demographics, density disasters “floods are ‘acts of god,’ but flood losses are largely acts...

Demographics, Density Disasters

“Floods are ‘Acts of God,’ but flood losses are largely acts of

man.” –Gilbert White

&

Jo Ann Howard, President, H2O Partners, Inc. info@h2opartnersusa.com

2050439 million

2039400 million

2008304 million

2000281 million

U.S. population increased by 8% from 2000 to 2008

U.S. population

Texas populationIncreased by nearly 2 times the national growth rate

Texas populationIncreased by nearly 2 times the national growth rateTexas also led in terms of numerical growth, increasing by more nearly 3.5 million between 2000 and 2008.

#2

+2.9 million

Texas populationIncreased by nearly 2 times the national growth rateTexas also led in terms of numerical growth, increasing by more nearly 3.5 million between 2000 and 2008.

+4.8%

+3.3%

#1 fastest growing

+16.7% to 24.3 million 2000 to 2008

DiversityBy 2023 More than one-half of those under 18 years of age will be non-Anglos.

By 2042 The US population is projected to be less than one-half Anglo.

By 2050, roughly 30% of the US population will be Hispanic, only slightly less than the percentage in Texas in 2000.

Diversity

By 2030,

roughly 20% of the US populationwill be 65 years of age or older, up from about 12%in 2000.

1 1

Increase in the number of household couples, despite a decrease in household size.

Households are growing in number, but the size of the family is

decreasing.

Housing

More than half of Americans

live within 50 miles of the Atlantic, Pacific, Gulf and Great Lakes on 1/5 of our land area.

By 2025, this number is expected to

increase to 75 percent.

Density

Texas, which leads the nation in population growth, had the highest number of Presidential Disaster Declarations from

1953 to 2009.

States with high vulnerability for flooding are those with floods in most years with damages exceeding

about $8 million dollars in the majority of years.

Flood Risk by State (2009)

Flood damage over $100 million dollars occurs frequently in California, Missouri and Texas, and states with the highest flood losses include

Texas, Louisiana and Florida

*Flood Safety Education Program, www.floodsafety.com/national/life/statistics.htm#biblio%23biblio

U.S. Flood Insurance Loss Statistics (Jan. 1, 1978 – Sept. 30, 2001)*

Socioeconomic trends, not climate change, will continue to drive increasing disaster losses

* Wharton Risk Management and Decision Processes Center

Increase in Disaster Cost *

Flood damage will continue to rise with the nation’s growing population and wealth unless actions are taken to reduce vulnerability

Suggested Future Research Target information and assistance for the most cost-effective pre- and post-disaster activities.

More in-depth analysis of trends using 2010 census data

Compare population concentration for exposure to natural disasters and develop methods of slowing the economic effects of higher concentration and density

Develop and provide communication of natural hazard risks

Develop a baseline standard of acceptable disaster vulnerability to serve as a basis for an action plan

ISO—you

deserve applause

for your work in

assessing risks,

mitigating risks

and reducing risk

across the

country.

Jo Ann Howard, President, H2O Partners, Inc. info@h2opartnersusa.com

Demographics, Density & Disasters