Natural Hazards Exam 2

NFIP and Biggert-Waters

Testimony of the Association of State Floodplain Managers, Inc. on Implementation of the National Flood Insurance Program Reform Act (Biggert-Waters) before the House Financial Services Committee and Housing and Insurance Subcommittee by Chad Berginnis, Exec. Dir. on Nov. 19, 2013 - Purpose of the NFIP and its Transformation under Biggert-Waters

Top disaster states

Texas California Oklahoma New York Florida Louisiana Alabama Kentucy Arkansas

TOR

TORNADO WARNING This is issued when a tornado is indicated by the WSR-88D radar or sighted by spotters; therefore, people in the affected area should seek safe shelter immediately. They can be issued without a Tornado Watch being already in effect. They are usually issued for a duration of around 30 minutes. A Tornado Warning is issued by your local National Weather Service office.

EAS

Emergency Alert System -Outdoor warning sirens -Electronic highway signs -Traditional EAS providers -Radio & TV -NOAA All Hazards Radio -Text message and E-mail -Twitter -Recorded information -Website

Land Use Management Act Facts

A Social Structural Fix used to promote socially desirable and ecologically sustainable uses of vulnerable land in the United States. Land uses are compatible with the risk in view of the benefits to society which will be derived from using the land. It is more than simply not using the land, but land management for productive uses of the hazardous areas. More compatible uses, e.g. recreational (greenways, greenbelts), industrial.

Insurance

A common adjustment to natural hazards

Insurance 2

A means of reducing the risk by modifying or bearing the loss individually or collectively. Individuals sharing the risks of uncertain events with others. Shifting losses (i.e. economic) due to catastrophic events from individual or business to a risk-bearing institution, either private or public.

How much do they cost?

A typical single-family home insurance policy in Washington state costs $595 per year, Newman said. For a home that would cost $300,000 to rebuild, a Difference in Condition policy would cost about $1,000 per year on top of the regular insurance policy, "depending on the proximity to a cliff and the steepness of the slope above or below your property," he said.

NFIP Policies in Force Jan. 2014(Jan. 2016)

AR - 20,692 (18,785) LA - 481,373 (453,856) FL - 2,037,242 (1,823623) CA - 244,830 (299,322) NY - 194,137 (188,745) NJ- 242,430 (234,185) NC- 138,771 (130,551) TX- 626,171 (591,150) SC 203,648 (200,660) Total U. S. 5,486,217 (5,136,674) Ins amt -$1,282,541,847,400 ($1,250,736,780,300) Premiums- $3,780,589,805 ($3,550,597,152)

hazard insurance is known as

Adverse Selection Only people in hazard prone areas want to purchase insurance coverage, thus necessitating unusually high rates and concentrating coverage in risk-prone areas. As safeguards, insurance companies can build large reserves or enter into reinsurance agreements with other, usually larger, insuring firms.

What's not covered by this 1

Although floods and earthquakes are widespread in the U.S., the damage they cause is not covered by the standard HO-3 policy. Almost 90 percent of the U.S. population lives in earthquake-prone areas; since 1900 earthquakes have occurred in 39 states and caused damage in all 50. If your home is located in a flood-prone area, you are 26 times more likely to suffer a flood loss than a loss from fire. Of course, the cost of flood and earthquake coverage reflects the high risk involved. If you live along a shoreline, you can expect to pay a higher premium for flood coverage than someone living in the mountains.

Detection of the Event

Doppler Radar Flood forecasting stream gauging GOES Satellites Seismographic Networks

Modifying Behavior

Attempts to reduce vulnerability by altering human behavior and human activities. Examples include restricting /regulating occupancy /development of flood-prone areas (flood plains), regulations in seismically active areas, water conservation during drought, requiring tie-downs in mobile home parks,...

CNS

Citizen Notification Service is designed to facilitate communication between citizens and all units of local, state and federal government. CNS is a fully customized application that is designed and built around the client's existing web presence, and will integrate seamlessly to allow citizens direct access to the application while maintaining the client's look and feel

Public Assistance 2

Clearance of debris, when in public interest Emergency protective measures for life & prop Repair/replacement of streets, roads, bridges Repair/replacement of water control facilities Repair/replacement of public buildings Repair/replacement of public utilities Repair/replacement of recreation facilities Repair/replacement of eligible private nonprofit facilities

Situational Factors

Complicates a person's range of choices. Includes a person's physical location in relation to the hazardous area as well as income, age and social system factors that may affect a person's ability to take specific actions. Familiarity with situation - sense of place, understanding of place Availability of information on situation Importance of physical situation of residence as well as physical attributes of residence

Warning systems serve three main functions

Detecting environmental threats Providing information to the people at risk Enabling those in danger to make decisions and take appropriate action.

