What is "hazus"

Hazus is a geographic information system-based natural hazard analysis tool developed and freely distributed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

In 1997 FEMA released its first edition of a commercial off-the-shelf loss and risk assessment software package built on GIS technology. This product was termed HAZUS97. The current version is Hazus-MH V2.0 where MH stands for 'Multi-Hazards' and was released in 2004. Currently, Hazus can model four types of hazards: flooding, hurricanes, coastal surge, and earthquakes. The model estimates the risk in three steps. First, it calculates the exposure for a selected area. Second, it characterizes the level or intensity of the hazard affecting the exposed area. Lastly, it uses the exposed area and the hazard to calculate the potential losses in terms of economic losses, structural damage, etc.

Although it was developed with the US continent in focus, the Hazus toolset has been adopted by emergency management organizations worldwide such as Singapore, Canada, Australia, and Pakistan.