The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reports there were more than 1,200 tornadoes in 2020, leading to the highest tornado death rate in almost a decade. A deadly tornado outbreak affected the Southeastern United States on Easter Sunday and Monday, causing 32 fatalities. This was part of a larger severe convective storm (SCS) that affected the Plains, Midwest, and Mid-Atlantic states, and it led to at least $3 billion in insured losses. Data shows that on August 10, the derecho that slammed the Midwest was the costliest SCS in U.S. history, causing $11 billion in damage, according to the National Weather Service. Since tornadoes and wind-heavy storms can happen anywhere at any time, it is important to learn how to mitigate the damage caused by these disasters.

In this webinar, we will discuss:

• General tips & information on how to stay prepared in the event of a tornado/wind storm
• Wind mitigation for homes
• Wind insurance

Oregon could experience a magnitude-8.7 or larger earthquake in the next 50 years.

This webinar will present key findings in a case study by the Multi-Hazard Mitigation Council (MMC) of the National Institute of Building Sciences that estimates the benefits of a seismically resilient runway at Portland International Airport (PDX).

Using NIBS’ groundbreaking Natural Hazard Mitigation Saves research, MMC found that an upgraded resilient runway at PDX could:

• Save up to $50 for every $1 invested on mitigation
• Protect lives, speed the re-occupancy of homes and businesses, and reduce business interruption
• Be better able to resist large earthquakes on the Cascadia Subduction Zone
• Greatly improve the region’s response and recovery efforts

MMC published four editions of the Natural Hazard Mitigation Saves study between 2005 to 2019. It found that mitigation saves up to $13 per $1 invested (national average) across multiple kinds of disasters and a wide variety of approaches. These include adopting up-to-date building codes, exceeding codes, and retrofitting existing private- and public-sector buildings, utilities, and transportation infrastructure. The PDX case study extends Natural Hazard Mitigation Saves by shedding light on the fragility and the value of resilient air transportation.

Mitigation is the sustained action that reduces or eliminates long-term risk to people and property from natural hazards and their effects. Over the last decade, the United States has seen a shift in emergency management from relief and response to reducing hazard risk. Key points in this effort are building resilient communities and creating community-based disaster management plans.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (2020), the nation has averaged 14 floods, wildfires, and other disasters every year for the last five years. These disasters annually cost America $106 billion.

The NIBS 2019 Natural Hazard Mitigation Saves Report has found that adopting the latest building code requirements is affordable and saves $11 per $1 invested. Furthermore, the study found that federal grants save $6 per $1 cost. Since 1995, public-sector investment in mitigation by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Economic Development Administration, and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development cost the country $27 billion but will ultimately save $160 billion, meaning $6 saved for every dollar invested.

Join our esteemed panel as they discuss the importance of hazard mitigation in the United States. This session will include:

• Latest development of the FEMA Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC)
• Key features of the HUD Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
• Discussion on national policy and priorities on disaster preparedness and response
• Resources on how state emergency managers and communities best utilize the federal grants

The Innovation and Technology showcased provides an excellent opportunity not only for Government officials, Prime Contractors and Project Managers to source suppliers but also for Actuaries wanting to remain at the forefront of risk management and investors with a desire to prevent destruction and help the environment while achieving a financial return.

This session of the Infrastructure 2022 webinar series will highlight disaster preparation projects to address worsening natural disasters. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) is the largest-ever federal investment in climate change.

The IIJA earmarked $8 billion for wildfire management, $6 billion for drought management, $8.3 billion for water storage and sanitation, and $12.5 billion for flood mitigation. Funds will be filtered through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and U.S. Department of the Interior to state and local governments.

Join our expert panel, as they discuss community resilience, the role infrastructure plays, challenges and opportunities, and perspectives from researchers, practitioners, federal programs, and policymakers.

NIBS NEHRP AND NWIRP CONGRESSIONAL BRIEFING

National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP)
National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program (NWIRP)
National Institute of Building Sciences

in cooperation with the
United States House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology

Nearly half of all Americans live and work in high seismic regions throughout the United States. These regions currently have $108 trillion of national building assets and the work of NEHRP must continue to mitigate risk from earthquakes.

Separately, windstorms are responsible for 60% of the nation’s total damage from natural disasters. Human and economic recovery from these events can take years, even decades. The negative impacts from windstorm damage will only increase as “Tornado Alley” creeps eastward, making future risk mitigation from the work of NWIRP just as crucial.

NEHRP and NWIRP rely upon the nation’s experts to conduct applied and basic research, share cutting-edge knowledge with community stakeholders, and take action to protect American lives and livelihoods through prevention, preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation practices. Both programs enable our nation’s security and prosperity.

 

 

The National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS), a Congressionally chartered building science organization, along with our partners, invite you to an important and time-sensitive briefing where we will:

• Share and celebrate some of the success stories that Congress, lead agencies, and the private sector have collaboratively achieved over the past 46 years. Speaker: John Hooper, a National Academy of Engineering member and leader in building code and standard development (see page 3 of Briefing Summary).
• Discuss the future of community resilience requirements. Speaker: Dr. Daniel Kaniewski, former Deputy Administrator for Resilience with FEMA and leader in emergency management, insurance, and policy (see pages 4-5 of Briefing Summary).
• Share and describe recommended Congressional priorities for advancing our nation’s safety, preparedness, and resilience. Speaker: Dr. Lucy Arendt, Chair of the NEHRP Advisory Committee on Earthquake Hazards Reduction (see pages 6-7 of Briefing Summary).

Hon. Stephen T. Ayers, FAIA, NAC, CCM, LEED AP
Interim CEO, NIBS
11^th Architect of Capitol

Supporting Organizations:
American Institute of Architects (AIA)
American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC)
American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA)
American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
Applied Technology Council (ATC)
BuildStrong America
California Residential Mitigation Program (CRMP)
Cascadia Region Earthquake Workgroup (CREW)
Central United States Earthquake Consortium (CUSEC)
Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute (CRSI)
International Code Council (ICC)
International Institute of Building Enclosure Consultants (IIBEC)
Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS)
Reinsurance Association of America (RAA)
National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA)
National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS)
National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE)
Seismological Society of America (SSA)
Steel Tube Institute (STI)
U.S. Chamber of Commerce