Building losses from natural hazards: Yesterday, today and tomorrow

A forecast of building losses resulting from natural hazards was described to be used as a basis for establishing research priorities and public policy directions. The hazards selected for study were earthquake, landslide, expansive soil, hurricane wind/storm surge, tornado, riverine flood, local wind, local flood, and tsunami. Each of the hazards was first modeled and programmed on computers to provide estimates of annual and, in some cases, sudden catastrophic losses which might impart upon the nation's building wealth between 1970 and 2000. Computer modeling was also applied to various mitigations which could be developed and implemented to reduce loss. Potential loss reductions were then projected and evaluations made on both state and national bases.