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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Elevating Floodprone Buildings Above Minimum NFIP Requirements (Iowa Floods of 2016 Recovery Advisory 1)

This Recovery Advisory reviews how Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) and BFEs are established and provides guidance on elevating buildings above minimum NFIP requirements to minimize flood damage.

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Elevating Residential Structures within Special Flood Hazard Areas (Iowa Floods of 2016 Recovery Advisory 2)

In preparation for similar riverine flood hazards, FEMA offers this advisory to residential property owners interested in reducing their flood risk and potentially lowering their NFIP flood insurance premiums for residential buildings located in Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA).

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Flood Protection and Elevation of Building Utilities (Iowa Floods of 2016 Recovery Advisory 4)

This Recovery Advisory addresses houses that were not Substantially Damaged during the floods of 2016 and are not undergoing Substantial Improvement.

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Flood Protection for Backup and Emergency Power Fuel Systems (Iowa Floods of 2016 Recovery Advisory 5)

This Recovery Advisory provides building owners, operators, facility managers, and designers with information on mitigation actions that can help protect power systems, and fuel supplies from flood damage.

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Flood Protection for Critical and Essential Facilities (Iowa Floods of 2016 Recovery Advisory 3)

This Recovery Advisory provides flood mitigation information and recommendations to improve the functionality of critical facilities by reducing the vulnerability of essential systems and equipment to flooding.

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Hurricane Sandy Issue Paper"- Guidance for Turning the Power Back On (Spanish Version)

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Hurricane Sandy in New Jersey and New York MAT Report, Recovery Advisories & Fact Sheets (FEMA P-942)

This ZIP file contains the Mitigation Assessment Team (MAT) report and appendices, the recovery advisories, and two fact sheets regarding Hurricane Sandy in New Jersey and New York.

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Tornado: Moore, Oklahoma, May 20, 2013 (FEMA P-1020)

This formal observation report presents the observations, conclusions, and recommendations in response to field investigations conducted after the EF-5 tornado that impacted Moore, Oklahoma, on May 20, 2013. The post-storm investigation team focused its efforts on safe rooms and storm shelters in the path of the tornado in order to analyze their performance, functionality, and use.

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Mitigation Assessment Team Report – Spring 2011 Tornadoes: April 25-28 and May 22 (FEMA P-908)

This report presents the MATs observations, conclusions, and recommendations in response to those field investigations. The mission of the MATs was to assess the performance of structures affected by the tornadoes, investigate safe room and shelter performance in the affected areas, and describe the lessons learned to help future efforts to more successfully mitigate tornado events.

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Critical Facilities Located in Tornado-Prone Regions: Recommendations for Architects and Engineers (Tornado Recovery Advisory 6)

Critical facilities are emergency operations centers (EOCs), fire and police stations, hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and other buildings that are essential for the delivery of vital services or protection of a community.

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