor’s data, we hope to be able to determine meaningful hazard impacts based on real population numbers and real property values. Determining realistic risk to facilities, structures and infrastructure across Riverside County will be a key to making this pilot project a success.
Activities
Kick-Off Meeting Presentation (PDF)
Kick-Off Meeting Announcement (PDF)
Community Executive Committee
Riverside County Fire Department Office of Emergency Services (Chairperson) |
Riverside County Sheriff's Department |
| Riverside County Flood Control District | City of Riverside |
| City of Moreno Valley | City of Indio |
| City of Palm Springs | City of Corona |
| City of Beaumont | City of Murrieta |
Hospital Association of Southern California |
Morongo Band of Mission Indians |
1st CEC Meeting - September 25, 2007 Presentation (PDF)
1st CEC Meeting Agenda (PDF)