Every day, the population of the United States is at risk from a broad spectrum of natural disasters. One of the largest disasters in recent times was Hurricane Andrew, which tore across Florida and Louisiana in 1992, resulting in 15 deaths and billions of dollars in damage. The lack of an existing disaster assessment program during Hurricane Andrew prompted the implementation of CATS, designed specifically to help emergency managers respond more quickly and effectively to the victims of large-scale disasters.

Hurricane

Hurricane Storm Surge

Earthquake

In the words of Senator Barbara Mikulski, the United States needed to develop a program which would "recommend the optimal manner in which the federal government should preposition the necessary supplies, materials and people for rapid deployment soon after disaster strikes." As a result, CATS was developed to perform the following tasks: provide opportunities for emergency planning simulation, and readiness actions; estimate in real time the civil resources and population at risk; determine appropriate relief locations immediately preceding or following an actual disaster; and provide the necessary types and amounts of relief supplies to the people who need them most.

THE PRESENT AND FUTURE

The variety and magnitude of disasters during the past few years have provided an opportunity to test and validate the capabilities of the natural hazards portion of CATS. In the few years since its inception, CATS has served as an invaluable aid to Emergency Managers during Hurricane Emily, the Northridge earthquake, and the storms of the busy 1996 and 1998 Atlantic hurricane seasons. The results look promising. In each case, CATS has done an outstanding job zeroing in efficiently and effectively on the people and places in need of help.