What Are The Different Types of

Natural Disasters?

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.

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.

Winter Storms

Flooding

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.

Tornado

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.

Hurricanes

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.

Earthquakes

Wildfires, both natural 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.

Wildfires

What Are The Different Types of Manmade Disasters?

War

Terrorism

Pollution

Nuclear

Explosions

Hazardous
Materials
Exposures

Industrial
Accidents

Transportation

Accidents

Shootings

Incidents
of Mass
Violence

Preparing for Manmade Disasters centers around awareness. Stay aware of your
surroundings, take precautions while traveling, look out for suspicious behavior,
locate emergency exits, locate fire extinguishers, and assemble a disaster
supply kit to keep on hand. It is important to always stay up-to-date on the
situation through radio or through emergency messaging systems. no matter the
disaster. Safety is the number one priority.

The Cognitive Impact of

Being Exposed To A Disaster

Whether man-made or natural, disasters happen all around us. The
affected population of a disaster is prone to negative impact and the
extent depends on severity and personal loss/damage/injury from the
situation.

In addition to the social and economic
losses, individuals and communities
experience mental instability during and
after disaster, which may cause Post
Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD),
Anxiety, Depression, and or other
Disorders. While many disasters are
measured in cost, there is no comparison
to emotional suffering when referring to
a disaster. Psychological distress is
common in victims of disasters along with
socioeconomic distress. Because of the
unpredictability of disasters, most
victims are left in a state of shock.
Victims will typically go through the five
stages of grief, when dealing with the
aftermath of a disaster ordering: denial,
anger, bargaining, depression, and
acceptance.

Disaster leaves a feeling of insecurity
within its victims. The effect of a

The psychological effects are more drastic among children, women, and
the dependent elderly population as these are the most vulnerable
populations. The psychological impact on children from disasters can be
in the form of PTSD, Depression, Anxiety, Emotional Distress, and Sleep
Disorders.

disaster can be exacerbated by displacement, death of a loved one,
socioeconomic loss, environmental loss, and a lack of mental
preparedness for disaster.

Have You Or Someone You Know Experience Mental
Health Related Symptoms After Being Exposed To A
Disaster?

Contact Us

For More Information

or

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One Of Our Clinicians Will Guide You Through The Steps
Toward Improved Mental Health and Achieving Your Goals
Toward Self Improvement

Emily Szabla MA, LLPC

Allanté Burnell MS, LLP, CTP