Natural Hazard Warnings

Detecting impending disaster (danger to life, property) whether natural, technological, or human induced, and taking appropriate action in response to that danger.

Evaluation-Dissemination(spreading information)

Detection Measurement Collation(collecting) Interpretation Decision to warn Message content Dissemination

Protection against the event when it occurs- Protective works

Detention of flood waters and landslide Diversion of flood flow and avalanches Confinement of flood flow Dissipation of energy waves and wind

Modifying the Event 1

Efforts to control the physical event(phenomenon) in order to lessen its impact and resulting losses. Modifying the cause of the hazard. E.g. hurricane modification, cloud seeding, lightning suppression, hail suppression, relieving seismic stresses along fault boundary by fluid injection, freeze reduction by heating air,...

Modifying the hazard

Efforts to reduce the vulnerability to the natural event; modifies human-use rather than the natural system in order to reduce loss. Examples include constructing flood control dams(reservoirs), levees, floodwalls, warning systems, building earthquake-resistant and flood-resistant houses, reservoirs for water supply,...

Flood Hazard Mitigation Alternatives

Elevation of Structures Levees, Floodwalls Flood Proofing Relocation of Structures Property Buyouts

Three States Of Disaster Assistance

Emergency: The first response, it relies on quick action and involves providing emergency shelter, medical assistance, food, and other such services. This stage can last two to three weeks. Red Cross, FEMA, and other First Responders. Relief: Short-term housing, health services, and employment counseling are provided. Formal assessment of damage begins with examinations of buildings, including analysis of historic properties and other structures. This stage may last up to six months. Recovery: This stage is characterized by rebuilding, with an emphasis on long-term comprehensive planning to enhance the physical fabric of the community. Regulatory changes may be necessary to mitigate the effect of future disasters. This period may last three years or more.

The International Red Cross warns that the frequency and cost of natural disasters will probably increase due to:

Environmental degradation Climate change Population growth, especially in cities Globalization

Public Assistance examples

Estimated cost of assistance Localized impacts Insurance coverage Hazard mitigation Recent multiple disasters Programs of other federal assistance

Reasons for Low Participation - NFIP Low Market Penetration

Flood insurance not seen as worth the costs; Individuals have misperceptions about low-probability (high consequence) risks and lack info on NFIP; Private insurance agents do not market NFIP policies; Lack of compliance with the mandatory purchase requirement or failure to ensure that property owners maintain coverage for the life of the property loan; Many homeowners in risky areas either do not have a mortgage or have a mortgage from a lender that does not enforce the mandatory purchase requirement

2 types of insurance

General - Comprehensive homeowner's coverage Special coverage requiring separate policy or endorsement to policy. Flood, earthquake, subsidence, landslide, crop (drought, hail)

Response 2

Geographic proximity Perceived time of impact Fear Locus of control

Insurance serves two major functions in mitigating the consequences of natural hazards

If rates (actuarial-figuring risks, premiums) reflect the risk of living in a particular area, insurance can provide guidance in developing these areas. Flood Insurance Rate Maps Following a disaster, coverage provides a means of recovery for damaged homes and businesses, reducing the probability of bankruptcy

NTAS Threat levels

Imminent Threat Alert: Warns of a credible, specific, and impending terrorist threat against the United States. Elevated Threat Alert: Warns of a credible terrorist threat against the United States.

Costs of earthquake insurance in California

In a state such as California, where earthquakes are quite common, the average bill can vary from $450 to $3,500 a year, depending on the size of your home, the structure and a few other factors.

Flood insurance information

In most cases, it takes 30 days after purchase for a policy to take effect, so it's important to buy insurance before the storm approaches and the floodwaters start to rise. From 2003 to 2012, total flood insurance claims averaged nearly $4 billion per year.

NFIP Repetitive Flood Loss Properties

LA, TX, FL, NJ, NY

Limitations on Land Use Planning are imposed by

Lack of knowledge about the type, location, recurrence interval and hazard potential of impacting events. Presence of extensive existing development. Infrequency of hazardous events and difficulty in maintaining community awareness and avoidance of hazard-prone land. High costs of many mitigation measures. Shallow pockets of local govts. Social, economic, legal and political resistance to land use controls, esp. perception that LUM restricts economic development and growth and reduces individual landowner freedoms.

