Our current codes are based on a life safety approach only, for a majority of our buildings, and do not consider the loss of functionality that can result in extensive socioeconomic disruptions and slow recovery after a major hazard event.
The federal government provides a significant amount of disaster relief funds to state and local governments each year for emergency and major disasters. For example, Congress provided roughly $120 billion for Hurricane Katrina and $60 billion for Hurricane Sandy recovery.
Even in years with relatively few major disasters, it is typical for the federal government to annually appropriate between $2 billion and $6 billion to help pay for recovery projects.
Studies and analyses of disasters indicate that there has been an increase in the number of major disasters declared each year. In addition, scholars of disaster policy and other experts such as climatologists expect to increase in both frequency and costs in the near future, with the effects of climate change being considered.