Droughts, earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, volcano eruptions, diseases, and terrorist attacks are all examples of disasters that have a devastating effect on communities regardless of geographic location, and social or economic status. As Mother Nature erupts, diseases spread and bombs explode, man is reminded of his vulnerability and must often relinquish control to a force that is literally capable of flipping his world upside down within a matter of minutes.
The year is 1992 and I am living in a refurbished basement apartment on Chicago's Southside. As water from the Chicago River floods the Loop's underground tunnels, I wake up in time to see the book I was reading the night before go drifting by my bed. At that point, there is nothing I can do but hope and pray that the damage is not that severe. Yet, this little traumatic experience is nothing compared to nature or man's more deadly disasters.
Forms of Disasters
As you annually renew your insurance policies, you may contemplate whether you have enough insurance to cover your property and possessions against "acts of God". These acts of God are nothing more than natural disasters, although catastrophes can be manmade as well. The more common disasters today are:
Avalanches - Occur when the temperature, the direction of the wind, and vegetation are right for snow to fall down a steep incline, burying or crushing anything before its path.
Droughts - Occur when there is an unusual evaporation of water on land that exceeds the amount of rainfall, thus making the earth very dry.
Earthquakes - Are an unexpected and rapid shaking of the ground as a result of rocks breaking and shifting beneath the Earth's surface.
Floods - Are the most common of all natural disasters with the exception of fires. Floods are caused by heavy thunderstorms, snow thaws, or dam failures, for example.
Hurricanes - Also called cyclones and typhoons, are extremely violent storms with considerable rainfall, strong winds and thick dark clouds. Hurricanes are like wheels of clouds that spin over the ocean until they find a cooler mass of air generally found on land. Hurricane season occurs between late summer and early fall.
Infectious diseases - Are diseases that are fast becoming threats to mankind such as malaria, tuberculosis, diarrhoeal diseases, HIV/AIDS, viral hepatitis, and cancer.
Landslides - Are deadly mixtures of water, rocks and mud that slide causing considerable damage and fatalities.
Tornadoes - Are another violent storm that can occur at any time and are essentially a rotating column of air that extends from a thunderstorm to the ground.
Volcano eruptions - Occur deep inside Earth where solid rock called the mantle melts and moves to the surface, thus releasing pent-up gases.
Wildfires - Occur at any time and are simply uncontrolled fires in woodlands or grasslands.
Because of the terrorist attacks that have occurred globally, it is important to mention terrorism as an act(s) that can cause widespread damage and casualties. In short, terrorism is "the systematic use of terror or predictable violence against governments, publics, or individuals to attain a political objective." [1]
Preparing for Disasters
In the wake of disasters, man is virtually powerless against mighty forces of wind, rushing currents of water, rocks or mud, or hot blasts from molten lava. However, preparation, otherwise known as mitigation, can help to ease living conditions and prevent substantial loss of life or extensive property damage.
Ascertaining what disasters are more prone to occur in your area is the first step to protecting your home or business. A contractor, insurance representative, a building official, or engineer will be able to assist you with that information. Below are other helpful prevention tips.
Protecting Your Home and Business
As the world continues to arm itself against unforeseen disaster, it is a good idea to hone your disaster skills. Visit these sites for more information on disaster preparedness:
American Red Cross Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Federal Emergency Management Agency Environmental Protection Agency
Footnotes
[1] "Definition of Terrorism," terrorismfiles.org, http://www.terrorismfiles.org/encyclopedia/terrorism.html, (18 February 2002).
References
"Fact Sheet: Earthquakes," Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), January 10, 1998, http://www.fema.gov/library/quakef.htm, (15 February 2002).
"Fact Sheet: Hurricanes," FEMA, January 14, 1998, http://www.fema.gov/library/hurricaf.htm, (15 February 2002).
"Fact Sheet: Landslides and Mudflows," FEMA, January 14, 1998, http://www.fema.gov/library/landslif.htm, (15 February 2002).
"Fact Sheet: Terrorism," FEMA, September 23, 2001, http://www.fema.gov/library/terrorf.htm, (18 February 2002).
"Fact Sheet: Tornadoes," FEMA, June 2000, http://www.fema.gov/library/torfs.pdf, (15 February 2002).
"Fact Sheet: Wildland Fires," FEMA, January 10, 1998, http://www.fema.gov/library/wildlanf.htm, (18 February 2001).
"Reduce Your Risk From Natural Disasters," FEMA, August 29, 2001, http://www.fema.gov/mit/tsd/reduce.pdf, (18 February 2002).
"Protecting Your Business From Disasters," FEMA, July 21, 2001, http://www.fema.gov/mit/how2.htm, (19 February 2002).
"Terrorism-Preparing for the Unexpected," American Red Cross, 2001, http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/keepsafe/unexpected.html, (19 February 2002).
"Tornado Safety Tips Brochure," FEMA, May 5, 1999, http://www.fema.gov/library/tornadof.htm," (18 February 2002).
"Volcanoes: Can We Predict Volcanic Eruptions?," Annenberg/CPB Learner.org, 1997-2000, http://www.learner.org/exhibits/volcanoes/meltrock.html, (18 February 2002).
Y. S. Gill, "The Science of Disasters," Punjabilok, http://www.punjabilok.com/india_disaster_rep/issue_significance/science_of_disasters.htm, (15 February 2002).