Natural disasters (or acts of nature) are considered to be the consequence of a natural hazard which affects human activities. They are termed a disaster if they cause financial, environmental or human loss due to lack of planning or lack of appropriate emergency management.

Acts of nature come in many varied forms. Land movement disasters include avalanches, earthquakes, lahars, landslides, mudflows and volcanic eruptions. Blizzards, droughts, hailstorms, heat waves and cyclonic storms (including hurricanes, tropical cyclones and typhoons) are all considered to be water disasters. Other disaster situations include fire, health and disease (including epidemics and famine), and space (impact events and solar flares).

Natural disasters are often related. Drought can lead to famine and disease, tsunamis are caused by earthquakes under the ocean, and volcanic eruptions can result in lahars and fires ravaging the land. All of these natural disasters can cause environmental emergencies. They can strike quickly and without warning. It can force you to evacuate your neighborhood or confine you to your home. What would you do if basic services--water, gas, electricity or telephones--were cut off? Local officials and relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster, but they cannot reach everyone right away.

Emergency management or disaster management involves preparing for a disaster before it happens. You cannot put an emergency on hold. Effective emergency preparation relies on a well thought out plan of action that will help you and your family know what to do in case of an emergency situation. Every household, school and business needs an Emergency Plan.

As part of your emergency plan you should consider the following guidelines:

-Safe exits from your home, school, place of business and neighborhood -Meeting places to reunite with family members, roommates, colleagues, etc.
-A designated person to pick up your children if you are unable to do so
-A place for your pet(s) to stay
-Contact person(s) close by and out-of-town
-Pertinent health information for you, your family and pet(s)
-Location of fire extinguishers, water and gas shut-off valves, electrical box and floor drain -Possible risks in your area

What you have on hand when a disaster happens could make the difference between surviving or not surviving the emergency. Plan to store enough supplies for everyone in your household for at least 72 hours (3 days). It is important to have an emergency survival kit that contains all the products families (schools or businesses) would need to comfortably stand firm against an emergency situation. Emergency kits should be kept in the home (near the front door if possible), car and workplace for unexpected emergencies such as power outages, break downs, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, blizzards, earthquakes and other potential disasters.

Some items to consider for your survival kit should include:

-easy-carry backpack or duffel bag
-emergency food and water for 72 hours (3 days)
-first aid kit, medications (if required)
-flashlight(s) and batteries, emergency whistle
-heavy-duty leather work gloves, disposable vinyl gloves
-FM radio and batteries or crank radio (no batteries required)
-tooth paste and toothbrush (one per person)
-disposable razors (double-blade), antibacterial deodorant soap,
-paper tissues and toilet paper rolls, terry towel(s)
-multi-purpose scissors, note pad(s) with pencil(s) and pencil sharpener
-rain poncho(s), tube-tent, emergency blanket(s) to retain body heat
-camping stove
-can also be used as heat-source
-waterproof matches
-pocket warmers, comfortable shoes, extra clothing
-some extra cash



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