Natural Disasters

Natural disasters are a common occurrence throughout the United States. From 2000-2010, the U.S. experienced 560 federally declared natural disasters; the majority due to severe storms (Figure 2). Natural disasters impact every state in the U.S. resulting in hundreds of deaths and destruction of homes, farms, and businesses.

Natural disasters can include any number of weather related events and are often determined by geographical location. Those common to the Midwest include severe thunderstorms, tornadoes and flooding in the spring, extreme temperatures and drought in the summer, and severe winter storms and blizzards in the winter. Less common are the impacts of earthquakes, however many states and rural communities in the Midwest are located within the New Madrid seismic zone.

Fortunately, most natural disaster events are predictable, allowing communities and individuals the opportunity to prepare prior to the event. Preparedness efforts before a natural disaster can help to minimize the impact on you and your family, protect and preserve your home, farm and business. Additionally, preparedness planning for pets and livestock is important to protect their well-being.

This section covers preparedness and recovery actions you can take for natural disaster situations to protect yourself, your family, your home or farm, animals, crops and business.

Floods

Severe Thunderstorms

Tornadoes

Excessive Heat

Drought

Winter Storms