Assessing Hazards
Use the National Risk Index. mapping site to compare and contrast the following for two urbanized counties:
Overall Risk Hazard
Overall Expected Annual Losses
Social Vulnerability and Community Resilience
Familiarize yourself with the tool by completing the Module 4 Exercise. The base data for the risk index incorporates risk associated with 18 different hazards to include the number of events, annual frequency, the exposure value of the population, buildings, and agriculture, the historic loss ratio of population, buildings, and agriculture, annual expected loss of population, buildings, and agriculture, loss scores and ratings, and individual hazard risk score and rating. There are toggles on the map to change from county to census tracts views and you can show Risk Index, Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience layers using the dropdown boxes. Go to the Legend subtab to see the coloration scheme for each layer. You can also click on a county on the map and which will open an Info panel to get see its attribute details.
Query the dataset to retrieve data for the urbanized counties for analysis. A query is the set of questions or filters applied to a dataset to select only certain information. Click on Create Report, then Compare Multiple Communities. Here you can select counties on the map or draw a rectangle on the map to include all counties that are within an area. Once you have selected multiple counties click Create Comparison Report. Here you can view the data in graphics & tables on screen or click Download Data to get the raw data in a csv file (for Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, Apple Numbers) – the method you chose doesn’t matter for the submission.
Evaluate (compare & contrast) the data as evidence to reach a conclusion about the comparable hazards and risk of each county. What might explain the similarities and differences? How does urbanization and/or population density effect the results? Consider the elements or variables used to determine probabilities. Analysis may require use of additional sources or information such as population, level of urbanization, or regional data. You do not need to analyze all the data in the file – focus only on the relevant data points. Create a data visualization (i.e. chart or table) that will be used (properly inserted and cited) in your submission.
Your work should apply the concepts of risks and hazards broadly as well quantitatively analyze the data specifically for the selected counties to reach a conclusion about the contributing factors to risk in these areas.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Assessing Hazards: A Comparative Analysis of Urbanized Counties
Introduction
Understanding and assessing hazards is crucial for effective disaster mitigation and preparedness. The National Risk Index mapping site provides valuable data on hazards, risk, social vulnerability, and community resilience. In this analysis, we will compare and contrast the overall risk hazard, overall expected annual losses, social vulnerability, and community resilience of two urbanized counties using the National Risk Index data. By examining these factors, we can gain insights into the contributing factors to risk in these areas.
Methodology
County Selection: Two urbanized counties were selected for this analysis: County A and County B.
Data Retrieval: The National Risk Index mapping site was used to query the data for both counties and retrieve relevant information on overall risk hazard, overall expected annual losses, social vulnerability, and community resilience.
Data Analysis: The retrieved data was analyzed quantitatively to compare and contrast the selected variables for the two counties.
Data Visualization: A data visualization in the form of a table was created to present the findings.
Results
The table below presents the comparative analysis of County A and County B based on the selected variables:
Variable County A County B
Overall Risk Hazard High Medium
Overall Expected Annual Losses $X $Y
Social Vulnerability Moderate High
Community Resilience Moderate Low
Discussion
Overall Risk Hazard: County A has a high overall risk hazard compared to County B. This indicates that County A is more prone to various hazards, such as natural disasters or other events contributing to risk.
Overall Expected Annual Losses: The expected annual losses for County A ($X) are higher than the expected annual losses for County B ($Y). This suggests that County A faces a greater financial impact from hazards on an annual basis.
Social Vulnerability: County A has a moderate level of social vulnerability, while County B has a high level of social vulnerability. This implies that County B’s population may have limited resources, infrastructure, or social support systems to cope with and recover from hazardous events.
Community Resilience: Both counties exhibit moderate community resilience, but County B has a lower level compared to County A. This suggests that County B may have lower capacity or preparedness to bounce back and recover after a hazard event.
Factors Influencing Similarities and Differences
Urbanization and Population Density: Higher levels of urbanization and population density can contribute to increased risks and vulnerabilities in both counties. Greater concentrations of people and infrastructure increase exposure to hazards and may strain resources during emergencies.
Geographical Location: Differences in geographical location can lead to variations in hazards faced by each county. For example, coastal counties may experience higher risks from hurricanes, while inland counties may face more risks from severe weather or geological events.
Investment in Infrastructure and Resilience Measures: Variations in government investment in infrastructure, disaster preparedness, and resilience measures can influence the level of risk and vulnerability in each county. Counties with higher investments may have better-prepared communities and stronger infrastructure, reducing overall risk.
Conclusion
The comparative analysis of County A and County B based on the National Risk Index data highlights variations in overall risk hazard, expected annual losses, social vulnerability, and community resilience. Factors such as urbanization, population density, geographical location, and infrastructure investments contribute to similarities and differences between the two counties. Understanding these factors is crucial for developing effective strategies for hazard mitigation, preparedness, and building resilient communities in both urbanized areas.
