Riverine Flood Modeling in HAZUS-MH: overview of the implementation

This paper presents an overview of how riverine flood hazards may be modeled using the FEMA-developed software application HAZUS-MultiHazard. The paper describes the component-based approach to the application’s design, including system architecture and installation. Built-in data accompanying HAZUS and their utilization are also described. The paper traverses the modeling approach from definition of the study region and riverine flood hazards, through the parametric definition of relationships between inventory and hazard-based levels of damage to the actual overlay processes that determine inventory damage counts and levels. The paper concludes with a note on the relationship between the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 and FEMA’s promotion and utilization of HAZUS-MH.Sponsored by: Georgia Environmental Protection Division U.S. Geological Survey, Georgia Water Science Center U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia Water Resources Institute The University of Georgia, Water Resources Facult