Paul Reser Quote

Inch by inch, like a leaky balloon slowly collapsing, the ground in Houston and the area surrounding Galveston Bay is sinking, and as it does, bay waters rush in to claim acreage once high and dry. Streets are being slowly flooded, homes are being cut off, trees die in salt water, docks and levees must be raised and park lands turn into lakes."

Cognitive Factors

Include personality characteristics that influence one's view of nature, therefore one's tendency to take or avoid risk. Influence planned behavior and protection motivation

Bearing the Loss

Individual and collective loss bearing - Distribute the losses, Examples - Insurance, relief and rehabilitation, individual loss bearing

Bearing the loss (distributing the loss)

Individual and collective loss bearing. Distribute or redistribute the losses through insurance, relief and rehabilitation, individual loss bearing...

Problems in relying on insurance for risk management

Insurance may not be available for all hazards. Insurance that reflects the true risk of a natural hazard can (should) be expensive. People are unlikely to purchase insurance unless the risk is perceived as substantial. Residents often procrastinate in obtaining insurance until the hazard is imminent. Low frequency (low probability), high consequence events may wipe out financial reserve pools ($) and the insurance companies are unable to meet the claims of the insured

Land Use Management Examples

Local Approaches - zoning, subdivision regs, building codes, taxation, location of key facilities, public acquisition of lands State Approaches - comprehensive land use controls, coastal zoning and wetlands protection, subdivision regs, building codes, floodway obstruction and encroachment regs, facility siting controls, public acquisition of lands

Factors Affecting Rate of Recovery following a Natural Disaster

Magnitude of damage and loss Resources available for recovery: ---Financial - local, state, federal, private ----Material - equipment, housing, construction ----Human - volunteers, military Prevailing disaster trends - less time now required ------Improved communications and response Leadership, planning and organization -----Who is in charge? Local, county, state, federal? Pre disasters conditions -----Level of economic development, economic health

Levels of Response from Federal Government

Major Disaster Declarations Emergency Declarations Fire Management Assistance Declarations No Presidential Declaration but Federal involvement - SBA, FmHA, VA, USDA No Declaration at all - Other existing Federal Programs implemented - IRS, Banking

Modifying the Event

Modify the cause of the hazard. Examples - reducing the strength of a hurricane, relieving the seismic stresses, cloud seeding,

3 categories of adjustments

Modifying the event (the cause of the hazard) Modifying the hazard (reducing vulnerability) Modifying the behavior (alter human actions) Bearing the loss (distributing the loss)

Modifying the Behavior

Modifying the human activities to reduce vulnerability to hazards. Examples - restricting occupancy in flood plains, regs in EQ prone areas, water conservation,

Modifying the Hazard

Modifying the vulnerability to the natural event. Examples - constructing flood control devices, warning systems, EQ resistant houses, safe rooms,

Primary types of hurricane katinra waste

Municipal solid waste — general household trash and personal belongings. Construction and demolition (C&D) debris — building materials (which may include asbestos-containing materials), drywall, lumber, carpet, furniture, mattresses, plumbing. Vegetative debris — trees, branches, shrubs, and logs. Household hazardous waste — oil, pesticides, paints, cleaning agents. White goods — refrigerators, freezers, washers, dryers, stoves, water heaters, dishwashers, air conditioners. Electronic waste — computers, televisions, printers, stereos, DVD players, telephones. Rotten meat and other food items

Federal Legislation Affecting Land Use Decisions

National Flood Insurance Act ('68,'73,'77) National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA, '69) Coastal Zone Management Act ('72) Water Resources Development Act ('74) Resource Conservation and Recovery Act ('76) Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act ('77) ƒ

NFIP

National Flood Insurance Program In 1968, Congress passed the National Flood Insurance Act based on findings that: "(1) a program of flood insurance can promote the public interest by providing appropriate protection against the perils of flood losses and encouraging sound land use by minimizing exposure of property to flood losses; and (2) the objectives of a flood insurance program should be integrally related to a unified national program for floodplain management." In order for homeowners to qualify for federally subsidized flood insurance, communities are required to adopt federally prescribed land use controls consistent with the local flood hazard.

