What Is a Disaster?

A disaster is an event that disrupts or devastates people or the environment on a grand scale. Disasters fall into one of two categories: natural or manmade.

Sometimes one disaster leads to another, as when an undersea earthquake causes a tsunami or a hurricane knocks out power lines and leads to a blackout. Whatever the root cause, such events are classified as disasters when their impact is so large that society can’t fully cope with the consequences.

Disaster preparedness means knowing what to do before, during, and after a disaster. Disasters can cause injuries, damage property, and threaten entire communities. They often strike with little or no notice, and their effects can be overwhelming.

Though relief organizations such as the Red Cross work tirelessly to provide aid in the wake of disasters, sometimes help can’t reach everyone immediately. That’s why it’s best to be prepared. Much of the information presented in this guide is based on the recommendations in the “Family Disaster Plan” developed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) (www.fema.gov) and the American Red Cross (www.redcross.org). It will help you protect your family from harm, reduce damage to personal property, and lessen the anxiety that accompanies such a disruptive event.