Understanding the terminology used within Neural Earth’s platform is essential for interpreting property risk assessments and making informed decisions. Below, you will find definitions categorized alphabetically, covering essential topics such as risk scores, environmental hazards, property attributes, and more.
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A
Annualized Frequency: The average number of times a specific hazard is expected to occur annually at a given location, based on historical data.
Assessed Property Value: The combined value of land and structures on it, used for tax assessments. This value is used to calculate property taxes.
Asset Exposure: The total monetary value of assets potentially affected by a hazard, such as buildings, infrastructure, and economic activity.
B
Building Size: The total usable area of all floors within a building, typically measured in square feet (excluding unfinished spaces like attics).
Basement Type: Indicates whether a property has a basement and its classification (e.g., none, partial, or full). This information is relevant for assessing flood risk and potential damage.
Building Materials Risk: The vulnerability of construction materials to hazards like fire or flooding, such as wood being susceptible to fire and some types of concrete being vulnerable to saltwater erosion.
C
Coastal Flooding: Flooding that occurs in coastal areas due to rising sea levels, storm surges (abnormally high tides caused by storms), or a combination of both.
Coordinates: The latitude and longitude values that precisely identify a property's location on the Earth's surface. These are usually expressed in degrees, minutes, and seconds.
D
Distance to Flood Zone: The straight-line distance between a property and the boundary of the nearest designated flood zone. This helps assess the risk of flood exposure.
Drainage System Efficiency: An evaluation of how well the drainage systems (e.g., storm drains, culverts) in an area manage water runoff to prevent flooding on or near a property.
Development Density: The concentration of buildings, infrastructure, and population within a given area. Higher density can increase risks associated with certain hazards due to factors like increased runoff and potential strain on infrastructure.
E
Elevation Difference: The vertical difference in feet between a property's ground level and the base flood elevation (BFE) of the nearest flood zone. This is a crucial factor in determining flood risk.
Earthquake RiskRank: A numerical rating typically ranging from 0 to 10 that indicates the likelihood and potential severity of earthquake damage in a specific area. Higher scores represent greater risk.
Event Frequency: The average number of times a particular natural hazard event (e.g., flood, wildfire) is expected to occur in a given region within a year. This is based on historical data and predictive models.
F
FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency): A U.S. government agency that provides information and resources related to disaster preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery. FEMA plays a crucial role in assessing and managing risks from natural hazards.
Flood Zone: A geographic area that FEMA has categorized based on its likelihood of flooding. These zones are shown on Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) and help determine flood insurance requirements and building codes.
H
Historic Loss Percentage: The percentage of a property's total value that has been lost due to past hazard events. This metric helps assess the long-term risk associated with a specific location.
Hurricane RiskRank: A numerical rating that indicates the likelihood and potential severity of hurricane damage to a property. This score considers factors like wind speed, storm surge potential, and historical hurricane activity in the area.
Heat RiskRank: A numerical score that reflects the likelihood and potential impact of extreme heat events in a given area. This score considers factors like average temperatures, humidity levels, and the vulnerability of the population to heat-related illnesses.
Heat Map: A visual representation of data where different colors or shades represent varying levels of intensity or risk. In the context of natural hazards, heat maps can show areas with higher risks of wildfires, floods, or extreme heat.
L
Land Use Classification: A system for categorizing land based on its current or intended use, such as residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, or open space. Land use can significantly influence risk factors associated with various hazards.
M
Mitigation Measures: Actions or strategies implemented to reduce or eliminate the risk posed by natural hazards. Examples include elevating structures in flood-prone areas, installing fire-resistant roofing, or reinforcing buildings in earthquake zones.
Microclimate: The climate of a small, specific area that may differ from the climate of the surrounding region. Microclimates can be influenced by factors like elevation, vegetation, and proximity to water bodies, and can affect local risks related to heat, flooding, or wind.
N
NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration): A U.S. federal scientific agency focused on the conditions of the oceans and the atmosphere. NOAA provides critical data for weather forecasting, climate monitoring, and understanding coastal hazards like hurricanes and storm surge.
Neighborhood RiskRank: An aggregated risk metric that assesses the overall level of hazard exposure for a defined neighborhood or area. This score considers various factors, including the types of hazards present, their frequency, and the vulnerability of the buildings and infrastructure.
Natural Hazard Exposure: The degree to which a property or area is susceptible to the impacts of natural hazards, such as floods, wildfires, earthquakes, or hurricanes. This is influenced by factors like location, elevation, and proximity to hazard sources.
P
Parcel Size: The total area of a parcel of land on which a property is situated, typically measured in square feet or acres. Lot size can influence risk factors related to wildfires, flooding, and other hazards.
Property Use: The primary function or purpose for which a property is utilized, such as residential, commercial, industrial, or agricultural. Property use can affect its vulnerability to different hazards and influence insurance requirements.
Peril Type: The specific type of natural hazard being assessed, such as flooding, wildfire, earthquake, hurricane, or drought. Understanding the peril type is crucial for determining appropriate risk mitigation measures.
Precipitation Intensity: The rate at which precipitation, such as rain or snow, falls over a given period. High precipitation intensity can increase the risk of flooding, landslides, and other water-related hazards.
R
Relative Elevation Map: A visual representation of the terrain surrounding a property, highlighting the elevation differences between the property and nearby areas. This helps visualize how water flows across the landscape and identifies potential areas of high or low ground.
Risk Breakdown: A detailed summary of the potential risks associated with a property, categorized by specific hazard types (e.g., riverine flooding, coastal flooding, wildfire, earthquake). This breakdown helps users understand the various hazards they may face and their relative severity.
RiskRank: A standardized numerical metric, typically ranging from 0 to 10, that indicates the overall risk level for a property or area. Higher scores represent greater risk. This score is often a composite of multiple factors, including hazard probability, potential impact, and vulnerability.
Runoff Potential: The likelihood of rainwater or snowmelt accumulating on the surface and flowing over land rather than infiltrating into the ground. This is influenced by factors like soil type, vegetation cover, and the presence of impervious surfaces (e.g., pavement, roofs). High runoff potential can increase flood risk.
S
Storm Surge: An abnormal rise in sea level caused by the strong winds and low atmospheric pressure associated with storms, particularly hurricanes. Storm surge can cause significant coastal flooding and damage.
Surface Material: The type of material covering the ground surface, such as grass, asphalt, concrete, or bare soil. Surface materials affect how much water infiltrates the ground versus running off, influencing flood risk and drainage patterns.
T
Tax Assessment: The process of determining the value of a property for property tax purposes. This value, often called the assessed value, is used by local governments to calculate property taxes.
Terrain Analysis: The study of landforms, elevation, and other topographic features to evaluate potential risks and hazards. Terrain analysis can help identify areas prone to flooding, landslides, wildfire spread, or other natural hazards.
Topographic Relief: The difference in elevation between the highest and lowest points in a given area. High topographic relief indicates steep slopes and valleys, which can influence water flow, erosion patterns, and landslide risk.
W
Wildfire RiskRank: A metric that assesses the likelihood and potential impact of wildfires on a property or area. This score considers factors like vegetation type, proximity to fire-prone areas, historical fire data, and the presence of fire mitigation measures.
Water Table Level: The depth below the ground surface at which the ground is saturated with water. High water table levels can increase flood risk, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall or snowmelt.
Weather Pattern Trends: Historical data and analysis that reveal changes in weather patterns over time, including temperature, precipitation, and extreme events. These trends help predict future climate conditions and assess the risk of various hazards.