Relief and Rehabilitation

Necessary only when predisaster adjustments have not prevented disaster. Plans for R & R must be developed prior to disaster.

Warning System Failures

New Orleans, LA - Hurricane Katrina, Aug 29, 2005, SS3, 125 mph sustained winds 1464 deaths $100 bil damages Joplin, MO - EF 5 Tornado, May 22, 2011 $2.2 bil damages (insurance payout) 160 deaths 3rd tornado strike since 1971

Rethinking Your Stance on Earthquake Coverage Remember, we get insurance to guard against unlikely and financially devastating events. Article

Only 17% of California's homeowners have earthquake insurance. Are the rest in denial--or making a rational choice? Some financial planners suggest the latter. They say that the majority of California homeowners are opting out after weighing the relatively remote chance of a temblor destroying their homes against the high cost of today's earthquake coverage. But we don't buy insurance coverage just to protect us from likely occurrences. We get insurance to guard against unlikely and financially devastating events. In the case of quake insurance, people who decided long ago to do without it might want to revisit the issue--especially in light of changes in the last year that have made coverage more appealing. Earthquake insurance coverage changed radically after the 1994 Northridge temblor. Until then, companies that wrote homeowners insurance in the state were also required to offer earthquake coverage. After Northridge, most insurers refused to write either, saying the $12.5 billion in insurance claims from the quake was far higher than expected--higher, in fact, than the total of all earthquake insurance premiums ever collected in California. The state Legislature eventually responded by created the California Earthquake Authority, a state-run insurance pool.

What's not covered by this 2

Other exclusions can include neglect, intentional loss, earth movement, general power failure and even damage caused by war. A costly exclusion is the ordinance or law exclusion, which refers to changes in building codes that can drive up the cost of rebuilding or repairing. Thus, if you discover when replacing damaged property that current law requires a higher grade of electrical wiring, the difference in cost between the old wiring and the new wiring is your responsibility.

The characteristics of the natural hazard

Predictability Possible length of forewarning Speed of onset } fast, slow, widespread, localized Scope of impact Duration and intensity of impact Recurrence of impact Controllability Scope for avoidance or mitigation

Disaster Relief in United States

Prior to 1930s - Ad hoc legislation passed 100 times for disaster relief. 1930-1960 - No coordinated approach to disaster relief with many federal agencies involved as needed. 1973 Federal Disaster Assistance Administration -Agency assigned to overseeing disasters 1979 Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) -An independent agency created to coordinate the response to disasters in the U. S. that overwhelm the resources of local and state authorities. 2003 - present - FEMA under Dept. of Homeland Security (DHS) following Sep 11, 2001 terrorists attacks. -Some warned that a result of this reorganization would be "an ineffective and uncoordinated response to a terrorists attack or a natural disaster

Influences on Cognition - Cognitive Development

Social-cultural factors Language (including writing) and Cognitive Ability Motivation The Individual and Group -Culture -Community -Neighborhood -Social organizations -Family -Peer group

Approaches to LUM

Public Acquisition of hazard-prone land is the most direct method of effect LUM. Public safety Land Zoning involves the division of hazardous areas into districts, and through the use of ordinances and regulations, public control is exercised over development of these areas. Public Education and other voluntary methods can be effective in discouraging development in hazardous areas, e.g. full disclosure laws. Financial Incentives/Measures can be important in discouraging development in hazardous areas due to significance placed on profit, esp. if the true cost of maintenance is identified, e.g. road upkeep, utilities, disaster relief and recovery.

Steps in the Warning Process

Recognition by decision makers of the possibility of danger Design of a system to monitor changes in a particular hazard and issue warnings Installation and operation of a reliable warning system The decision on who to warn, the message and how to warn Public perception, experience and education Monitoring and managing the event as it develops Reviewing, testing and modifying the system

Public Assistance

Refers to various categories of assistance to state and local governments and non-profit organizations. In assessing PA damage, FEMA considers

Stages of Relief and Rehabilitation

Relief - Emergency Period -Search and Rescue -Care for Casualties and Survivors -Enhancement of Community Morale -Maintenance of Community Order -Protection Against Accompanying Hazards Rehabilitation - Restoration Period -Restore Utilities to Pre-Disaster Capacities -Restore Transportation -Develop Plans for Improvement Reconstruction I -Build to Pre-Disaster Conditions Reconstruction II -Improve on Pre-Disaster Conditions

Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973

Requires Housing and Urban Development to indentify all known flood prone areas. Requires the purchase of flood insurance as a condition for a federally backed loan. (Lending agencies that are FDIC and FSLIC participants.) Prohibits making federally connected loans in identified flood hazard areas of communities that fail to join the program.

