There are many different kinds and sizes of a NAT-CAT:

A. Mega-Events – Flooding (different events causing this), earthquake, and wild fires.  These have occurred more often than not and when they occur they affect very large areas, involving multi-states in a single event &/or so large and devastating event that completely overwhelms a state’s ability to respond. The potential of these events are great and must be addressed.

1. While not exclusive to any one part of the country, specific sections of the country have a higher potential exposure to one or another of these events. 

B. Cluster Events – Groups a series of different individual NAT-CAT events which are individually manageable, but because a number have hit in a close cluster, the NAT-CAT response exceeds the usual & customary response abilities.

C. Single, Narrow Events – A NAT-CAT event that is extraordinary to those it has affected and for those that must respond. It is generally a single event or one that affects many but does not destroy the market (e.g. tornado).

1.  Improvements are always noted after the fact and are significant, but governments and private sector have generally been successful in respond to these circumstances.

For any type of Nat Cat, each local municipality, state, and the federal government must act together and uphold their existing multi-levels of obligation and responsibilities in mitigation, preparedness, emergency response and immediate and long-term recovery.

Government Regulations Documents

Introduction to the FEMA Report (Word document)
FEMA Disaster Relief Payments by State - FY 1995 to FY 2006 (Excel File)

PIA National - Building Codes
White House Letter re: Katrina (PDF file)
White House Chapters 1-7 on Katrina (PDF file)
Appendices (PDF file)
Lessons learned from Katrina (large PDF file)
PIA National’s Comments for NAIC’s Special Task Force on Nat Cat House Commission on Katrina (PDF file)

Updated January 5, 2007