FEMA's New National Risk Index: A Comprehensive Tool for Community Resilience

FEMA Unveils the National Risk Index

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has recently launched its National Risk Index (NRI), an innovative online mapping application designed to identify communities most at risk from 18 types of natural hazards. The NRI not only visualizes risk metrics but also incorporates data on expected annual losses, social vulnerabilities, and community resilience. This tool marks a significant advancement in risk assessment and management, providing a consistent and comprehensive nationwide risk assessment that addresses multiple hazards.

Collaborative Development and Wide-Ranging Applications

Casey Zuzak, a senior risk analyst at FEMA, highlighted the collaborative nature of the NRI's development during a recent Triple-I Resilience Town Hall. The index draws from a wide range of data sources and considers the probabilities or frequencies of natural hazards, as well as the population and property value exposed. Expected annual losses are calculated separately for each hazard and then summed to generate a composite score for all 18. This enables FEMA to engage with communities on specific risks, identify high-impact mitigation opportunities, and optimize the use of risk-management resources.

Enhancing Community Preparedness and Resilience

The NRI is part of an effort to reduce costs and eliminate inconsistent risk assessments for planning. It uses a national baseline risk assessment to identify areas that offer high returns on risk-mitigation investment. The tool can help communities update emergency plans, improve hazard-mitigation plans, prioritize and allocate resources, identify the need for more refined risk assessments, encourage community risk communication and engagement, educate homeowners and renters, support the adoption of enhanced codes and standards, and inform long-term community recovery. Dr. Michel Léonard, CBE, vice president and senior economist for Triple-I, emphasized the importance of the NRI as a valuable addition to the toolkit of risk managers, insurers, policymakers, and others working to create a safer, more resilient world.

For readers, it is recommended to explore the NRI to understand their community's risk profile and engage with local authorities to ensure that emergency and hazard-mitigation plans are up-to-date and effectively address identified risks.