Disaster Readiness & Risk Reduction Agricultural diseases and pests- they are mainly caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. Storm surge (daluyong) – a rising of the sea as a result of atmospheric pressure changes and wind associated with a storm. Drought /El Niño– a prolonged period of abnormally low rainfall, leading to a shortage of water. Earthquakes – a shaking or trembling of the earth that is volcanic or tectonic in origin. Hurricanes (unos) – a storm with a violent wind (a large rotating storm with high speed winds that forms over warm waters in tropical areas). Tropical cyclone is the scientific name for hurricane. Landslide – the sliding down of a mass of rock from a mountain or cliff Thunderstorm (bagyong may pagkulog) – a storm with thunder and lightning and typically also heavy rain or hail. Tornadoes (buhawi) – a violent destructive whirling wind accompanied by a funnel-shaped cloud that progresses in a narrow path over the land Tsunamis – a long high sea wave caused by an earthquake or other disturbance. Wildfires – a powerful fire that burns out of control across a large area. Sinkholes – a hole from the ground that forms when water dissolves surface rock Extreme heat - temperatures that hover 10 degrees or more above the average high temperature for the region and last for several weeks. Floods - an overflow of a large amount of water over dry land. La Niña - a cooling of the water in the equatorial pacific, which occurs at irregular intervals, and is associated with wide spread changes Hazardous material - any item or agent (biological, chemical, radiological, and/or physical), which has the potential to cause harm to humans, animals, or the environment, either by itself or through interaction with other factors. Blackout – complete interruption of power in a given service area. Brownout – partial, temporary reduction in system voltage. Nuclear explosion - an explosion that occurs as a result of the rapid release of energy from a high-speed nuclear reaction. Radiological emergencies – when there is, or is perceived to be, a hazard due to radiation exposure from radioactive sources. Cyber-attacks - malicious or illegal acts through the use of Internet that threaten your information. Any type of offensive maneuver that targets computer information systems, infrastructures, computer networks, or personal computer devices. Explosions - a rapid increase in volume and release of energy in an extreme manner, usually with the generation of high temperatures and the release of gases. Civil unrest - typically defined by law enforcement as a gathering of three or more people, in reaction to an event, with the intention of causing a public disturbance in violation of the law.
