The national risk index: establishing a nationwide baseline for natural hazard risk in the US

Abstract The National Risk Index developed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency provides a relative measurement of community-level natural hazard risk across 50 US states and Washington, DC. leverages authoritative nationwide datasets multiplies values for exposure, annualized frequency, historic loss ratio to derive expected annual estimates 18 types combines this metric with Social Vulnerability Community Resilience scores generate every Census tract county. Scores provide holistic comparable measure US. underlying data are summarized in custom web application. Geographical statistical processing techniques were used reconcile incompatibilities between spatial temporal collection input datasets. index was using multidisciplinary collaborative approach from subject matter experts disciplines target users. builds upon previous efforts develop multi-hazard large geography expanding number considered, applying extensive geoprocessing combine diverse datasets, combining traditional factors community social vulnerability resilience an enhanced picture risk.