[H-DS10] Literacy for Disaster Risk Reduction

[HDS10-P01] Empowering Gulf Coast Communities: HazardAware - A Groundbreaking Webtool for Hazard Mitigation

*Rubayet Bin Mostafiz¹, Ayat Al Assi¹, Carol J Friedland¹ (1.Lahouse Research and Education Center, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center)

Keywords:Natural Hazards, Hazard Mitigation Techniques, Gulf of Mexico, Disaster Risk Reduction, Risk Communication, Web Tool

HazardAware emerges as a transformative webtool, addressing the mounting hazard challenges plaguing Gulf of Mexico Coast communities in the United States. With a mission to democratize hazard data, HazardAware empowers individuals to make informed housing decisions and effectively mitigate risk. Offering a comprehensive suite of information on a multitude of natural hazards—floods, winds, severe thunderstorms, lightning, tornadoes, extreme cold, hail, wildfires—alongside risk factors, vulnerability assessments, and mitigation strategies, HazardAware equips users with the knowledge necessary to bolster the resilience of their homes and communities. Leveraging historical hazard occurrence data and cutting-edge analytical tools, HazardAware provides insights into average annual loss for each hazard, identifies top hazards, examines historical risks, forecasts federal disaster recovery funding prospects, anticipates future hazard risks, evaluates community-level vulnerabilities, and suggests resilience measures. With its intuitive user interface and unwavering focus on accessibility, HazardAware stands as a beacon of empowerment, enabling both residents and community planners to proactively prepare for and mitigate the impact of natural hazards. Underpinned by its motto, "Know Your Risk. Be Risk Ready", HazardAware invites users to delve into hazard risks and preparation options for homes along the Gulf Coast, fostering a culture of resilience and preparedness in regions prone to hazards.