Natural events/hazards vs Natural disasters

The two may be used interchangeably but natural hazards are threats or events themselves. When we use the term natural disaster, we are referring to the effect on humans.

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There would be no natural disasters without humans. Once humans are harmed, we're referring to a natural disaster.

Exploring ​Natural Hazards

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Hurricanes 101

Natural hazards are defined as environmental phenomena that have the potential to impact societies and the human environment. These should not be confused with other types of hazards, such as manmade hazards.

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For example, a flood resulting from changes in river flows is a natural hazard, whereas flooding due to a dam failure is considered a manmade hazard.

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Hurricanes originate in the Atlantic basin, which includes the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico, the eastern North Pacific Ocean, and, less frequently, the central North Pacific Ocean.

storm surge + storm tide

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The major hazards associated with hurricanes are:

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​​high winds

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​​rip currents

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heavy rainfall + inland flooding​

tornadoes

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The Great Flood of 1993  

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During a typical year, levees built along the banks of the Mississippi River keep the river in its channel and out of people's homes and fields. However, 1993 was anything but a typical summer. This video segment adapted from NOVA describes the meteorological conditions that created what was then the costliest flood in United States history.​

​Answer the questions on paper.