Natural Disasters
and how to
Prepare
Types of Natural Disasters
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Tornadoes
Hurricanes
Earthquakes
Volcanoes
Floods
Tsunamis
Winter Storms
Wildfires
Tornadoes
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Rotating, funnel-shaped clouds from powerful
thunderstorms
Winds up to 300 MPH capable of producing major
damage
Click here to grow a
Tornado.
Now the Lingo….
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Tornado Watch – A tornado is possible.
Stay informed (t.v., text, radio) about the
weather and be prepared.
Tornado Warning – A tornado has been
seen on the ground or by the computer.
Take shelter immediately.
Tornado Preparation
9: Watch Out for Fire Hazards
8: In Your Car
 Do NOT try to outrun the storm. It's faster than your car is.
Get out of your car and try to get inside a building or head
toward the lowest area, preferably a ditch away from heavy
objects. Lie down flat and cover your head with your arms,
and don't get up until you know the funnel has passed.
7: In a Public Building
 Go to the smallest room, like a closet, bathroom or interior
hallway with no windows in the room and no heavy objects
overhead. The basement is the safest place during a
tornado so get down to the lowest floor as quickly and
safely as you can.
6: In a Mobile Home
 They aren't anchored to the ground and can easily be thrown
by a large twister. Never stay in your mobile home if a
tornado threatens your property. Go immediately to a
prearranged shelter and get to the lowest room without
windows. If you don't have such a shelter, go outside as a
last resort and lie flat on the ground at the lowest point,
preferably in a ditch. This may seem crazy, but you won't
think so when you see your mobile home being relocated by a
funnel cloud.
5: Assume the Position
 Get under the largest and sturdiest piece of furniture you can
find. Get into a tight ball on the floor and cover your head
with your arms, locking your hands together. Door frames are
the next best thing to a heavy table. The framework of the
door offers more support than the interior ceiling.
4: Keep Away from Windows
 Get well away from any windows or glass. If they are blown out
they will send chunks of glass flying as fast as 300 plus miles per
hour. If you have no option to avoid windows, cover yourself with
a heavy blanket and assume the position mentioned in the
previous tip.
3: Know Your Terminology
 There's a big difference between a tornado watch and a tornado
warning. "Watch" may sound like you should look out for a twister
speeding your way, but it's actually the lesser, initial alert. It
means that conditions are favorable for the formation of a tornado.
You don't need to run to your basement, but it's not a bad idea to
get your plan together.
 A "warning" actually means that a tornado has been spotted in
your area. This means it's time for action, and you should
immediately take shelter.
2: Practice Makes Perfect
 The best way to ensure that you and your family are
prepared for a tornado is to run through your emergency
routine from time to time.
1: Emergency Kit
 Prep an emergency kit for the event of a tornado. Give
yourself at least three days of supplies, and don't forget
to account for your pets. Bottled water, nonperishable
foods, a first-aid kit and a flashlight are all mandatory.
Also include a multi-tool, matches and lighters, a
battery-powered radio and a whistle. Don't forget some
extra batteries, a can opener and any prescription drugs
you and your family would need. It's also a good idea to
stash some cash, a copy of your credit cards and you
insurance information, in case everything else above you
is blown away.
Hurricanes
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Massive severe storms occurring in the tropics
Winds greater than 75 MPH
Clouds & winds spin around the eye
Produce heavy rains, high winds, large waves, and
spin-off tornadoes
Click here to make
a hurricane.
Hurricane Preparations
What can you do?
 Watch the local weather. They will tell you exactly what to do
in case of a hurricane.
Disaster meeting place:
 Ask your family to decide on a meeting place in case you get
separated during a disaster. Choose an out-of-town relative or
friend who you can check in with to say you're OK.
Get the house ready:
 Help get the house ready by picking up loose items in the
yard, covering windows with 5/8 inch marine plywood,
removing roof antennas and turning off utilities.
Disaster supply kit:
 Make sure your family has a disaster supply kit assembled
and ready to use.
Pets:
 Find a place for them to stay if you have to evacuate your
home. Make sure this safe place is outside the evacuated
area. If your family plans to stay in a public shelter, you will
have to keep your pets somewhere else. Pets are not allowed
in emergency shelters, expect service animals.
Talk about it!
 A hurricane can be a scary thing! If you're scared or have
questions, be sure to talk about it with a trusted adult.
