Draft:Natural Disasters

Natural Disasters

A natural disaster is any situation of severe weather that poses a threat against the public. These can occur seasonally, like hurricanes, or can occur without knowledge of them coming, such as earthquakes. The three main ways to stay prepared are to look at ways to avoid or prevent the threat, to secure the area and protect property, and to focus on ways to reduce the loss and impact from the disaster.

These are disruptions that cause everyday life to not be able to go on. It’s typically too powerful for resources supplied by a single community. Even though there are “all-risk” fire departments, which can try to tame the disaster and do what they can, although many times the damage has to be done for additional resources and help to do its job.

Examples of Natural Disasters

There are eighteen natural hazards in the National Risk Index, here they are listed from most popular amongst people’s knowledge and most likely to be considered a natural disaster to least known and likely to be considered:

Hurricane - Also known as a tropical cyclone, a rapidly rotating storm which appears on the ocean and can make its way onto land.

Tornado - Formed when the air during a thunderstorm flows a particular way. The air rises and is pushed by the wind to create a rotating motion.

Earthquake - Movement of the surface of the earth that creates a weak to violent shaking. Hail - Irregular shapes of ice which fall as a solid form of participation.

Volcanic Activity - Earthquakes caused by magma moving within a volcano or erupting from the volcano.

Wildfire - An unwanted and unplanned fire burning in natural areas such as a forest.

Heat Wave - An unusually long period of time when temperatures are higher than normal and expected.

Winter Weather - Cold temperatures leading to possible injury, frostbite, hypothermia, and/or death.

Lightning - Electricity between clouds and the ground.

Strong Wind - Also known as gale.

Tsunami - Enormous waves in the ocean caused by volcanic eruptions or an earthquake under the sea.

Avalanche - The quick sliding of snow or ice down a mountain.

Coastal Flooding - Water covers normally dry coastal land.

Riverine Flooding - Water covers normally dry riverbank land.

Cold Wave - Cold weather over an area.

Drought - Dryer than normal weather over an area that can last any amount of time.

Ice Storm - Winter storm including freezing rain.

Landslide - Started from ground movements, can include rockfalls and mudslides.

Most Common

The most common natural disaster depends on the area in which we focus on, but throughout the United States there are mainly floods, tornadoes, and hurricanes. There are an average of 335 natural disasters per year and although this increase since previous years cannot be connected to climate change, the extreme weather changes may continue to influence these hazards.

Many disasters such as lightning, winter storms, and earthquakes occur in many regions, but some, including hurricanes and tsunamis, only occur in certain regions and parts of the world. Over half of the volcanic eruptions we see occur only in the space between tectonic plates.

Effects of Natural Disasters:

The effects of these hazards are endless and the severity can depend on each and every circumstance, however a common issue we see are property damages. Hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods cause the most damage to homes and public buildings, as well as completely destroying cars, sheds, and smaller property items.

Some less-likely effects are chemical exposures, electrocution, and diseases. If the area is not evacuated, injuries can be highly likely and those in the immediate area can be stranded and struggling to survive due to such harsh conditions.

Well-Known Natural Disasters

Hurricane Katrina was a category 5 hurricane in August of 2005 that killed nearly 1,900 and caused an average of $1.15 billion in damages. Katrina hit the city New Orleans primarily but traveled to the surrounding area as well.

In Haiti 2010 a magnitude 7.0 earthquake travesty struck. It is known as one of the deadliest earthquakes registered and caused a total of around $8.2 billion.

In 2019 and 2020, Australia was suffering from wildfires that killed 33 officially and the effects of the fire killed another 445 citizens. 4,000 others were admitted to hospitals due to the 46 million acre fire.

Available Help

A few companies and organizations that supply help during a time in need are ADRA International, FEMA, American Red Cross, and the U.S. Department of Interior. These organizations help with rebuilding houses and public buildings, supply food and basic needs, and help shelter those who have to evacuate their area.