Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
prevented, man-made disasters occur through preventable, sometimes deliberate,
and often malicious acts.
Not all man-made disasters are deliberate, however. Many can be categorized as
accidental and completely unexpected. As we continue to enter the era of technol-
ogy, an increasing number of technologically sophisticated incidents will continue
to occur, and community disaster plans must take into account the potential for
an increasing number of incidents involving toxic spills, radiological releases, and
other accidents. The events could be highly disastrous in densely populated areas,
and as communities continue to grow, these events could have consequences that
expand beyond the realm of anything imaginable in today's society.
Table 1.1 represents the types of disasters that fall into the categories just
presented. This list is not intended to be inclusive, and certainly there are other
potential disasters that could strike any community. For this reason, when the time
comes to create or revise the community's disaster plan, it is critical that planners
be prepared to protect their communities from these and other potential disasters
that may occur at any time, with or without warning.
Each of these situations poses its own threat to communities and challenges to
emergency response personnel. Some are relatively easy to predict, whereas others
may occur with virtually no warning. Some will devastate a community for weeks
or months, whereas others may pack a powerful punch, then be over, leaving dev-
astation in their wakes.
It can be expected that most disasters, regardless of type or cause, will bring
about some degree of death, injury, and property damage. Depending on the cir-
cumstances, disruption in communications systems, power, and water supplies;
contamination of air, food, and water; and a multitude of other problems may also
occur.
Table 1.1
Types of Disasters
Natural
Man-Made
Deliberate
Accidental
Hurricanes
Nuclear accidents
Terrorism
Highway
accidents
Tornadoes
Hazmat incidents
Strike violence
Rail accidents
Earthquakes
Explosions
Sabotage
Aircraft accidents
Snow storms
Bombings
Industrial mishaps
Ice storms
Riots and civil
disturbances
Floods
