HAZUS User Group Success Stories

FEMA produces several success stories each year to highlight outstanding work by HAZUS User Groups and HAZUS users. These stories are sorted by FEMA Region

HAZUS Training Story

Five Classrooms and Four Time Zones Combined for the Inaugural Virtual Basic HAZUS Training Course

Earthquake Stories

Haiti 2010 Earthquake

Using the GIS-based methodology developed by Hansen and Bausch in 2006, a Hazus Haiti study region was developed in the immediate weeks following the devastating January 12, 2010 earthquake.
Haiti Earthquake Success Story

FEMA Region 9

HIHUG: Hawaii HAZUS Atlas
For instant earthquake analysis in Hawaii, turn to the Hawaii HAZUS Atlas.  The twenty plausible earthquake scenarios will assist any emergency manager with all phases of disaster planning.

NVHUG: Loss Estimation Modeling of Earthquake Scenarios for Each County in Nevada Using HAZUS-MH
Quickly visualize earthquake losses for all Counties in Nevada with these HAZUS studies.

FEMA Region 10

ORHUG: Geologic Hazards and Future Earthquake Damage and Loss Estimates for Six Counties in Mid/Southern Willamette Valley, Oregon
The “Partnership” helps Oregon counties with hazard maps, damage estimates and mitigation plan management.

Flood Stories

FEMA Region 8

Using Hazus at Devil’s Lake, North Dakota
While a graduate student at the University of North Dakota, Christina Cummings worked with FEMA Risk Analyst/GIS Coordinator Jesse Rozelle, Dr. Paul Todhunter, and Dr. Brad Rundquist of the Department of Geography, to conduct a site-specific analysis of potential flooding in Minnewaukan, North Dakota.

FEMA Region 4

USGS and FEMA Success Story January 2011
USGS and FEMA Collaborate to Expand Flood Mapping and Risk Assessment Science Albany, Georgia Flood Inundation Mapping and Risk Assessment Project.

FEMA Region 3

3RiversHUG: Formed by the California University of Pennsylvania
California University of Pennsylvania bringing HAZUS expertise to local governments in Southwestern Pennsylvania through research and service projects.

3RiversHUG: CUP Students Begin A New Chapter in HAZUS History
Find out how students at CUP are using HAZUS to assist municipal governments with all levels of emergency management.

FEMA Region 4

Using HAZUS for Flood Loss Estimates and CRS Flood Mitigation Planning
HAZUS-MH used by the City of Savannah, Georgia to meet their goals to assess and quantify current flood hazard risks using new geospatial data and best available technology; to increase public and stakeholder involvement in the City’s mitigation planning efforts; and to maximize potential credit points under FEMA’s Community Rating System (CRS) through quality plan development and implementation.

FEMA Region 5

Wisconsin Emergency Management: Using HAZUS-MH to Evaluate Flood Risks and Losses across the State
Leveraging HAZUS methodology, the state of Wisconsin, conducted 100 year flood analysis for the whole state.

FEMA Region 6

Louisiana State University: Using the Power of HAZUS to Study a Flood-prone State
Michelle Barnett used HAZUS to analyze damage estimates for flood prone parishes in Louisiana in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

FEMA Region 7

FEMA Region VII: Johnson County Emergency Management and Homeland Security Collaborates with the University of Iowa Department of Geography to Assess Flooding Impacts Using HAZUS-MH
June 9, 2008, Johnson County Emergency Management Director Dave Wilson anxiously watched as floodwaters rose to record levels of 28 feet upstream. Forecasts called for more rain, painting a grim picture for the County. Visualizing a repeat of the 1993 flood, Dave realized that using paper maps to plan response and recovery would not be a viable option…

FEMA Region 10

Eagle, Alaska Uses HAZUS to Map Safe Rebuilding Zones Following Ice Jam Devastation
In early May 2009, an ice jam on the Yukon River above Eagle, Alaska broke, flooding the town with icebergs as large as homes. The town was devastated. Houses were pushed off their foundations and the icy flood waters carried away vehicles, homes, and personal belongings. Fishwheels, boats, nets, and other means of livelihood were crushed beneath the weight of moving ice. The ice jam occurred when masses of ice broke apart and got stuck in a narrow part of the river.

Wind Stories

FEMA Region 4

NCHUG: Incorporating HAZUS-MH Methodologies to Assist with Mitigation Planning and Hurricane Operations
Dare County, SC uses HAZUS in their updated mitigation plan to show the potential damages to infrastructure and buildings as well as potential economic impacts during wind events.

FLHUG: A Catalyst for Mitigating Risks and Improving Collaboration Between Florida’s Emergency Management Professionals
Florida finds a way to achieve “economies of scale,” by forming the FLHUG and mitigating risks using HAZUS.

FEMA Region 6

ARHUG: Proving HAZUS Capabilities for Mitigation and Business Continuity Planning
Arkansas Tech University’s use of HAZUS shows the benefits that the HAZUS data offers in microanalysis situations.

TXHUG: Using HAZUS-MH Runs to Calculate Debris and Commodity Needs for Hurricanes
Update: How many truck loads of debris are generated?  How many bottles of water or MRE’s are needed to feed the workers clearing debris?  Quantifiable answers are available through the commodity needs spreadsheet.

Multi-Hazard Stories

FEMA Region 3


Ph.D. Research Developed Using Hazus-MH in a Decision Support System to Improve Resilience of Critical Infrastructure
The two most recent major disasters in the United States, the 9/11 attacks and Hurricane Katrina, underscored the need for improvements in both safety and security. At the same time, a difficult economic period started reflecting smaller budgets to manage critical infrastructure systems, current and growing maintenance, and construction-development needs.

FEMA Region 1

Using HAZUS for Exercise Scenarios, by Dan O’Brien, Program Manager, New York State Emergency Management Office
Exercises are a major component of emergency preparedness. They provide the testing, evaluation and groundwork for improving target emergency management capabilities as outlined by FEMA

Eagle, Alaska Uses HAZUS to Map Safe Rebuilding Zones Following Ice Jam Devastation

In early May 2009, an ice jam on the Yukon River above Eagle, Alaska broke, flooding the town with icebergs as large as homes. The town was devastated. Houses were pushed off their foundations and the icy flood waters carried away vehicles, homes, and personal belongings. Fishwheels, boats, nets, and other means of livelihood were crushed beneath the weight of moving ice. The ice jam occurred when masses of ice broke apart and got stuck in a narrow part of the river.

Eagle, Alaska Uses HAZUS to Map Safe Rebuilding Zones Following Ice Jam Devastation

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