Conway, AR Zoning Categories

Residential - R1, R2, MF... Commercial - C1-C4 Office - 01 - 03 Industrial - L1 - L3 Special - Parks, Recreation, Hosp, Schools, PUD...

SLOSH

SEAS, LAKES, AND OVERLAND SURGES FROM HURRICANES

Homeland Security Advisory System

System is designed to guide our protective measures when specific information to a particular sector or geographic region is received. It combines threat information with vulnerability assessments and provides communications to public safety officials and the public.

Common Adjustments to Natural Hazards

Technological Adjustments Warnings Relief and Rehabilitation Insurance Land Use Management

Earthquake Insurance Purchases

The California Department of Insurance estimated in 2006 that just over 12% of California households have earthquake insurance. A decrease in this low penetration rate would reduce the number of Californians able to afford to rebuild after a devastating earthquake

Hurricane Katrina - What Went Wrong?

The Evacuation Thousands of Transit Dependent Residents A delay in ordering mandatory evacuation A lack of buses (transportation) The Levees Over 80% of the city was flooded Storm intensity exceeded design capacity Design flaws and weak soil The Government Mismanagement Complete breakdown in coordination

Harris-Galveston Subsidence District

The Harris-Galveston Subsidence District is a special purpose district created by the Texas Legislature in 1975. The District was created to provide for the regulation of groundwater withdrawal throughout Harris and Galveston counties for the purpose of preventing land subsidence, which leads to increased flooding. In 1975, as a result of area residents and local governments becoming increasingly alarmed by the continued impact of subsidence on economic growth and quality of life in the region, the Harris-Galveston Coastal Subsidence District was created by the 64th Texas Legislature as an underground water conservation district. Our main role at that time was to provide for the regulation of the withdrawal of groundwater to control subsidence. The challenge had begun. In that first year, we diligently gathered information on the Chicot and Evangeline aquifers.

A Comprehensive Hazard Warning Strategy? and what is (IPAWS)

The United States, until recently, has had no comprehensive warning strategy that covers all hazards and all places, excluding the Homeland Security Advisory System and the Integrated Public Alert Warning System (IPAWS). Public warning practices (systems) were decentralized across different governments (local-community and county, state, federal) and the private sector. Hazard preparedness was particularly unequal at local government levels.

Major Disaster

any natural catastrophe (including any hurricane, tornado, storm, high water, wind driven water, tidal wave, tsunami, earthquake, volcanic eruption, landslide, mudslide, snowstorm, or drought), or, regardless of cause, any fire, flood, or explosion, in any part of the U.S. which in the determination of the President causes damage of sufficient severity and magnitude to warrant major disaster assistance under this Act to supplement the efforts and available resources of States, local governments, and disaster relief organizations in alleviating the damage, loss, hardship, or suffering caused thereby."

What insurance covers landslides?

The only type of insurance policy that covers landslides is called a Difference In Condition policy. These also cover mudflow, earthquakes and flooding

: Why doesn't a standard homeowner insurance policy cover this type of loss?

The standard homeowners insurance policy covers fire, windstorms and other typical risks faced by the majority of homes. Companies do not include landslides in the standard home policy because if they did, they would be requiring people who have chosen to live in safer areas to subsidize those who live in riskier places, said Karl Newman, president of the Northwest Insurance Council in Seattle.

Joplin Tornado - What went wrong?

The vast majority of Joplin residents did not immediately take protective action upon receiving a first indication of risk (usually via the local siren system), regardless of the source of the warning. The reasons for doing so were quite varied, but largely depended on an individual's ―worldview, formed mostly by previous experience with severe weather.

NTAS

This color-coded system replaced by the National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS) , used since April 26, 2011.

The Adjustments

Those actions taken to cope with the risk and uncertainty of natural events.

SEL

Tornado Watch This is issued by the National Weather Service when conditions are favorable for the development of tornadoes in and close to the watch area. The watch is in a form of a rectangle whose size and orientation varies depending on the weather situation. They are usually issued for a duration of 4 to 8 hours. They normally are issued well in advance of the actual occurrence of severe weather. During the watch, people should review tornado safety rules and be prepared to move a place of safety if threatening weather approaches

Land Use Management

Using land consistent with the ecosystem that will not result in excessive disruption of that ecosystem. Promotes environmentally sustainable and socially desirable uses of vulnerable areas. LUM determines land uses that are compatible with the risk in view of the benefits to society derived from using the land resources.

