natural disasters

natural disaster

• sudden, large-scale natural event causing damage, injury, or loss of life

• can be hydrometeorological (weather-related), or geophysical (earth-related)

ex’s of hydrometeorological disasters

heat waves, droughts, floods, wildfires, hurricanes, tornadoes, and cyclones

ex’s of geophysical disasters

earthquakes, volcano eruptions, tsunamis, and landslides

how many deaths from natural disasters occur annually (modern estimate)?

Roughly <20,000 deaths per year, compared to 1 million per year in early 20th century.

why have death rates from natural disasters declined?

improved warning systems, infrastructure, medical response, and disaster planning 

 What regions still face the highest mortality from natural disasters?

low income countries bc they lack resilient infrastructure and emergency response systems 

What are the public health impacts of natural disasters beyond immediate deaths?

• Long-term effects on sanitation, water, housing, and disease spread.

• Psychological trauma, food insecurity, and displacement.

factors that influence vulnerability to disasters

• Poverty, poor housing, lack of early warning systems, and limited healthcare access.

• Age, gender, and chronic illness increase risk.

what was significant abt hurricane katrina (2005)

• Struck New Orleans, breached levees, caused severe flooding.

• Exposed racial and economic inequities in disaster response.

What made Katrina’s human impact so severe?

• Poor emergency management and evacuation planning.

• Elderly, low-income, and minority populations most affected.

• Infrastructure collapse (power, water, sewage).

What were environmental effects of Hurricane Katrina?

• Flood contamination, sewage overflows, and lead-contaminated soil.

• Post-storm demolition increased airborne lead levels in neighborhoods.

What was the 2010 Haiti earthquake’s impact?

• Leveled Port-au-Prince; killed >200,000 people.

• Weakened infrastructure led to cholera outbreak (first in a century).

What caused the cholera epidemic in Haiti after the earthquake?

• Damaged sanitation and drinking water infrastructure.

• Spread by contaminated water systems.

What was the 2011 Japan earthquake and tsunami’s impact?

• Massive tsunami destroyed infrastructure in Northern Japan.

• Triggered Fukushima nuclear power plant disaster.

What environmental effects followed the Japan tsunami?

• Release of industrial chemicals and nuclear materials.

• Floating debris carried pollutants across the Pacific Ocean.

social factors that increase disaster vulnerability

• income inequality, racial segregation, and political neglect 

• those w out cars or communication access struggle to evacuate 

FEMAS role in US

• Federal Emergency Management Agency 

• coordinates emergency preparedness, response, and recovery 

agency that forecasts hurricanes in US

National Hurricane Center under NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration).

WHOs role in global disaster response

• Provides clean water, sanitation, shelter, food, and health services.

• Coordinates emergency medical care and disease control.

UNHCR’s (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) role

• Provides support for displaced persons after disasters.

• Helps with temporary housing and refugee resettlement.

How are natural disasters linked to environmental health?

• Destroy water systems and sanitation infrastructure.

• Increase risk of infectious diseases and toxic exposure.

“disaster w in a disaster”

Describes how vulnerable populations suffer disproportionately due to pre-existing inequalities (e.g., New Orleans Superdome during Katrina).

“affected persons to deaths” ratio in disasters

• Many more people are affected (displaced, injured, or needing aid) than die.

• Example: Hurricane Katrina — low deaths, high displacement.

How do gender and age influence disaster mortality?

• Children and elderly have higher mortality rates.

• Women often die at higher rates in disasters (e.g., 2004 tsunami in Sri Lanka).

long-term consequences of disasters

• Economic loss, disease outbreaks, soil and water contamination.

• Mental health issues and slower recovery in poorer regions.