Estimating Tropical Cyclone Vulnerability: A Review of Different Open-Source Approaches

Abstract Tropical cyclone (TC) risk assessments are critical for disaster preparedness and response. Alongside hazard exposure, accurate TC assessment requires understanding the vulnerability of populations assets. In this chapter, we examine multiple methods that have been used to assess quantify with a focus on open-source methods. We separately discuss structural, economic, social (or demographic) approaches. Structural assesses susceptibility buildings be affected by their exposure hazards; in section, provide detailed overview how FEMA’s Hazus model quantifies damages utilizing engineering principles. Economic employs regression analysis relate wind speeds damages; discussion explores typical functional forms represent such efforts constrain parameters these functions. Finally, approaches use demographic data characterize varying risk; some representative examples methodology. conclude comparative three classes methods, suggest directions future work, ask whether different can combined yield more holistic view both human structural aspects vulnerability.