Includes bibliographical references (pages 167-179).
Machine generated contents note: CHAPTER 1 THE CHANGING NATURE OF RISKS AND HAZARDS by Susan L. Cutter Hazard, Risk, and Disaster, 2 Evolving Theories and Concepts, 4 Mutual Interests, Divergent Paths, 9 Moving from Theory to Practice, 11 Conclusion, 12 CHAPTER 2 METHODS FOR DETERMINING DISASTER PRONENESS 13 by Arleen A. Hill and Susan L. Cutter Vulnerability and the Potential for Loss, 13 Methods of Assessment, 16 Conclusion, 35 CHAPTER 3 MAPPING AND THE SPATIAL ANALYSIS OF HAZARDSCAPES 37 by Michael E. Hodgson and Susan L. Cutter Informational Needs and Inputs, 37 Improvements in Data Coverage and Accuracy, 42 The Science and Art of Mapping, 46 Spatial Analysis and the GIS, 50 Distributing Geographic Information, 54 A Word of Caution About Hazards Mapping, 59 CHAPTER 4 DATA, DATA EVERYWHERE, BUT CAN WE REALLY USE THEM? 61 by Deborah S.K. Thomas Need for Systematic Primary Data Collection, 62 Centralized Data and Information Dissemination, 63 Why Data May Not Be Meaningful, Even If Collected, 64 Issues of Data Sharing, 66 Available Databases for Estimating Loss, 67 Conclusion, 76 CHAPTER 5 TRENDS IN DISASTER LOSSES 77 by Jerry T. Mitchell and Deborah S.K. Thomas Building the Hazard Events and Losses Database, 78 Historical Losses from Hazards, 79 Trends in Specific Hazards, 84 Conclusion, 112 CHAPTER 6 WHICH ARE THE MOST HAZARDOUS STATES? 115 By Deborah S.K. Thomas and Jerry T. Mitchell Geographic Scale and Loss Information, 116 Losses from All Hazard Types, 116 Spatial Variation in Hazard Events and Losses, 119 Regional Ecology of Damaging Events, 146 Conclusion, 153 CHAPTER 7 CHARTING A COURSE FOR THE NEXT TWO DECADES 157 By Susan L. Cutter Taking Stock, 157 Vulnerability Science, 159 National Database on Hazard Events and Losses, 160 National Loss Inventory/Natural Hazard Events Data Clearinghouse, 162 The Whole Is Greater Than the Sum of the Parts, 163 REFERENCES 167 APPENDIXES A Selected Hazard Assessment Models 183 B Top States in Events and Losses by Individual Hazard 191.