Program Announcements

FEMA’s Methodology for Estimating Potential Losses from Disasters

2.1 Software Release
Hazus joins the FEMA Map Information eXchange (FMIX)
User Group Announcements
Training Announcements
Conference Announcements

2.1 Software Release

We are pleased to announce that Hazus-MH 2.1 is now available! The 2.1 release includes improvements to the usability and functionality of the software, including:

Hazus-MH 2.1 is now compatible with Windows 7 (32 and 64 bit) Service Pack 1, and Windows XP Service Pack 3.
Hazus-MH 2.1 is now compatible with ArcGIS 10.0 Service Pack 2. Hazus-MH 2.1 runs under Service Pack 3 but is not 100% certified.
The underlying database engine has been upgraded to SQL Server Express 2008 R2.
Menu options in the user interface of the three modules in Hazus-MH (Earthquake, Flood & Hurricane) have been adjusted to provide greater consistency.
IMPLAN default data is no longer provided with Hazus-MH. Users should supply their own data for Indirect Economic Analyses.
New damage and loss of use functions have been developed for hospitals, schools, and fire stations in the Essential Facilities portion of the Hurricane Module.
The windfields for several category 4 and 5 historical storms have been re-analyzed and updated in the Hurricane Module.
In recognition of the uncertainties inherent in hurricane forecasts, the Coastal Surge analysis capability has been disabled for forecast/advisories issued more than 24 hours before the expected time of landfall.
The Flood Module Average Annualized Loss (AAL) analysis has been reactivated with the following changes:
- The 2 and 5 year return period extrapolations have been removed from the methodology.
- The 200-year return period has been replaced by a 25-year return period in the methodology.
- Refer to the Hazus–MH 2.1 Flood Technical Manual for complete details on the Flood AAL methodology.
A riverine level 1 study region automation feature has been added to the Flood Module.
The Flood Module is now processing Manning’s roughness coefficients dynamically based on a LULC grid as part of the Develop Stream Network process.
The Flood Module Hydraulics process has been optimized for scenarios where a suite of return periods is being analyzed.
Occupancy Mapping Schemes have been updated for the Earthquake Module.
The Earthquake Ground Motion Module has been updated to use the latest USGS Next Generation Attenuation (NGA) functions.
The Earthquake Module now includes a feature to analyze study regions greater than the 8 GB limit of SQL Server Express.

To Order Hazus-MH 2.1
Order the latest version of Hazus-MH 2.1 free-of-charge on-line by visiting the FEMA Map Service Center (MSC) Web Store at msc.fema.gov. For more information about how to set-up your account with the MSC and place your order please refer to the Hazus Overview Flyer.

Hazus joins the FEMA Map Information eXchange (FMIX)

The Hazus Program is implementing an improvement in its user support processes that we’d like you to know about. While the Hazus Helpdesk (https://support.hazus.us) is still the main source of providing Hazus user’s with technical support, we are pleased to announce a new partnership with FEMA’s Map Information eXchange (FMIX) to provide additional telephone support. The new partnership with the FMIX will give Hazus users the ability to speak directly with a support representative during normal business hours to follow up on Helpdesk tickets, receive assistance in using the Helpdesk, or get answers to general questions about Hazus.

The toll free phone number for Hazus technical support (1-877-283-8789) has not changed. Starting on Monday, 8/22/11 calls to that number will be automatically redirected to the FMIX. Users can also reach the FMIX directly by calling 1-877-FEMA MAP (1-877-336-2627). FMIX hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 8:00 am until 6:30 pm Eastern Standard Time (Eastern Daylight Time). Self-service options are also available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

User Group Announcements

2012 National Conference Calls
- March 20
- Leadership Call
  1:00- 2:00 pm Eastern Time
- Topic Specific Call
  3:00- 4:00 pm Eastern Time
- To participate in a call please contact Jamie Caplan at jamie@jamiecaplan.com or visit
  www.usehazus.com/hugs/calls/
National Conference Call Schedule
Bert Struik, 4^th Quarter Hazus User of the Year 2011
- Past Hazus Users of the Year Award Winners

Training Announcements

Basic Hazus-MH, E313
- April 2, 2012 – April 5, 2012
Hazus-MH for Earthquake, E176
- April 23, 2012 - April 26, 2012
ArcGIS for Emergency Managers, E190
- April 30, 2012- May 3, 2012

Visit the Hazus Training Page for more information including the course schedule, course descriptions, and instructions for enrollment.

Conference Announcements

Conference	Dates	Location	Hazus Involvement
ESRI Federal Users Conf.	Jan 19- Jan 21, 2011	Washington, DC	Hazus Presentation “Hazus for Risk Analysis: Communities Factor Hazards into Mitigation Plans”
NADO	Mar 20- Mar 23, 2011	Arlington, VA	Roundtable Discussion-TBD.
APA Planning Conf.	Apr 9- Apr 12, 2011	Boston, MA	Booth
National Hurricane Conf.	Apr 18- Apr 22, 2011	Atlanta, GA	Hazus Collateral, Pull up banners
National Flood Conf.	May 1- May 4, 2011	New Orleans, LA	Hazus Collateral, Pull up banners-TBD
ASFPM	May 15- May 20, 2011	Louisville, KY	Booth and presentation TBD
COM.geo	May 23- May 25, 2011	Washington, DC	Hazus presence
Solutions for Coastal Disasters Conference	Jun 25- Jun 29, 2011	Anchorage, AK	Hazus Presentation
ESRI International Conf.	Jul 11- Jul 15, 2011	San Diego, CA	Booth

Last Modified: Wednesday, 14-Mar-2012 16:10:08 EDT

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Federal Emergency Management Agency
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
500 C Street SW, Washington, D.C. 20472
(202) 646-2500

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