Natural & Manmade Disasters

What Are the Different Types of Natural Disasters?

1. Flooding 90% of disasters within the United States involve flooding. Floods inflict more economic damage, and loss of life and property than any other natural hazard. Floods occur due to excessive rain, dam break, earthquake, tidal surge, or shoreline avalanche. Floods, cause outages, disrupt transportation, damage buildings, create landslides, cause excessive damage to property, and can result in loss of life.
   
   

   When preparing for a flood, make sure to find safe shelter. Do not walk, swim or drive-through floodwaters as 6 inches of moving water knock you down and 1 foot of moving water can sweep your vehicle away. Stay off bridges and depending on the flood, you may need to evacuate, move to higher ground or stay where you are. When preparing for a flood, make a plan for your household, including your pets. Gather supplies including non- perishable foods, cleaning supplies and water for several days in case you must leave immediately or if services are cut off to your area.

2. Tornado Over 1000 tornadoes hit the United States every year. Tornadoes cause significant disruption to transportation, power, gas water and communication services. Tornadoes occur when warm moist air and cold dry air meet. Tornado season is from March through July. Tornadoes are shaped like funnels and have intense wins over 200 mph.
   
   When preparing for a tornado, make sure to know your area’s tornado risk, know the signs of a tornado, sign up for your communities warning system, pay attention to weather reports, identify and practice, plan safe shelter spots, plan for your pets and prepare for long-term stay at home or sheltering in place. When in a tornado protect yourself by covering your head or neck with your arms. During a tornado the most important thing to have is access to the radio to stay up-to-date. If your community has tornado sirens, it is a great idea to become familiar with the warning sound.
3. Winter Storms Winter storms occur when a significant amount of snow or ice accumulates over a short period of time blocking roads, disrupting communication systems, causing power outages, and threatening safety.
   
   When preparing for a winter storm, some of the key points include preparing yourself for exposure to the weather, making sure your car is ready for winter travel, reporting downed power lines to utility and emergency services, weatherproofing your home against the cold, compiling a winter emergency kit to keep in your car, and stocking up on household supplies including food, batteries, gas, candles, and any other necessities you may feel you need.
4. Hurricanes Hurricanes inflict damage to coastal and inland regions of the United States. Hurricanes come with dangerously high winds, heavy rainfall and severe flooding.
   
   

   When preparing for a hurricane, it is important to have a safety plan. Equipping yourself with an emergency kit and keeping it accessible is crucial. It is important to become familiar with hurricane terminology and your communities emergency plans, signals and shelters. Hurricanes can be monitored and usually have notice. It is important to gather supplies, including non-perishable food, water, batteries, and additional supplies.

5. Earthquakes Earthquakes are caused by rock underground breaks at a fault. This movement continues until the plates become stuck again each year. The United States experiences a dozen severe earthquakes. Earthquakes can cause power outages, fires, water supply, emergencies, and loss of life and property.
   
   

   When preparing for an earthquake, it is crucial to practice drop, cover, and hold on. Creating a family plan before a disaster happens is crucial. It is important to make sure to secure heavy items in your home so that in the event of an earthquake, you are less likely to be injured. Structural issues being addressed prior to a disaster can prevent your home from collapsing during an earthquake. Well, there are hazards that happened during an earthquake. There are just as many that happened after. Damage to buildings, leaking gas, waterlines, and downed power lines are just a few of the hazards that can happen after an earthquake. There is also the possibility of aftershocks and tsunamis.

6. Wildfires l and human caused, destroy natural, commercial, and residential areas. Wildfires make the land more susceptible to flooding and mudslides. Falling embers can expand the wire wildfire by as much as a mile and smoke inhalation raises health concerns for surrounding communities and individuals affected.
   
   

   When preparing for a wildfire includes recognizing warnings and alerts, making an emergency plan, reviewing important documents, such as insurance policies, strengthening your home, and knowing your evacuation zone. Gathering supplies is strongly advised, depending on the severity of the wildfire. You may need to evacuate if informed by authorities, it is important not to return home until it is safe to do so to avoid hot, trees, smoldering debris, heat pockets, and live embers. It is important in the aftermath of a wildfire to limit your exposure to debris and dust particles.