Keep Track
 Download a hurricane tracking chart (703k PDF) from NOAA.
When a hurricane forms, you can follow its course by listening
to the news or checking NOAA's hurricane site and you can
plot it on the chart.
 You can also visit NOAA's COMET Create-a-cane and Aim a
Hurricane pages to learn more about this powerful weather
phenomenon.
Earthquakes
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Shaking caused by slipping of plates in the
earth’s crust
Occur along faults – borders between two
plates
Experiment
Richter Scale Activity
Know the Lingo…
EPICENTER - The point on the earth's surface directly
above the source of the earthquake.
SEISMIC WAVES - The energy created by the quake
travels in waves from the epicenter. The waves shake
buildings, structures and the earth!
RICHTER SCALE - A measurement of an earthquake's
intensity. Each one-point increase on the scale
indicates ten times the amount of shaking and 33
times the amount of energy. May be equal to 10,000
times the energy of the first atomic bomb.
Preparing for Earthquakes
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BEFORE AN EARTHQUAKE: Have a disaster plan.
Choose a safe place in every room. It’s best to get
under a sturdy piece of furniture like a table or a desk
where nothing can fall on you. Practice DROP, COVER
AND HOLD ON! Drop under something sturdy, hold
on, and protect your eyes by pressing your face
against your arm. If you live in an earthquake prone
area, bolt tall furniture to the wall and install strong
latches to cupboards. Prepare an emergency survival
kit for your home.
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DURING AN EARTHQUAKE: DROP, COVER AND HOLD
ON! Stay indoors until the shaking stops. Stay away from
windows. If you’re in bed, hold on and stay there,
protecting your head with a pillow. If you’re outdoors,
find a clear spot away from buildings, trees and power
lines. Then, drop to the ground. If you’re in a car, slow
down and drive to a safe place. Stay in the car until the
shaking stops.
AFTER THE SHAKING STOPS: Check for injuries.
Inspect your home for damage. Eliminate fire hazards,
so turn off the gas if you think its leaking. Expect
aftershocks. Each time you feel one, DROP, COVER AND
HOLD ON.
Volcanoes
Build A Volcano
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More than 500 active volcanoes in the world
Pressure builds below the earth’s surface
producing eruptions of lava, rock, and volcanic
gases
Volcano Activity
Know the Lingo….
MAGMA - Magma is the liquid rock inside a volcano.
LAVA - Lava is the liquid rock (magma) that flows out of a
volcano. Lava glows red hot to white hot as it flows.
GEYSERS - Geysers are springs that throw boiling water high
in the air. They are caused by volcanic heat warming
trapped ground water.
ASH - Ash are very small fragments of lava or rock blasted
into the air by volcanic explosions.
PUMICE - It is a light-colored volcanic rock containing lots of
bubbles from trapped gases.
Preparing for a Volcano
PLAN FOR A VOLCANO: First of all, have a disaster
plan and know whether or not you are at risk for
danger. Be prepared for mudslides, flash floods,
earthquakes, ash falling, acid rain and tsunamis.
Prepare a disaster supplies kit for your home and
car. Include a first aid kit, canned food and a can
opener, bottled water, battery-operated radio,
flashlight, protective clothing, dust mask, goggles
and sturdy shoes. Don't forget, know all of your
evacuation routes.
DURING A VOLCANO: Follow the evacuation order issued by
authorities. Avoid areas downwind and river valleys
downstream of the volcano. If you’re caught indoors, close all
windows and doors, put machinery inside a barn, and bring
animals inside. If you’re trapped outdoors, seek shelter
indoors. If you’re caught in falling rocks, roll into a ball and
protect your head. If you’re caught near a stream, be aware
of mudflows and move to higher ground. Protect yourself
when ash falls by wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
Use goggles to protect your eyes. Wear a dust mask and keep
car engines off.
AFTER A VOLCANO: Cover your mouth and nose. Volcanic ash
can irritate your respiratory system. Wear goggles and protect
your eyes. Keep your skin covered. Clear roofs of ash,
because the ash is very heavy and can cause the building to
collapse.
Floods
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Result from heavy rains
May involve rivers overflowing, storm
surge/ocean waves, & dams or levees breaking
Most common natural hazard
Flashfloods = floods that happen very fast
Make it Rain
Activity
Know the Lingo….
