Natural Disasters

Types of Natural Disasters

Tornadoes
Hurricanes
Earthquakes
Volcanoes
Floods
Tsunamis
Winter Storms
Wildfires

Tornadoes

Rotating, funnel-shaped clouds

from powerful thunderstorms
Winds up to 300 MPH capable of
producing major damage
More occur in the United States
than anywhere else in the
world; they occur in every state
in America.
Tornado Preparation
Listen to local news orWeather
Radio report for emergency
updates. Watch for signs of a
storm, like darkening skies,
lightning flashes or increasing
wind.
If you can hear thunder, you are
close enough to be in danger
from lightning. If thunder roars,
go indoors! Don't wait for rain.
Lightning can strike out of a
clear blue sky.
Avoid electrical equipment and
corded telephones. Cordless
phones, cell phones and other
wireless handheld devices are
safe to use.
Keep away from windows.
If you are driving, try to safely
exit the roadway and park. Stay
in the vehicle and turn on the
emergency flashers until the
heavy rain ends.
If you are outside and cannot
reach a safe building, avoid high
ground; water; tall, isolated

trees; and metal objects such as

fences or bleachers. Picnic
shelters, dugouts and sheds are
NOT safe.

Hurricanes

Massive severe storms

occurring in the tropics
Winds greater than 75 MPH
Clouds & winds spin around the
eye
Produce heavy rains, high
winds, large waves, and spin-of
tornadoes
Hurricane Preparations
Listen to a Weather Radio
Check your disaster supplies.
Replace or restock as needed.
Bring in anything that can be
picked up by the wind (bicycles,
lawn furniture).
Close your windows, doors and
hurricane shutters. If you do not
have hurricane shutters, close
and board up all windows and
doors with plywood.

Hurricane Preparations
Turn your refrigerator and
freezer to the coldest setting.
Keep them closed as much as
possible so that food will last
longer if the power goes out.
Turn of propane tank.
Unplug small appliances.
Fill your cars gas tank.
Hurricane Preparations
Create a hurricane evacuation
plan with members of your
household. Planning and
practicing your evacuation plan
minimizes confusion and fear
during the event.
Find out about your
communitys hurricane
response plan. Plan routes to
local shelters, register family

members with special medical

needs and make plans for your
pets to be cared for.
Obey evacuation orders. Avoid
flooded roads and washed out
bridges.
What to Do After a Hurricane:
Continue listening to a Weather
Radio or the local news for the
latest updates.
Stay alert for extended rainfall
and subsequent flooding even
after the hurricane or tropical
storm has ended.
If you evacuated, return home
only when officials say it is safe.
Drive only if necessary and
avoid flooded roads and washed
out bridges.
Keep away from loose or
dangling power lines and report
them immediately to the power
company.
Stay out of any building that
has water around it.
Inspect your home for damage.
Take pictures of damage, both
of the building and its contents,
for insurance purposes.
Use flashlights in the dark. Do
NOT use candles.
Avoid drinking or preparing food
with tap water until you are sure
its not contaminated.
Check refrigerated food for
spoilage. If in doubt, throw it
out.
Wear protective clothing and be
cautious when cleaning up to
avoid injury.
Watch animals closely and keep
them under your direct control.
Use the telephone only for
emergency calls.

Earthquakes

Shaking caused by movements

of plates in the earths crust

Occur along faults borders

between two plates
Occur most often along the Ring
of Fire
What is the Ring of Fire?
The Pacific Ring of Fire is an
area of frequent earthquakes
and volcanic eruptions
encircling the basin of the
Pacific Ocean. The Ring of Fire
has 452 volcanoes and is home
to over 50% of the world's
active and dormant volcanoes.
Ninety percent of the world's
earthquakes and 81% of the
world's largest earthquakes
occur along the Ring of Fire.
Preparing for Earthquakes
BEFORE AN EARTHQUAKE: Have a
disaster plan. Emergency
preparedness can save lives.
Choose a safe place in every
room. Its best to get under a
sturdy piece of furniture like a
table or a desk where nothing
can fall on you.
Practice DROP, COVER AND
HOLD ON! Drop under
something sturdy, hold on, and
protect your eyes by pressing
your face against your arm.
If you live in an earthquake
prone area, bolt tall furniture to
the wall and install strong
latches to cupboards.
Prepare a first aid kit for your
home. By taking special
precautions and checking for
hazards before a disaster
strikes, you will be much more
likely to stay safe.
DURING AN EARTHQUAKE: DROP,
COVER AND HOLD ON!
Stay indoors until the shaking
stops. Stay away from windows.
If youre in bed, hold on and
stay there, protecting your head
with a pillow.