Three variables of Hazard Warning Response

Warning Confirmation Warning Belief Response

Dissemination of information about the upcoming extreme event

Warning systems - sirens, NOAA Weather Radio, Smart Phone Apps...

The effectiveness of warnings depend on several factors, including

Warning systems must be designed to function after the initial impact has occurred and provide details of the physical consequences to be expected, including secondary hazards Effective warning messages should include some assessment of how long the emergency stage will last If warning is to be adequate, the destructive potential of the hazard must be predicted For warning response to be appropriate, there should be a balance between individual responsibility and collective(government) responsibility.

Compaction

When Long-term withdrawals lower groundwater levels and raise pressure on the clay and silt layers beyond a threshold amount, the layers compact, and the land surface subsides permanently Time: Long-term water-level decline modulated by the seasonal cycles of groundwater withdrawals

National Flood Insurance reform act was passed in

in September 1994. It included a significant boost to improve compliance with the mandatory purchase requirements of the NFIP by lenders, servicers and secondary market purchasers. Increasing

CRS

When your community participates in the Community Rating System (CRS), you can qualify for an insurance premium discount of up to 45% if you live in a high-risk area and up to 10% in moderate- to low-risk areas. Since 1978, the NFIP has paid more than $48.1 billion for flood insurance claims and related costs (as of 7/8/13). More than 5.5 million people currently hold flood insurance policies in more than 21,800 communities across the U.S.

Key Questions related to LUM

Why are people attracted to hazard-prone areas? For which natural hazards can LUM be effectively applied? What uses of land are compatible with the natural hazard risk in view of the benefits to society derived from using the land resource? Who make the decisions about land uses? Private or public? Where are the hazardous areas? Who determines the risk zones? What are the effects of land use regulations on local governments and property owners? Who gains? Who loses? Lucas vs. South Carolina What are the barriers to restricting land use of hazardous areas? What are the rates of adoption of land use regulations and where is adoption occurring? Northeast? West? Southeast? Coastal states?

Humans in Natural Hazards Key Questions to Consider

Why do people frequently relocate to areas of known natural hazard risks? Why do people rebuild in hazardous areas even after experiencing disastrous events? Why do many people risk their lives in hazardous areas even after repeated warnings to evacuate? Why do some people behave "irrationally" during and after a hazardous event? Why do some communities but not others implement policies to mitigate the impact of natural hazards?

Insurance pricing

$129 residential annual premium provides $20,000 building and $8,000 contents coverage. $643 commercial annual premium provides $50,000 building and $50,000 contents coverage.

Modification of Natural Systems Start of tech adjustments

- adjustments applied directly to the natural phenomenon

Warning Confirmation

-Experience - Communication mode -Geographic proximity - ----Perceived warning Certainty -Number of warnings -Warning source - Primary group context

Warning Belief

-Experience - Experience of others -Hazard perception - Primary group context -Number of warnings - ----Observed action of others -Age, sex, urban/rural, race - Observed environmental cues -Socioeconomic status -Perceived warning certainty -Proximity to target area -Warning consistency

According to R. O. King in "Tsunamis and earthquakes: Is federal disaster insurance in our future?" CRS Report for Congress (2005), there are two fundamental earthquake insurance problems

-The limited number of people who purchase earthquake insurance; and -The limited capacity of the insurance industry to handle the often massive losses caused by earthquakes. The capacity is limited because of the potential magnitude of losses, the sporadic and unpredictable nature of earthquakes, and the existing regulatory system that discourages insurers from building reserves for catastrophes by taxing such reserves as profits.

Factors that influence the price:

-The zip code of the registered home. Every zip code will have their own odds in terms of the policy pricing. -The value of the home. The more the home is worth, the higher the policy will be. The construction type, the age of the home and the flight of the stairs will play a role as well. -The deductible will influence the price. The higher the deductible is, the less it's going to cost. If an earthquake were to happen, and a homeowner had a policy, the insurance would cover the damage done to your home. For example, if a $300,000 home was destroyed, with a $2,500 deductible, the homeowner would have to pay $2,500 up front to have your home replaced.

