About HAZUS

HAZUS^®MH is the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) nationally applicable software program that estimates potential building and infrastructure losses from earthquakes, riverine and coastal floods, and hurricane winds.  HAZUS-MH loss estimates reflect state-of-the-art scientific and engineering knowledge and can be used to inform decision-making at all levels of government by providing a reasonable basis for developing mitigation, emergency preparedness, and response and recovery plans and policies.

HAZUS-MH uses geographic information system software (ArcGIS) to map and display hazard data, the results of damage and economic loss analyses, and potential effects on area populations.  HAZUS-MH analyses also can be run in real time to support response and recovery actions following a disaster event.

The HAZUS Earthquake Model was first released by FEMA in 1997 as HAZUS97, which was subsequently updated three times.  The multihazard version of HAZUS, HAZUS-MH, was first released by FEMA in 2004 and its fourth update, HAZUS-MH MR4, became available in October 2009.

Flood Risk Assessments:  The HAZUS-MH Flood Model is capable of assessing riverine and coastal flooding.  It estimates potential damage and loss to buildings, essential facilities, bridges, vehicles, and agricultural crops.  It also addresses the amount of building debris that will be generated as well as shelter requirements.  The Flood Information Tool (FIT) helps users to prepare local flood hazard and other pertinent data for use in the HAZUS-MH Flood Model.

Earthquake Risk Assessments:  The HAZUS-MH Earthquake Model estimates earthquake damage and loss to buildings, essential facilities, and transportation and utility lifelines.  It also addresses debris generation, fire-following earthquake, casualties, and shelter requirements.  The Advanced Engineering Building Module (AEBM) permits the analysis of individual buildings to measure the effects of various mitigation actions.

Hurricane Wind Risk Assessments:  The HAZUS-MH Hurricane Model allows users in the Atlantic and Gulf Coast regions of the continental United States and Hawaii to estimate potential damage and loss to buildings and essential facilities from hurricane winds.  It also allows users to estimate post-storm shelter needs, and building and tree debris quantities.

Learn More About HAZUS and CDMS

For more information on HAZUS and CDMS, including updates, publications, FAQs, training, user groups and technical support, please visit the FEMA HAZUS website.