 If youre outdoors, find a clear

spot away from buildings, trees
and power lines. Then, drop to
the ground.
If youre in a car, slow down and
drive to a safe place. Stay in the
car until the shaking stops.
AFTER THE SHAKING STOPS: Check
for injuries.
Inspect your home for damage.
Eliminate fire hazards, so turn
of the gas if you think its
leaking.
Expect aftershocks. Each time
you feel one, DROP, COVER AND
HOLD ON.

Volcanoes
A volcano is a mountain that
opens downward to a pool of
molten rock below the surface
of the earth. When pressure
builds up, eruptions occur.
Gases and rock shoot up
through the opening and spill
over or fill the air with lava
fragments. Eruptions can cause
lateral blasts, lava flows, hot
ash flows, mudslides,
avalanches, falling ash and
floods. Volcano eruptions have
been known to knock down
entire forests. An erupting
volcano can trigger tsunamis,
flash floods, earthquakes,
mudflows and rockfalls.
Preparing for a Volcano
PLAN FOR A VOLCANO: First of
all, have a disaster plan and
know whether or not you are at
risk for danger. Be prepared for
mudslides, flash floods,
earthquakes, ash falling, acid
rain and tsunamis.
Prepare a disaster supplies kit
for your home and car.
Include a first aid kit, canned
food and a can opener, bottled

water, battery-operated radio,

flashlight, protective clothing,
dust mask, goggles and sturdy
shoes. Don't forget, know all of
your evacuation routes.
DURING A VOLCANO: Follow the
evacuation order issued by
authorities. Avoid areas
downwind and river valleys
downstream of the volcano.
If your caught indoors, close all
windows and doors, put
machinery inside a barn, and
bring animals inside.
If youre trapped outdoors,
seek shelter indoors.
If youre caught in falling
rocks, roll into a ball and protect
your head.
If youre caught near a stream,
be aware of mudflows and move
to higher ground.
Protect yourself when ash falls
by wearing long-sleeved shirts
and long pants. Use goggles to
protect your eyes. Wear a dust
mask and keep car engines of.
AFTER A VOLCANO: Cover you
mouth and nose. Volcanic ash
can irritate your respiratory
system.
Wear goggles and protect your
eyes.
Keep your skin covered. Clear
roofs of ash, because the ash is
very heavy and can cause the
building to collapse.

Floods

Result from heavy rains

May involve rivers overflowing,
storm surge/ocean waves, &
dams or levees breaking
Most common natural hazard
Flashfloods = floods that
happen very fast
Flood Preparations
BEFORE A FLOOD: Have a
disaster plan and prepare a

disaster supplies kit for your

home and car.
Include a first aid kit, canned
food, can opener, bottled water,
battery-operated radio,
flashlight, protective clothing
and written instructions on how
to turn of electricity, gas, and
water.
DURING A FLOOD: Move to a
safe area quickly.
Move to higher ground, like the
highest floor of your home.
Avoid areas subject to sudden
flooding like low spots and
canyons.
Avoid already flooded areas. If a
flowing stream of water is
above your ankles stop, turn
around and go the other way
Do not attempt to drive through
a flooded road. The depth of the
water is not obvious and the
road may be washed away.
If your car stalls, leave it and
seek higher ground. Rapidly
rising water may engulf the car,
pick it up and sweep it away.
Kids should never play around
high water, storm drains or
viaducts.
Be cautious at night, because
its harder to see flood dangers.
If told to evacuate, do so
immediately.
AFTER THE FLOOD: Always, boil
drinking water. Electrical
equipment should be checked
and dried before used.