Governors written request must include

1. Certification of implementation of the State Emergency Plan. 2. Description of how the disaster caused needs beyond State/local capabilities. 3. A description of State/local resources already committed. 4. Preliminary estimates of supplementary Federal assistance needed. 5. Certification of compliance with cost-sharing requirements of the Stafford Act.

Important Dates in Brownwood History

1940s Initial development of Brownwood Subdivision 1950s Accelerated growth of area; Investigation of groundwater/subsidence relationship 1961 Hurricane Carla; Brownwood rebuilds 1969 Valentine's day flooding, non-tropical storm related, Brownwood residents become aware of the consequences of subsidence and risk of residing in Brownwood 1970s True magnitude of subsidence problems revealed, alternatives identified and discussed by public.

Second important Brownwood history notes

1975 Harris-Galveston Co. Subsidence Dist. Est. Corps recommends Evac/Reloc. plan 1979 U. S. Congress approves funding for Brownwood relocation The Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 (PL91-646) 1:4 match -$37,964,000 Tot. July 1979 Baytown voters defeat bond issue (buyout) Jan 1980Voters again defeat bond issue Aug 1983 Hurricane Alicia, SS3, 118mph, 10' surge

Hurricane watch Hurricane warning

36 hours 24 hours National Hurricane Center now issues advisories on the probability (percent chance) of a hurricane/tropical storm to strike a particular area.

Warning Systems Consist of:

Evaluation-Dissemination and Response

Top 8 floods------>

Event Date #Paid Losses Amt. Paid(Bl. $) H. Katrina 8/2005 167,671 16.264 H. Ike 9/2008 46,412 2.664 H. Ivan 9/2004 27,658 1.590 H. Irene 8/2011 43,848 1.302 TS Allison 6/2001 30,663 1.103 LA Flood 5/1995 31,343 .585 H. Isabel 9/2003 19,869 .493 H. Rita 9/2005 9,517 .472

GOES

Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES) circle the Earth in a geosynchronous orbit over the equator From 35,800 kilometers (22,300 miles) above the earth, GOES satellites provide half-hourly observations of the earth and its environment.

Constructed Systems

Housing - single family, multiple family, occupant owned, rented Transportation - road, rail, air, water Commercial - businesses, restaurants, hotels Industries - light to heavy Energy Infrastructure -production, distribution Critical Facilities - hospitals, fire stations, long-term care Education - k-12, colleges

Brownwood conclusion

In 1995, sixty-five acres of the Brownwood site was returned to a mix of tidal wetlands, fresh and brackish water pools, and forested islands and Baytown NaturThe initial nature center development was handled as a mitigation site for the French Limited Superfund clean-up project, a consortium of 200 companies. e Center opened. Since then, additional habitat restoration projects have expanded the wetlands area and enhanced the upland areas. The smaller peninsula was developed into a recreational area with fishing piers, picnic tables, walking trails and observation platforms and a Children's Nature Discovery Area. The larger peninsula, which includes the initial wetlands project, was maintained as a Natural Area. An additional 15 acres of wetlands restoration was completed in 2004. In 2005, a new entrance was added on Bayway Drive. In 2008, the Baytown Nature Center was severely damaged by Hurricane Ike. Many of the structures were damaged or destroyed by the 13 feet of flood water that inundated much of the center. Since then most structures have been rebuilt, restored or repaired. The Children's Discovery Area, which was totally destroyed by the hurricane, underwent a complete redesign and was rebuilt as a natural playscape.

Relief and Rehabilitatoin End of tech adjustments

Medical response teams Communication equipment Search and Rescue Food, water and shelter

Conditions for Buyout(1362)

Owners must have carried NFIP before Alicia Structure must have been damaged by at least 3 previous floods over 5 year period, with average damage of at least 25% of structure's value. Single flood damage of at least 50% of structures value. Single event must have left structure damaged or irreparable, either due to local ordinance limitations or significant increased building costs.

Warning systems are complex, linking many specialties and organizations

Science (public & private) - research efforts, physical and behavioral Engineering - infrastructure development and design Technology - multifaceted, state-of-the-art Government - policy, planning, implementation, enforcement News media - information dissemination General Public - the responders

Evaluation of the Event

Sea, Lakes and Overland Surges from Hurricanes (SLOSH) Hurricane hunters

Other types of Assistance

Search and Rescue - U. S. Coast Guard, U. S. Armed Forces Flood Protection Assistance - USACE Emergency Loans for Agriculture - USDA, FmHA Disaster Loans for Homeowners and Businesses- SBA Voluntary Agencies - American Red Cross, Salvation Army, Mennonite Disaster Service, numerous other charitable orgs. and church groups.

