Assessing Disaster Impacts with the Building Science Disaster Support Program

Main Functions

Resource Library

The Building Science Disaster Support (BSDS) Program sends experts to assess the performance of buildings, structures and Community Lifelines after disasters like extreme wind, floods, wildfires, earthquakes and more.

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The Building Science Disaster Support Program has been around for over 30 years. However, it hasn’t always gone by that title – in the past it’s been referred to as the Building Performance Assessment Team Program and the Mitigation Assessment Team Program.

Main Functions

Disaster Readiness (Steady State)

During disaster readiness, the program gathers information about natural hazard events and locations to determine if disaster support is needed.

Disaster Support Operations

Depending on the analysis of the events, the BSDS program can provide Disaster Support Operations by assembling and deploying Mitigation Assessment Teams (MAT) to evaluate the performance of buildings, other structures, and associated community lifelines.

Working closely with federal and state, local, tribal and territorial officials, academia and private sector partners, the MAT develop conclusions and recommendations to improve building, utility and community resilience on the local and state levels.

Technical Assistance

The Building Science Disaster Support Program can also provide Technical Assistance and subject matter expert support for the disaster.

You Have Questions

“How do we build back better?”

“What can we do differently to prevent future damage?"

BSDS Has Answers

Learning from the disaster damage, the BSDS program provides expert support and technical assistance throughout the recovery process.

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Resource Library: Search for Reports and Advisories

This collection contains all available resources produced as a result of the Building Science Disaster Support Program’s recommendations.

These reports, fact sheets and advisories are based on their observation of the impact of natural hazards on the built environment and otherwise.

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Most Recent Reports

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Maintenance and Retrofit Options for Roof Coverings, Opening Protection Systems, and Exterior Building Elements (CNMI MAT 1)

The purpose of this fact sheet is to provide cost-effective ways to reduce disaster damages and increase the life expectancy of residential buildings in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). This fact sheet describes many affordable solutions, including lower-cost maintenance recommendations and higher-cost retrofits.

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Mitigating Wind Damage to Existing Critical Facilities (CNMI Recovery Advisory 2)

This Recovery Advisory provides information to reduce critical facility vulnerability to damage from high wind, including suggestions for assessing the vulnerability of a critical facility to future hazards. The information in this advisory is most useful for retrofits of existing buildings, but also references design guidance appropriate for new construction.

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Permitting and Inspection Process for Disaster-Resilient Residential Homes (CNMI MAT)

This fact sheet informs homeowners or their designated representatives—such as a contractor—about the permitting and inspection process, which helps protect the homes, lands, and natural resources of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). By completing these steps and responsibilities as described, your home will be more resilient to natural disasters.

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Mitigation Assessment Teams: Building Stronger and Safer

Overview of the Mitigation Assessment Team Program.

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Best Practices for Minimizing Wind and Water Infiltration Damage (Hurricane Michael in Florida Recovery Advisory 2)

This Recovery Advisory presents important recommendations to reduce wind and water infiltration damage to new and existing residential buildings.

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Successfully Retrofitting Buildings for Wind Resistance (Hurricane Michael in Florida Recovery Advisory 1)

The purpose of this Recovery Advisory is to present key wind retrofit guidelines for buildings located in hurricane-prone regions.

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Mitigation Assessment Team Report: Hurricane Irma in Florida (FEMA P-2023)

The MAT deployed to Florida assessed the performance of municipal buildings, coastal residential properties, and public facilities. The MAT focused on structures in Lee, Collier, Miami-Dade, and Monroe Counties.

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Mitigation Assessment Team Report: Hurricanes Irma and Maria in Puerto Rico (FEMA P-2020)

The MAT's areas of focused observations included: building codes, standards and regulations; residential and low-rise buildings; schools, critical facilities, photovoltaic (PV) arrays, and solar water heaters.

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FEMA Building Science Resources to Assist with Reconstruction After a Hurricane (English & Spanish)

FEMA has produced numerous publications detailing best practices for natural hazard mitigation associated with hurricane impacts. This flyer summarizes a few of the readily available publications and resources that can be used by homeowners as well as design and construction professionals during reconstruction following hurricanes.

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Elevating Floodprone Buildings Above Minimum NFIP Requirements (Iowa Floods of 2016 Recovery Advisory 1)

This Recovery Advisory reviews how Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) and BFEs are established and provides guidance on elevating buildings above minimum NFIP requirements to minimize flood damage.

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