HAZUS-MH Hurricane Model Methodology. I: Hurricane Hazard, Terrain, and Wind Load Modeling

An overview of the hurricane hazard model, terrain model, wind pressure, and windborne debris models used in the HAZUS-MH hurricane model is presented. These models represent the first three of five major component models used in HAZUS for the prediction of damage and loss to buildings subjected to hurricanes. The five model components are the hurricane hazard model, terrain model, wind load model, physical damage model, and loss model. These models have been validated, wherever possible, through the use of historical data for landfalling hurricanes, wind tunnel test results, field observations of hurricane induced damage and insurance loss data. The HAZUS hurricane model represents an advancement in the state-of-the-art over other hurricane loss prediction models in that it estimates wind induced loads, building response, damage and loss, rather than simply using historical loss data to model loss as a function of wind speed.