About HAZUS-MH
HAZUS-MH is a powerful risk assessment methodology used to analyze potential losses from natural hazards including floods, hurricane winds and earthquakes. HAZUS uses state-of-the-art Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software combined with science, engineering and mathematical modeling to map and display hazard data and the results of damage and economic loss estimates for buildings and infrastructure.
HAZUS-MH was developed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) under contract with the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS). NIBS gathered the top scientific and engineering minds in the nation to create HAZUS.
The earthquake model was first released in 1997 followed by a significantly improved HAZUS99, released in 1999. In 2004, HAZUS added flood and wind loss estimation capability, making it a multi-hazard loss estimation tool. Subsequent releases in 2005, 2006 and 2007 have improved HAZUS’ speed and analytical capacity.
Now a seasoned multi-hazard disaster loss simulation tool, HAZUS MR4 gives the nation and communities a window into the future and a means to prioritize activities that will reduce disaster-related losses.
Potential loss estimates analyzed in HAZUS-MH include:
Physical damage to residential and commercial buildings, schools, critical facilities, and infrastructure;
Economic loss, including lost jobs, business interruptions, repair and reconstruction costs; and
Social impacts, including estimates of shelter requirements, displaced households, and population exposed to scenario floods, earthquakes and hurricanes.
Estimating losses is essential to decision-making at all levels of government, providing a basis for developing mitigation plans and policies, emergency preparedness, and response and recovery planning.
Federal, State and local government agencies and the private sector can order HAZUS-MH free-of-charge from the FEMA Publication Warehouse.
The purpose of this site is to promote HAZUS training and provide quick links to key resources that encourage the use of HAZUS to make our Nation safer.
HAZUS Conference News
4th Annual HAZUS Conference - Aug 23-25, 2010 - Indianapolis, IN.
Earn CFM® and GISP Certification Points at the HAZUS Conference! Click here for details.