Representatives from the banking, hazard risk analysis and emergency management sectors discuss the application of accurate risk data and resilient infrastructure to natural disaster response
IRVINE, Calif., September 30, 2013—CoreLogic® (NYSE: CLGX), a leading provider of information, analytics and business services, recently hosted a panel of hazard risk and natural disaster response experts from government, nonprofit and private sector organizations on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. titled “Mobilizing Effective Natural Disaster Response: An Analysis of Hurricane Sandy, Tornadoes, Flooding, Wildfires and Sinkholes.” The group shared and evaluated best practices about how to limit damage and danger before a disaster strikes, and how to mobilize a rapid and effective ground response in the aftermath of a disaster. Experts concluded that increased coordination and communication between public and private sector organizations along with reliable, actionable hazard-risk data is paramount for effective pre-disaster planning and post-disaster response.
The panel was moderated by Faith Schwartz, senior vice president, CoreLogic Government Solutions, along with four panel experts including Dr. Howard Botts, vice president of database development for CoreLogic Spatial Solutions, Eric Selk, director of the HOPE NOW Alliance, Josh Sawislak, senior advisor for infrastructure for the President’s Hurricane Sandy Rebuilding Taskforce and Jeff Jaffee, chief regulatory affairs officer at CitiMortgage.
According to Dr. Botts, accurate hazard risk data is central to mitigating damage from a disaster and deploying an effective response. “At CoreLogic, we focus on understanding everything about a residential property, including physical and legal characteristics, in our analysis of how natural hazards could potentially threaten a home,” Botts said. “For most homes in the U.S., we are able to identify varying levels of risk as it pertains to freshwater flooding, hurricane-driven storm surge, earthquakes, wildfires and tornadoes. We pair structure characteristics with hazard data on an individual parcel basis, and deliver this to businesses to allow for better planning and mitigation.”
Sawislak emphasized the need to establish a culture of resilience across infrastructure, preparation and response efforts: “We need to use scientific data to make decisions, and then with that information, create a culture of resilience. We have to think about how we can build hazard mitigation into our structures to prevent as much damage and danger as possible before a disaster strikes and to ensure that we can respond effectively and quickly in the aftermath.”
Jaffee provided the private industry perspective and shared what happens behind the scenes after FEMA declares a disaster. The process includes mobilizing financial resources to various company branches and by extension to customers, all while ensuring contingency plans are in place. Simple implementations such as waterproof ATM vestibules, backup power supplies, and, when necessary, temporary tent branches all help keep services running. Jaffee underscored the need to work across sectors to get the appropriate responses mobilized as rationally and quickly as possible.
Selk spoke about mortgage relief events in cities impacted by Hurricane Sandy and challenged congressional staff in the audience to get involved in relief efforts. “Something to think about is the role that all of you play in customer care,” he said. “What we see when a congressman or senator takes the lead is that turnout really increases and the people trust you, so do not be afraid to get involved in relief efforts.”
Interviews with panelists are available for added insight on the discussion. To arrange an interview, contact Jordan Hassin at jhassin@cvic.com or (202) 232-6601.
Additional information may be found at www.CoreLogic.com.
About CoreLogic
CoreLogic (NYSE: CLGX) is a leading property information, analytics and services provider in the United States and Australia. The company’s combined data from public, contributory and proprietary sources includes over 3.3 billion records spanning more than 40 years, providing detailed coverage of property, mortgages and other encumbrances, consumer credit, tenancy, location, hazard risk and related performance information. The markets CoreLogic serves include real estate and mortgage finance, insurance, capital markets, transportation and government. CoreLogic delivers value to clients through unique data, analytics, workflow technology, advisory and managed services. Clients rely on CoreLogic to help identify and manage growth opportunities, improve performance and mitigate risk. Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., CoreLogic operates in seven countries. For more information, please visit www.corelogic.com.