Hazard Response dependent on

Situational factors -Physical -Socio-economic Cognitive factors -Psychological -Attitudinal

Response

Sociological factors Psychological factors Economic factors Legal factors Political factors

Lucas vs. South Carolina

South Carolina's Coastal Zone Management Act (1977) required owners of coast land in "critical areas" near beaches to obtain permits from Respondent South Carolina Coastal Council before committing the land to new uses. The state's Beachfront Management Act (1988), S.C. Code Ann. § 48-39-10 et seq. (1989 Cum. Supp.), increased the regulations on the use of coastal land. Petitioner Lucas purchased beachfront properties in 1986 for $975,000. David H. Lucas owned two vacant oceanfront lots in the Beachwood East Subdivision of the Wild Dunes development on the Isle of Palms in Charleston County, South Carolina. The Beachfront Management Act effectively deprived Petitioner Lucas of his ability to erect homes on his properties. Lucas filed suit asserting that the restrictions on the use of his lots was a taking of his property without just compensation. The lower court agreed and awarded Lucas $1,232,387.50 as just compensation for the regulatory taking. The government of South Carolina appealed, and was reversed by the Supreme Court of South Carolina.

What's covered by HO-3 or standard home owners insurance

Standard homeowners insurance (form HO-3) customarily covers damage to both structures and personal property caused by fire or lightning; windstorm (including hurricanes and tornadoes) or hail; explosions; riot or civil commotion; aircraft; vehicles; smoke; theft or vandalism (sometimes called malicious mischief); falling objects; weight of ice, snow or sleet; and freezing of plumbing, heating, air conditioning or other household systems. It also covers personal liability: if you, your family or your property injures someone. In fact, your coverage is likely to be more comprehensive than the above list. Many homeowners policies cover damage by "just about everything," unless the coverage is specifically excluded. In these cases, it is even more important to understand what is not covered.

The Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act of 2014

is a bill that would delay the increases in flood insurance premiums that were part of the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012. The reforms from that law were meant to require flood insurance premiums to actually reflect the real risk of flooding, which led to an increase in premiums.[3] The National Flood Insurance Program is currently $24 billion in debt and taxpayers will be forced to pay for any additional payouts until that situation is solved.[3] The Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act of 2014 passed in the United States Senate during the 113th United States Congress. A different, but similar, bill that addressed the same issues was introduced and passed in the United States House of Representatives. That bill was the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act of 2013 (H.R. 3370; 113th Congress). Source: Wikipedia

Emergency

is defined as "any occasion or instance for which, in the determination of the President, Federal assistance is needed to supplement State and local efforts and capabilities to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, or to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in any part of the U.S."

The NFIP is essentially a

land use management act

Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2014

prohibits FEMA through the NFIP from implementing Sec. 207 of the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012. Note: Rate increase now being debated in the U. S. Congress.

Lucas v. South Carolina Coastal Council, 505 U.S. 1003 (1992),

was a case in which the Supreme Court of the United States established the "total takings" test for evaluating whether a particular regulatory action constitutes a regulatory taking that requires compensation. Petitioner Lucas sought reversal of the South Carolina Supreme Court judgment, reinstatement of the trial court judgment, and declaration that the Beachfront Management Act constituted a taking. A regulation that deprives an owner of all economically beneficial uses of land constitutes a taking unless the proscribed use interests were not part of the title to begin with. In other words, a law or decree with the effect of depriving all economically beneficial use must do no more than duplicate the result that could have been achieved in the courts under the law of nuisance. The majority argued as follows: (1) Deprivation of all economically beneficial use is, from the perspective of a property owner, deprivation of the property itself. (2) When all economically beneficial use is restricted, it is difficult to assume that the legislature is simply "adjusting" economical benefits and burdens. (3) Regulations that restrict all economically beneficial use may often be a guise of pressing that land into public service. (4) Lucas's lands have been deprived of all economically beneficial use. (5) There is no way to distinguish regulation that "prevents a harmful use" and confers benefits on nearby property. (6) Contrary to Respondent South Carolina's assertion, title is not held subject to the limitation that the state may regulate away all the property's economically beneficial use.