GIS for Hazard Mitigation

The role of mitigation is to prepare for and minimize the impact of events on people and property. Before preparation can begin you must first have a clear understanding of what and where those risks are. GIS fills this need by identifying geographic areas both historically affected by hazards and likely to be affected in the future. Moreover, it will quantify the impact of events on surrounding assets, such as homes, schools, or infrastructure. "What if" scenarios can be developed that measure potential reductions in losses by various mitigation measures. For example, if improving drainage in a particular area would reduce flooding by a certain depth, how many homes would be protected from flooding and what would be the value of the avoided flood losses?