Tsunamis

Form as a result of earthquakes,

volcanoes, or landsides under
the ocean
Waves grow taller as they reach
the coast
Four out of Five occur in the
Ring of Fire

Over 200,000 people killed in

the 12/26/05 Indian Ocean
tsunami
Tsunami Preparedness
PLAN FOR A TSUNAMI:
Have a disaster plan.
Know whether youre at risk for
danger.
Plan an evacuation route.
Tsunami Preparedness
Prepare a disaster supplies kit
for your home and car. Include a
first aid kit, canned food and a
can opener, bottled water,
battery-operated radio,
flashlight, protective clothing
and written instructions on how
to turn of electricity, gas, and
water.
DURING A TSUNAMI:
Follow the instructions issued by
local authorities.
You will probably want to
evacuate immediately.
Get to higher ground and as far
inland as you can.
AFTER A TSUNAMI:
Help injured or trapped people.
Stay out of a building if water
remains around it. Tsunami
waters can cause buildings to
sink, floors to crack, or walls to
collapse.
When re-entering homes, use
extreme caution.
Check for gas leaks.
Open windows and doors to
help dry things out.
Look for fire hazards.
Efects of Tsunamis

Winter Storms

May include snow, ice storms,

sleet, freezing rain, and
extremely cold temperatures

 Most deaths occur in

automobiles
Storms may cause widespread
power outages
Winter Storm Preparations
Learn about your area's winter
storm risk. Contact your local
Red Cross chapter or
emergency management office
for your area's winter storm risk
and storm history.
Understand the hazards of wind
chill, which combines the
cooling efect of wind and cold
temperatures on exposed skin.
Service vehicles and snow
removal equipment before
winter storm season.
Keep your car's gas tank full for
emergency use and to keep the
fuel line from freezing.
Winter Storm Preparations
What to do during a winter storm
watch?
Listen to a National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA) Weather Radio, a
portable battery-powered radio
(or television), or a smart phone
for updated emergency
information of watches issued in
your area.
Be aware of changing weather
conditions.
Make sure pets and animals are
safe.
Avoid unnecessary travel.
Winter Storm Preparations
What to do during a winter storm?
Listen to a NOAA Weather
Radio, a portable batterypowered radio (or television), or
a smart phone for updated
emergency information.
Stay indoors and dress warmly
during the storm.
Wearing layers of loose-fitting,
lightweight, warm clothing will

What

keep you warmer than one

bulky sweater.
Winter Storm Preparations
to do during a winter storm?
Listen to a battery powered
radio or television for updated
emergency information.
Eat regularly. Food provides the
body with energy for producing
its own heat.
Keep the body replenished with
fluids to prevent dehydration.
If you lose electricity, do not use
a generator indoors or in an
enclosed space.
Conserve fuel.
Continue listening to local radio
or television stations or a NOAA
Weather Radio for updated
information and instructions.
Help neighbors who may require
special assistance.
Avoid driving and other travel
until conditions have improved.
Avoid overexertion.
Follow forecasts and be
prepared when venturing
outside.

Wildfires
Occur in forests, grasslands,
and wooded areas
Most common causes: lightning
and human accidents
A wildfire also known as a
wildland fire, forest fire,
vegetation fire, grass fire, peat
fire, bushfire (in Australia), or
hill fire is an uncontrolled fire
often occurring in wildland
areas, but which can also
consume houses or agricultural
resources. Wildfires often begin
unnoticed, but they spread
quickly igniting brush, trees and
homes.
Preparing for Wildfires

 BEFORE A WILDFIRE: Have a

disaster plan. Know whether
youre in a wildfire prone area.
Plant fire resistant shrubs and
trees around your home.
BEFORE A WILDFIRE: Have a
garden hose that is long enough
to reach around your home.
Prepare a disaster supplies kit
for your home and car. Include a
first aid kit, canned food and a
can opener, bottled water,
battery-operated radio,
flashlight, protective clothing
and written instructions on how
to turn of electricity, gas, and
water. Always listen to the radio
and television for the latest
information and instructions for
your area.
BEFORE A WILDFIRE: Include a
first aid kit, canned food and a

can opener, bottled water,

battery-operated radio,
flashlight, protective clothing
and written instructions on how
to turn of electricity, gas, and
water. Always listen to the radio
and television for the latest
information and instructions for
your area.
DURING A WILDFIRE: If youre
advised to evacuate then do so
immediately. Wear protective
clothing and lock your home.
Tell someone you left and where
you are going. Choose a safe
route away from fire hazards.
Watch for changes in the speed
and direction of fire and smoke.
AFTER A WILDFIRE: Stay away
from wildfire areas until it is
safe.