National risk index applications in hazard mitigation planning: Practitioner case studies
Time
2000 hrs CET
Description
FEMA's National Risk Index (NRI) data and interactive website are just coming into broad use and are showing potential to provide a powerful and much needed link between hazard science and practice. The NRI models risk for every county in the United States using a consistent methodology for 18 natural hazards, including flood, drought, severe weather and more. These results can be downloaded and directly integrated into state and regional hazard mitigation plans risk assessments, providing the ability to do comparative analysis and understand large-scale risk trends. Besides being readily available, one of the benefits of the NRI in state hazard mitigation plan updates is the ability to analyze comparative flood risk using a consistent methodology, including rural areas that often do not have flood maps. Another benefit is the ability to readily access social vulnerability data and resiliency indices.
This presentation will provide an overview of how the NRI can be leveraged for planning, based on case studies including state hazard mitigation plans for Utah, South Dakota, and New Mexico, in addition to a large-scale regional planning effort in Montana. The NRI proved useful in most cases, though some aspects have been limiting in these contexts. Strengths and limitations are discussed, in addition to a comparative analysis of various social vulnerability indices. The presentation concludes with opportunities for enhancement to further leverage this budding resource.
Learning outcomes:
- Understand how the NRI functions and the value it can provide in hazard mitigation plans.
- Discover ways in which the NRI has been implemented in state and regional contexts through case studies.
- Learn about the strengths and limitations of this tool, particularly as it pertains to social vulnerability data.