Assessing Disaster Impacts with the Building Science Disaster Support Program

Main Functions

Resource Library

The Building Science Disaster Support (BSDS) Program sends experts to assess the performance of buildings, structures and Community Lifelines after disasters like extreme wind, floods, wildfires, earthquakes and more.

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The Building Science Disaster Support Program has been around for over 30 years. However, it hasn’t always gone by that title – in the past it’s been referred to as the Building Performance Assessment Team Program and the Mitigation Assessment Team Program.

Main Functions

Disaster Readiness (Steady State)

During disaster readiness, the program gathers information about natural hazard events and locations to determine if disaster support is needed.

Disaster Support Operations

Depending on the analysis of the events, the BSDS program can provide Disaster Support Operations by assembling and deploying Mitigation Assessment Teams (MAT) to evaluate the performance of buildings, other structures, and associated community lifelines.

Working closely with federal and state, local, tribal and territorial officials, academia and private sector partners, the MAT develop conclusions and recommendations to improve building, utility and community resilience on the local and state levels.

Technical Assistance

The Building Science Disaster Support Program can also provide Technical Assistance and subject matter expert support for the disaster.

You Have Questions

“How do we build back better?”

“What can we do differently to prevent future damage?"

BSDS Has Answers

Learning from the disaster damage, the BSDS program provides expert support and technical assistance throughout the recovery process.

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Resource Library: Search for Reports and Advisories

This collection contains all available resources produced as a result of the Building Science Disaster Support Program’s recommendations.

These reports, fact sheets and advisories are based on their observation of the impact of natural hazards on the built environment and otherwise.

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Most Recent Reports

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Mitigation Assessment Team Report: Hurricane Harvey in Texas (FEMA P-2022)

The Mitigation Assessment Team Report provides observations on the building performance during Hurricane Harvey in Texas. The report offers recommendations and technical guidance for future disaster mitigation efforts. Hurricane Harvey was a Category 4 hurricane that dropped up to 70 inches of rain, causing significant damage and flooding.

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Mitigation Assessment Team Report: Hurricane Ian in Florida Building Performance, Observations, Recommendations, and Technical Guidance (FEMA P-2342)

This report presents the findings and recommendations of the Mitigation Assessment Team (MAT) following Hurricane Ian in Florida. The report provides observations on building performance, recommendations for mitigation and resilience, and technical guidance for stakeholders.

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Mitigation Assessment Team Report: Hurricane Michael in Florida (FEMA P-2077)

This report presents the findings of a mitigation assessment team (MAT) deployed to Florida in response to Hurricane Michael, which made landfall on October 10, 2018. The report provides observations on building performance during the hurricane, recommendations for improving building resilience, and technical guidance for policymakers and building professionals.

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Mitigation Assessment Team Report: Hurricanes Irma and Maria in the U.S. Virgin Islands (FEMA P-2021)

This report presents the findings of the Mitigation Assessment Team (MAT) in the U.S. Virgin Islands following Hurricanes Irma and Maria. The team observed significant damage to buildings and infrastructure, highlighting the need for improved building codes and mitigation measures.

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Urban Flooding: Guidance for Homeowners and Renters

This guidance document provides information and advice for homeowners and renters in Cook County, Illinois, on mitigating urban flooding. The document discusses the causes of urban flooding, lessons learned from past events, and efforts to mitigate flooding in the Greater Chicago region.

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Codes, Standards, and Permitting (Maui Wildfires Summary Report #1)

This summary report focuses on the performance of one- and two-family residential buildings impacted by the August 2023 wildfires on Maui. The performance of residential buildings varied depending on their design, construction type and quality, geographic location, siting, development density, landscape vegetation, distance to other surrounding flammable materials, and maintenance history. Several homes sustained damage from wind as well as fire, including wind damage to roof coverings, windows, and doors.

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Designing New Residential Structures to Decrease Wildfire Risk (Maui Wildfires Recovery Advisory #3)

This Recovery Advisory, focused on one- and two-family dwellings, presents important fire safety recommendations for design professionals, including architects, engineers, installation professionals and contractors to reduce the likelihood of ignition and structure-to-structure fire spread in single family homes during a wildfire, where building setbacks and defensible space may be limited.

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Fire-Resistant Materials and Assemblies (Maui Wildfires Recovery Advisory #4)

Homeowners, business owners, design professionals and builders in wildfire-prone regions can benefit from understanding general fire resistance characteristics of common construction materials and building products. This Recovery Advisory aims to provide a list of materials that can withstand higher exposure and help slow the spread of fire, but it is important to remember that fire-resistant does not mean fire-proof.

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Performance of Residential Buildings (Maui Wildfires Summary Report #2)

This summary report focuses on the performance of one- and two-family residential buildings impacted by the August 2023 wildfires on Maui. The performance of residential buildings varied depending on their design, construction type and quality, geographic location, siting, development density, landscape vegetation, distance to other surrounding flammable materials, and maintenance history. Several homes sustained damage from wind as well as fire, including wind damage to roof coverings, windows, and doors.

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Reducing Wildfire Risk to Your Home (Maui Wildfires Recovery Advisory #2)

Defensible space is an area with limited combustibles surrounding your home that helps to reduce the chance that your home will catch fire during a wildfire event. Defensible space is up to 100 feet from your home and slows or stops the progression of wildfire. Defensible space, coupled with structural hardening, is critical to increasing your home’s likelihood of surviving a wildfire.

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