Publications on Natural Hazards

An Economic Development Architecture for New Orleans — 2008

In response to the current situation in New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, this report provides recommendations regarding effective organizational and strategic approaches to revitalizing the city's economy.

Post-Katrina Recovery of the Housing Market Along the Mississippi Gulf Coast — 2008

This RAND Gulf States Policy Institute report describes the pre-Hurricane Katrina housing markets in Mississippi's three coastal counties, the damage they sustained, current status, and what might inhibit recovery.

Assessing Progress in Rebuilding the Housing Market in Mississippi in the Wake of Katrina — 2007

This research brief summarizes a study showing that Hurricane Katrina's damage compounded an affordable-housing shortage and that recovery has been uneven and will take at least another three years with a total estimated cost of more than $4 billion.

The Lender-Placed Flood Insurance Market for Residential Properties — 2007

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) provides the majority of flood insurance on U.S. residential properties. This report provides information about the size of the private flood insurance market and compares private with NFIP policies.

Private Insurers Play a Limited, but Key, Role in Underwriting Residential Flood Insurance — 2007

This research brief summarizes a study that found that the private insurance industry underwrites residential flood insurance in a limited but important niche, protecting more homes, responding to lender and borrower needs, and reducing lender costs.

What Progress Is Mississippi Making in Rebuilding Its Affordable Housing Stock After Katrina? — 2007

This fact sheet summarizes key findings of a comprehensive quantitative assessment of both the extent and nature of Hurricane Katrina damage to the housing stock in Mississippi's coastal counties and progress that has been made toward recovery.

Evaluating National Flood Insurance — 2006

This research brief assesses the nationwide market penetration rate of the Federal Emergency Management Agency-administered National Flood Insurance Program, identifies the contributing factors, and summarizes the benefits of increasing this rate.

From Flood Control to Integrated Water Resource Management: Lessons for the Gulf Coast from Flooding in Other Places in the Last Sixty Years — 2006

Reports the experiences from four major floods since 1948 to draw lessons for the Gulf coast restoration effort.

The National Flood Insurance Program’s Market Penetration Rate: Estimates and Policy Implications — 2006

This report contributes to the Federal Emergency Management Agency's evaluation of the National Flood Insurance Program by assessing the program's market penetration rate and by examining opportunities for increasing this rate.

SB1953 and the Challenge of Hospital Seismic Safety in California — 2006

RAND has updated its analysis of the costs and policy issues surrounding implementation of California SB1953, the state law governing seismic safety for all acute care hospitals.

Protecting Emergency Responders, Volume 3: Safety Management in Disaster and Terrorism Response — 2004

Recommendations are outlined for protecting firefighters, law enforcement officers, emergency medical service responders, and other emergency responders during the aftermath of terrorist attacks, natural disasters, and other large-scale emergency incidents.

Strengthening Research & Development for Wind Hazard Mitigation — 2004

Testimony presented to the Committee on Science of the U.S. House of Representatives on February 9, 2004.

Assessing Federal Research and Development for Hazard Loss Reduction — 2003

Using federal funds for natural hazards research more effectively