FLOOD WATCH - means that an overflow of water from a
river is possible for your area.
FLASH FLOOD WATCH - means that flash flooding is
possible in or close to the watch area. Flash Flood Watches
can be put into effect for as long as 12 hours, while heavy
rains move into and across the area.
FLOOD WARNING - means flooding conditions are actually
occurring in the warning area.
FLASH FLOOD WARNING - means that flash flooding is
actually occurring in the warning area. A warning can also
be issued as a result of torrential rains, a dam failure or
snow thaw.
Flood Preparations
BEFORE A FLOOD: Have a disaster plan and prepare
a disaster supplies kit for your home and car.
Include a first aid kit, canned food, can opener,
bottled water, battery-operated radio, flashlight,
protective clothing and written instructions on how
to turn off electricity, gas, and water.
DURING A FLOOD: Move to a safe area quickly. Move to
higher ground, like the highest floor of your home. Avoid
areas subject to sudden flooding like low spots and
canyons. Avoid already flooded areas. If a flowing
stream of water is above your ankles stop, turn around
and go the other way. Do not attempt to drive through a
flooded road. The depth of the water is not obvious and
the road may be washed away. If your car stalls, leave it
and seek higher ground. Rapidly rising water may engulf
the car, pick it up and sweep it away. Kids should never
play around high water, storm drains or viaducts. Be
cautious at night, because its harder to see flood
dangers. If told to evacuate, do so immediately.
AFTER THE FLOOD: Always, boil drinking water. Electrical
equipment should be checked and dried before used.
Tsunamis
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Form as a result of earthquakes under the ocean
Waves grow taller as they reach the coast
Over 200,000 people killed in the 12/26/05 Indian
Ocean tsunami
Tsunami Clip
Tsunami Preparedness
PLAN FOR A TSUNAMI:
 Have a disaster plan.
 Know whether you’re at risk for danger.
 Plan an evacuation route.
 Prepare a disaster supplies kit for your home
and car.
DURING A TSUNAMI:
 Follow the instructions issued by local
authorities.
 You will probably want to evacuate immediately.
 Get to higher ground and as far inland as you
can.
AFTER A TSUNAMI:
 Help injured or trapped people.
 Stay out of a building if water remains around it.
Tsunami waters can cause buildings to sink,
floors to crack, or walls to collapse.
 When re-entering homes, use extreme caution.
 Check for gas leaks.
 Open windows and doors to help dry things out.
 Look for fire hazards.
Wildfires
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Occur in forests, grasslands, and wooded areas
Most common causes: lightning and human
accidents
Fire Escape Plan
Know the Lingo….
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SURFACE FIRES - The most common type of wildfires, they
move slowly and burn along the forest floor, killing and
damaging vegetation.
GROUND FIRES - These are usually started by lightning.
They burn on or below the forest floor through the root system.
CROWN FIRES - These fires spread by wind moving quickly
along the tops of trees.
SANTA ANA WINDS - "Santa Ana" is the name given to the
gusty northeast or east wind that occurs in Southern California
during the fall and winter months. Santa Ana winds are often
hot and very dry, greatly aggravating the fire danger in forests
and bush lands.
Preparing for Wildfires
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BEFORE A WILDFIRE: Have a disaster plan. Know
whether you’re in a wildfire prone area. Plant fire resistant
shrubs and trees around your home. Have a garden hose
that is long enough to reach around your home. Prepare a
disaster supplies kit for your home and car. Always pay
attention to local news for the latest information and
instructions for your area.
DURING A WILDFIRE: If you’re advised to evacuate
then do so immediately. Wear protective clothing and lock
your home. Tell someone you left and where you are
going. Choose a safe route away from fire hazards. Watch
for changes in the speed and direction of fire and smoke.
AFTER A WILDFIRE: Stay away from wildfire areas until
it is safe.
Assignment
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Using what you have just learned, choose the
natural disaster that interests you the most.
 Family Disaster Plan: Imagine that the disaster
you have chosen is about to strike your town.
How would your family prepare? Think about the
preparations that you could make to help protect
your family. Fill out the Family Emergency Plan
information at home.
 Disaster Supply Kit: Think about the materials
and supplies that would help your family survive a
natural disaster. On your big paper, draw and
label the contents of a good disaster supply kit.