Natural Disasters

• A natural disaster is a major adverse event resulting from natural processes of the Earth.
• Disasters can cause a full range of mental and physical reactions.
• While some of these disasters can be predicted and prepared for, they cannot be completely avoided and may result in damage.

Some Examples are:

Natural Disasters	Basic Information	Important Points
Floods	1. A flood is an overflow of water that submerges land that is usually dry. 2. Flooding occurs as an overflow of water from water bodies, or due to an accumulation of rainwater on saturated ground,or in rivers when the flow rate exceeds the capacity of the river channel. 3. Some floods develop slowly, while others can develop in just a few minutes and without visible signs of rain. 4. Additionally, floods can be local, impacting a neighborhood or community, or very large, affecting entire river basins.	During flood, seek higher ground and if instructed, turn off utilities at main switches and unplug appliances – do not touch electrical equipment if wet.
Tornadoes	1. A tornado is a rapidly rotating column of air that is in contact with both the surface of the Earth and cloud. 2. Tornadoes come in many Natural Disasterss and sizes, and they are often visible in the form of a condensation funnel. 3. Its speed can vary from less than 110 miles per hour to more than 300 miles and height about 250 ft., while some travel a few miles some can stay for dozen ones.	During tornado,it is recommended that you do not go near the windows due to the possibility of flying glass or high winds. Go to the basement, lowest floor, small center room (like a bathroom or closet), under a stairwell, or in an interior hallway or room with no windows.
Earthquake	1. An earthquake is the shaking of the surface of the Earth, resulting from the sudden release of energy in the Earth’s lithosphere that creates seismic waves. 2. Earthquakes can range in size from those that are so weak that they cannot be felt to those violent enough to toss people around and destroy whole cities. 3. When the epicenter of a large earthquake is located offshore, the seabed may be displaced sufficiently to cause a tsunami. Earthquakes can also trigger landslides, and occasionally volcanic activity. 4. Earthquakes are caused mostly by rupture of geological faults, but also by other events such as volcanic activity, landslides, mine blasts, and nuclear tests.	During it, seek shelter under stable tables or under door frames.If outside, stay away from buildings, bridges and electricity pylons and move to open areas.
Tsunami	1. A tsunami or tidal wave or seismic sea wave, is a series of waves in a water body caused by the displacement of a large volume of water, generally in an ocean or a large lake. 2. Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and other underwater explosions above or below water all have the potential to generate a tsunami. 3. Tsunamis generally consist of a series of waves, with periods ranging from minutes to hours, arriving in a so-called “internal wave train”. 4. Wave heights of tens of meters can be generated by large events. Although the impact of tsunamis is limited to coastal areas, their destructive power can be enormous, and they can affect entire ocean basins.	1. During tsunami get to high ground as far inland as possible. 2. Listen to emergency information and alerts.
Volcanic Eruptions	1. A volcanic eruption occurs when hot materials from the Earth’s interior are thrown out of a volcano. 2. Some eruptions are terrible explosions that throw out huge amounts of rock and volcanic ash and can kill many people. Some are quiet outflows of hot lava. 3. The volcanic explosivity index (commonly shortened VEI) is a scale, from 0 to 8, for measuring the strength of eruptions.	1. During it avoid all low-lying places because lava flows and mudflows are more likely to pass them. 2. Seek cover in case of ash falls, rock falls. Use masks and cover your mouth and nose to avoid breathing in ashes.
Cyclone	1. It is a large scale air mass that rotates around a strong center of low atmospheric pressure. 2. Cyclones have also been seen on extraterrestrial planets, such as Mars, Jupiter and Neptune. 3. A cyclone’s track is guided over the course of its 2 to 6 day life cycle by the steering flow of the subtropical jet stream.	1. During it, beware of damaged power lines, bridges, buildings, trees, and don’t enter flood waters. 2. Listen to local radio for official warnings.

Other examples are: landslides, droughts, thunderstorms, wildfire etc…

Some facts:

• In 2012, there were 905 natural catastrophes worldwide including severe storms, droughts, tornadoes, earthquakes, floods, hail storms, typhoons, wildfires, and hurricanes.
• Floods are the most widespread natural disaster aside from wildfires. 90% of all US natural disasters declared by the president involve some sort of flooding.
• “Hurricanes” are large, spiraling tropical storms that can pack wind speeds of over 160 miles an hour and unleash more than 2.4 trillion gallons of rain a day. Hurricanes can be coupled with storm surges and severe flooding.
• Damage paths of tornadoes can be in excess of one-mile-wide and 50 miles long.
• Landslides often accompany earthquakes, floods, storm surges, hurricanes, wildfires, or volcanic activity. They are often more damaging and deadly than the triggering event.