NATURAL HAZARD LOSSES IN THE UNITED STATES: A PUBLIC PROBLEM |
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| Authors: | William J. Petak Arthur A. Atkisson |
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| Affiliation: | WILLIAM J. PETAK is an Associate Professor of Systems Management atthe University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California. His latest book with arthur. Atkisson is Natural Hazard Risk Assessment ona Public Policy: Anticipating the Unexpected.;ARTHUR A. ATKISSON was a Professor and Chairman of the Department of Public Administration and Environmental Affairs at the University of Wisconsin at Green Bay. In addition to co-authorship of the book Natural Hazard Risk Assessment and Public Policy: Anticipating the Unexpected, he had written extensively on environmental policy and natural disaster policy. Dr . Atkisson aied November 6, 1983 following a heart attack. |
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| Abstract: | Using arisk analysis and evaluation approach, the authors estimate losses from nine major natural hazards in the United States. The data show that these probable losses exceed those of many other national social problems, including fire and crime. The article also examines geographic and social distributions of estimated losses. States in the upper quartile of hazard exposure are likely to account for 50 percent of the increase in dollar losses over the next 30 years. Consistent with prior research, the most dependent segments of the population (poor, elderly, non-white) will proportionately suffer the most. While policy options pose inherently difficult choices, many promising avenues have yet to be fully explored. |
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