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Hazard Assessment Tool
Example Tools
Should I Use HAT?

Hazard Assessment Tool

Example Tools

The hazard assessment tools described below were developed by the Center in partnership with local agencies. In each case, the Center worked with the partner to determine how the tool should function.

Volusia and Brevard Counties, FL Hazard Locator Tool

hat tool example

  • Partners: Volusia and Brevard County Emergency Management Agencies.
  • Audience: County residents.
  • Purpose: Educate residents about the potential hazards that could affect their homes, businesses, etc. After entering their address, residents are given their potential hazard risk, a description of what the risk means, and general information about each of the hazards.
  • Data: Storm surge, flood, wind and erosion. Roads and boundaries.
  • Web address: www.csc.noaa.gov/rvat (click on "Use the Hazards Locator Tool")


Tutuila Hazard Assessment Tool
hat tool example

  • Partners: American Samoa Coastal Management Program
  • Audience: Planning and Permitting Department staff members, and residents applying for building permits
  • Purpose: Provide an initial quick assessment of hazards to inform staff and residents of potential hazard risk. This assessment is a precursor to site visits by permitting staff. Once the visit is complete and staff have performed a more detailed analysis, the initial assessment is used in the site visit report.
  • Data: Flood, tsunami, landslide, and earthquake (ground shaking). Roads, building footprints, villages, and boundaries.
  • Web Address: www.csc.noaa.gov/t_hat. (Note: the tool is hosted locally by the coastal program. This URL is for demonstration purposes only.)

Kauai Hazard Assessment Tool hat tool example

  • Partners: Kauai County, Hawaii Division of Design and Permitting
  • Audience: Internal Division of Design and Permitting staff members, and residents applying for building permits
  • Purpose: Assist staff in determining the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Digital Flood Insurance Rate Map (DFIRM) flood zone(s) for a parcel, as well as determining whether the parcel is in a special management area and a tsunami evacuation zone. Prior to this tool, staff were using mylar overlays to determine the flood zone of a parcel. Once a report is generated for a parcel, the information is used to trigger certain permitting processes and forms based on the results of the tool.
  • Data: FEMA DFIRM, special management areas, tsunami evacuation zones, parcels, roads, satellite imagery
  • Web Address: http://maps.csc.noaa.gov/khat/