Killer Buildings in U.S. 'Predictable Surprise'

An "Opinion" article in Emergency Management, while referencing the collapse of unreinforced masonry buildings during the earthquakes in Haiti and Chile, raises the concerns around unreinforced masonry buildings here in the United States. READ MORE

This article does not address the concerns around "soft story" buildings which is perhaps an even a more widespread problem than unreinforced masonry buildings.

HAZUS & Haiti ...

FEMA analysts have adapted HAZUS to assess the January 12, 2010 7.0M earthquake in Haiti, Haz Haiti. Click on graphic to download...







The HAZ Haiti analysis was based on "A GIS-Based Methodology for Exporting the Hazards U.S. (HAZUS) Earthquake Model for Global Applications" . Click on graphic to download...










Related ... Estimating Casualties for Large Earthquakes Worldwide Using an Empirical Approach ... Open-File Report 2009–1136 U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey

DEPICTION - 'What-If' Mapping Software Help for Disasters

UPDATE / 23 Feb 2010

Depiction, Inc. has announced the release of Depiction 1.2—desktop mapping, simulation and collaboration software that anyone can use—and afford. Depiction enables users to imagine, depict and share interactive geospatial scenarios like these and many others.




PRESS RELEASE

DEPICTION WEB SITE

HAZUS.org would like to hear from anybody who has used the Depiction software.

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World's major cities on shaky ground

In 1800, there was just one city with more than a million people -- Beijing. Now there are 381 urban areas with at least 1 million inhabitants. Urbanization crossed a threshold last year when, for the first time, more people lived in city settings than rural ones.

According to a recent study by seismologist Roger Bilham of the University of Colorado, over 400 million people live in cities that face significant seismic hazard. READ MORE

REPORT: The seismic future of cities, Roger Bilham

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Study Calls for More Regional Preparedness

The PNSR study, Recalibrating the System: Toward Efficient and Effective Resourcing of National Preparedness, called upon DHS and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to set up Regional Catastrophic Preparedness Staffs in the national FEMA regions as an extension of the National Preparedness System. READ MORE

Download the report(.pdf)...

National Disaster Recovery Framework - Request for Comments

At the President's request, the Secretaries of Homeland Security and Housing and Urban Development are co-chairing a Long-Term Disaster Recovery Working Group composed of the Secretaries and Administrators of more than 20 departments, agencies and offices. This high-level, strategic initiative will provide operational guidance for recovery organizations as well as make suggestions for future improvement.

Read the purpose statement...

The draft of the National Disaster Recovery Framework (NDRF) is available for review. The comment period will begin next week when the report is also posted to the Federal Register.

The comment period will run from Feb. 5, 2010 through Feb. 26, 2010.

National Disaster Recovery Framework DRAFT

Comment Form...

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HAITI'S KILLER QUAKE: WHY IT HAPPENED - Discovery Channel

Discovery Channel and Science Channel take a closer look at the devastating earthquake that rocked Haiti...

Thursday, February 11th at 9PM ET/PT (look for other dates)

The magnitude 7.0 earthquake that struck Haiti on January 12, 2010 was the strongest to hit the island in over two centuries. Beginning Thursday, February 11, Discovery Channel and Science Channel explore Haiti in the aftermath of the tragic quake, whether it could have been avoided, and what we can learn scientifically from the tragedy.

On Thursday, February 11, 2010 at 9PM ET/PT, Discovery Channel premieres HAITI'S KILLER QUAKE: WHY IT HAPPENED. The special delves deep into the key questions that scientists are racing to answer: Why did the quake happen now? Could it have been predicted? And when and where might the next "big one" strike?

MORE INFO
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