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Severe Weather and Disasters

A house cracked and broken from earthquake damage
View of a dead tree and fence row in a summer sunset.
Flood waters rising in a neighborhood of houses
Hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico seen from space.
A weeping willow and swampy region in a blustery storm.
Lightning storm at night
A tornado funnel cloud
View of tsunami waves hitting a shoreline.

Natural disasters such as flood, fire, earthquake, tornado and hurricans affect thousands of people every year.  You should know what your risks are and prepare to protect yourself, your family and community.

Recognizing an impending hazard and knowing what to do to protect yourself and your family will help you take effective steps to prepare beforehand and aid recovery after the event.

Some of the things you can do to prepare for the unexpected, such as assembling a supply kit and developing a family emergency plan, are the same for all types of hazards. However each emergency is unique and knowing the actions to take for each threat will impact the specific decisions and preparations you make. By learning about these specific threats, you are preparing yourself to react in an emergency.