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.

alert - info

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.

An email icon.

Connect With Us

Subscribe to our emails to stay informed on the latest happenings in the world of building science.

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.

Illustration of a Document in a Folder

Most Recent Reports

file icon
Hurricane Katrina in the Gulf Coast: Mitigation Assessment Team Report, Building Performance Observations, Recommendations, and Technical Guidance (FEMA 549)

In response to Hurricane Katrina, FEMA deployed a Mitigation Assessment Team (MAT) to evaluate and assess damage from the hurricane and provide observations, conclusions, and recommendations on the performance of buildings and other structures impacted by wind and flood forces. The conclusions and recommendations of the report provide decision-makers with information and technical guidance that can be used to reduce future hurricane damage.

file icon
Hurricane Katrina Recovery Advisories

These eight hurricane recovery advisories are part of the Hurricane Katrina in the Gulf Coast: Mitigation Assessment Team Report, Building Performance Observations, Recommendations, and Technical Guidance (FEMA 549).

file icon
Hurricane Katrina Recovery Advisories (Text Version)

These eight hurricane recovery advisories are part of Hurricane Katrina in the Gulf Coast: Mitigation Assessment Team Report, Building Performance Observations, Recommendations, and Technical Guidance (FEMA 549).

file icon
Hurricane Ivan in Alabama and Florida: Observations, Recommendations and Technical Guidance (FEMA 489)

This report summarizes the observations, conclusions, and recommendations that resulted from post-disaster assessments sponsored by FEMA in response to Florida's 2004 hurricane season. During the 2004 season, the State was struck by Hurricanes Charley, Frances, Jeanne, and Ivan.

file icon
Hurricane Ivan in Alabama and Florida: Observations, Recommendations and Technical Guidance (FEMA 489) Text Version

This report summarizes the observations, conclusions, and recommendations that resulted from post-disaster assessments sponsored by FEMA in response to Florida's 2004 hurricane season. During the 2004 season, the State was struck by Hurricanes Charley, Frances, Jeanne, and Ivan.

file icon
Mitigation Assessment Team Report: Hurricane Charley in Florida (FEMA 488)

This report summarizes the observations, conclusions, and recommendations of the Mitigation Assessment Team (MAT) deployed by FEMA on August 19, 2004, in response to Hurricane Charley. The team assessed damage across the width of the storm track, from its landfall near the communities on Sanibel and Captiva Islands to inland areas around Orlando.

file icon
Mitigation Assessment Team Report: Hurricane Charley in Florida (FEMA 488) Text Version

This report summarizes the observations, conclusions, and recommendations of the Mitigation Assessment Team (MAT) deployed by FEMA on August 19, 2004, in response to Hurricane Charley. The team assessed damage across the width of the storm track, from its landfall near the communities on Sanibel and Captiva Islands to inland areas around Orlando.

file icon
Mitigation Assessment Team Report: Summary Report on Building Performance 2004 Hurricane Season (FEMA 490)

The purpose of this document is to summarize the observations, conclusions, and recommendations that were obtained during post-disaster assessments sponsored by the FEMA Mitigation Division in response to Florida 2004 hurricane season.

file icon
Mitigation Assessment Team Report: Summary Report on Building Performance 2004 Hurricane Season (FEMA 490) Text Version

The purpose of this document is to summarize the observations, conclusions, and recommendations that were obtained during post-disaster assessments sponsored by the FEMA Mitigation Division in response to Florida 2004 hurricane season.

file icon
Hurricane Charley Hurricane Recovery Advisories

These three hurricane recovery advisories are part of the Mitigation Assessment Team (MAT) report for Hurricane Charley (2004) in Florida.

Displaying 71 - 80 of 91
Last updated
Return to top