We developed the Houston Estimation and Analysis of Loss (HEAL) platform—a cloud-based system implemented on an Amazon Web Services (AWS) infrastructure platform which aggregates data, analytics, tools, and visualizations in a web-based environment that key city stakeholders can use for decision-making. Parts of the platform are made directly accessible to other stakeholders, including detailed maps to facilitate maximum data sharing. The HEAL platform uses analytical models to estimate total damage and unmet needs, such as economic impacts to residents, impacts on businesses, and secondary impacts on the community.
In total, we identified an additional 130,000 Houstonians impacted by the storm who were previously unaccounted for and nearly $16 billion in total residential damages. In addition to helping the City of Houston better understand and serve the needs of its residents, findings from our analysis are being used to build a case to state and federal officials for additional recovery and reconstruction funding.
More key takeaways from this effort can be found in the City of Houston Updated Needs Assessment for Hurricane Harvey Fact Sheet.
Other findings and accomplishments of this work are reported in: