High quality hazard data are becoming increasingly available with advances in data collection technology (e.g., LiDAR) and computer software (e.g., ArcGIS). However, use of this data for planning purposes is limited by local officials’ ability to access the information, interpret it, and apply it in their communities. This is especially true for small and rural communities with less resources (e.g., time, technology, personnel). Additionally, hazard data are typically not paired with social data such as housing affordability, % of community with disabilities, % of community that is non-English speaking. These issues makes it challenging for local planners and emergency officials to use these data to assess local vulnerabilities, define mitigation projects, and plan for future development.
To address these issues, the HCRI works collaborates with communities to develop interactive web platforms that consolidate relevant hazard, infrastructure, and social vulnerability data such that it can be easily understood and used by local officials to reduce hazard risks. This allows communities to engage in the data, have a voice in what data to include and how it appears, and ultimately enables them to plan for hazards and changing conditions.
