(TLP:CLEAR) FEMA Releases Hazus 7.2, Adds Earthquake ShakeMap Model

Summary: Last week, FEMA released Hazus 7.2, an upgraded version of its standardized risk-assessment software tool for natural hazards. FEMA’s Hazus program uses geographic information systems (GIS), hazard data, and building/infrastructure inventories to estimate the impacts of events such as floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, and tsunamis. Hazus can be used in all phases of emergency management.

According to FEME, Hazus 7.2 provides emergency managers, planners, and researchers with enhanced risk assessment information and modeling for communities throughout the U.S. In addition to existing hurricane and flood hazard support, in Hazus 7.2 users can now model earthquake scenarios with the U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS’s) Earthquake Hazards Program’s ShakeMap model. ShakeMap is a resource tool that collects seismic data in real-time and can provide potential impacts of catastrophic events using USGS’s earthquake modeling scenarios.

FEMA’s press release notes the earthquake capability in Hazus 7.2 bridges the gap left behind by Hazus 6.1., which FEMA no longer supports due to the retirement of its supporting system, ArcGIS Desktop, in March 2026. FEMA encourages users to download Hazus 7.2.

Download Hazus 7.2 by visiting the FEMA Flood Map Service Center. Read the Hazus Release Notes on FEMA.gov for more information about this Hazus release.

Analyst Note: WaterISAC encourages water and wastewater utility staff involved in emergency management to leverage Hazus and other preparedness tools, such as FEMA’s Resilience Analysis and Planning Tool (RAPT), because they provide data-driven insights that help reduce risk, make informed decisions, and improve operational resilience before, during, and after disasters.

Key benefits for utilities leveraging this tool include:

• Risk assessment and planning
• Estimating potential damage
• Emergency preparedness
• Resource allocation
• Improved response and recovery to natural hazards
• Support for funding and mitigation efforts

Original Source: https://msc.fema.gov/portal/resources/hazus

Additional Reading:

• FEMA – Resilience Analysis and Planning Tool (RAPT)

Related WaterISAC PIRs: 16 & 17