For millions of people in the U.S., the consequences of natural disasters have become increasingly real, personal and devastating. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 2017 was the costliest year on record for natural disasters in the U.S., with a price tag of at least $306 billion.
Requests for federal disaster aid increased tenfold compared to 2016, with 4.7 million people registering with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). These once-rare events are becoming more common and costlier according to NOAA. Hurricane Harvey’s record flooding in Houston was the city’s third 500-year flood event in as many years. Now, with the nation’s attention on rebuilding the Carolinas after Hurricane Florence and the Florida Panhandle after Hurricane Michael, it’s time to rethink the way we build to meet the challenge of the next natural disaster.
Disaster mitigation works and is cost effective. Spending time and money up front to reduce the likelihood of loss during a natural hazard event can provide significant benefits to building owners and communities, including lower insurance costs, higher property values, security to residents, maintaining a consistent tax base and minimizing the cost of disaster response and recovery. This seminar will offer a view on emerging risks and opportunities as human and economic losses from disasters increase, with the overarching goal of supporting and advancing resilience in future construction.
