Every dollar spent on natural disaster mitigation projects saves $6 on average in post disaster recovery costs, according to a 2018 study by the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS). The study examines four types of disasters: floods, high winds, earthquakes and fires. Unlike many other studies of the benefits of investing in mitigation, the 2018 study examined costs of treating PTSD post-disaster.
But as with all federal spending, the outcomes differ from state to state. This resource includes an interactive summary of costs and benefits by state. Understanding the differences in state- and hazard-specific returns on spending can help state and local policymakers as they evaluate opportunities to invest in mitigation, using both state and federal funding
Ann Stauffer, Pew Foundation, 2018
View ResourceFor a complete copy of the NIBS 2018 report, click here.