North Carolina's new Hazard Mitigation Plan was based  partly on the background risk assessment developed by  DCRP alumna Kate Eschelbach. Kate displayed her  research at the 7th Annual Graduate Student Recognition  Ceremony prior to receiving a Graduate School Impact  Award.

North Carolina to use DCRP Alumna's research
in state's new Hazard Mitigation Plan

North Carolinians do not have to go back very far in
history to remember the devastating effects that
natural disasters can have on their livelihoods, their
homes and their families.  Hurricanes Isabel (2003),
Floyd (1999), and Fran (1996) brought flooding,
severe wind damage, and the loss of life and property.
Risk assessment - the identification of vulnerabilities
in a community for natural hazards - can not take
away these disasters, but it can help minimize
future damage.

The state of North Carolina recently completed a Hazard
Mitigation Plan, which includes strategies to reduce the
state’s vulnerability to natural hazards, and was approved
by FEMA in late 2004.



The foundation for the state’s plan was based on the background risk assessment that DCRP alumna Kate
Eschelbach (MRP '04) developed.  Kate’s research was acknowledged at the 7th Annual Graduate Student
Recognition Ceremony, where she received an Impact Award.  Privately funded through generous contributions
from members of the Graduate Education Advancement Board, the Graduate School has created the Impact
Award to acknowledge the contributions graduate students make to Carolina communities.  The Impact Award is
given to exceptional graduate students who have or are currently conducting research that clearly makes a
difference in the lives of North Carolinians across the state.

Kate’s research involved the review of considerable amounts of historical records and discussions with
meteorological and geological experts so she could identify, describe, and assess the various natural hazards
that affect North Carolina. Once this background data was assembled, Kate applied HAZUS-MH, FEMA’s loss-
estimation database, to incorporate the scope, frequency, intensity, and destructive potential of all the natural
hazards.  With this information, the state could compare various natural hazards’ exposures against each other.  
This process was essential to allow the state to focus on those hazards that posed the more severe threats to
special populations, economic activity, infrastructure and critical facilities, and environmental resources.

Kate’s work will provide valuable information to local planners and guide the state in many years to come on
the best way to proactively mitigate natural hazards-before they strike.

The following DCRP students and alumni were also recognized at the ceremony:

    Alisson Barbieri, Compton Population Fellowship; Mellon Foundation Population
    Lisa Bates, HUD Dissertation Grant
    Henry Renski, Kauffman Dissertation Fellowship; NSF Doctoral Dissertation Improvement Grant
    Danielle Spurlock, American Planning Association Fellowship
    Julie Stein, FEMA/EPA Community Planning