Anytime there’s a disaster in the United States, you’re sure to hear the acronym FEMA. Find out what this government agency does—and doesn’t—do.
Category Archives: Dealing with Disaster
6 Myths About What You Should Do When Disaster Strikes
Do you think you know what to do during an earthquake, a tornado, or a hurricane? Many people still think these six common myths are true. Learn why they’re untrue and what you should actually do instead during these disasters.
Extreme Events
Find out about the range of recent extreme weather events worldwide.
Giant plastic-cleaning system headed to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch
While still a teenager, Boyan Slat of the Netherlands founded the Ocean Cleanup to address the environmental disaster of plastic marine debris. Now one of his ideas is being put into action. But will it work?
How the trauma of Hurricane Harvey plagues some survivors’ mental health 1 year later
Long after the storm has subsided, the devastating effects of a powerful hurricane can linger.
One of the Worst Man-Made Disasters in History
Man-made disasters are entirely preventable. Watch this video to find out why the warning signs of a deadly chain of events in 20th-century Italy were ignored.
A decade into the Katrina diaspora
A diaspora is a scattering of people who all originally came from the same place. See some examples of how the lives of people scattered by the devastation of Hurricane Katrina have changed.
Michael McDaniel: Cheap, Effective Shelter for Disaster Relief
Each year, disasters drive an average of 31.5 million people from their homes, and many remain homeless for months or years afterward. In this speech, Michael McDaniel outlines his efforts to design, build, and find support for a temporary shelter for disaster victims. Will he succeed? View the video and decide for yourself.
The Storm After the Storm: Disaster’s Mental Toll
Survivors of natural disasters have more to deal with than simply rebuilding lost homes. Many will also suffer from PTSD: post-traumatic stress disorder.
Natural disasters — statistics & facts
Get the big picture of types and impacts of natural disasters by clicking around this page. You’ll find graphs ranking disasters by type, location, damage done, and much more.
Dramatic Video Shows Deadly Tsunami Hitting Greenland
As ocean temperatures warm, disasters that have not occurred in recorded history are becoming the norm.
What Would Happen If Yellowstone’s Supervolcano Erupted?
In recent years we’ve heard at lot about the possibility of the volcanoes at Yellowstone erupting. Find out the facts about this rumored disaster.
A Desk That Can Take a Ton of Earthquake Rubble
Good design isn’t just nice to look at; it can also save lives. Read about a school desk designed for disaster.
Bert the Turtle Ducks and Covers
In the mid-20th century a new type of potential disaster emerged in the form of atomic warfare. Learn about how school children were instructed to protect themselves.
Tsunami: An interactive guide that could save your life
There is no way to prevent tsunamis, the powerful waves that can devastate coastal areas. But it is possible to prepare for them, and even get warnings when they are coming. Learn about the causes and effects of tsunamis, and how research can save lives when they strike.
Johnstown Dam Tragedy
The worst man-made disaster in the United States before the September 11th, 2001, attacks occurred in Pennsylvania in 1889. Learn about the causes and effects of this calamity.
Beautiful Plastic Sculptures Tell Ugly Story of Human Garbage in the Ocean
In the middle of the Pacific Ocean swirls a human-made disaster: a giant patch of garbage that has devastating effects on sea life. Learn how artists are creating vivid reminders of this problem in an effort to inspire solutions.
In the dark over power grid security
The electrical supply across North America is interconnected in ways that allow long-distance energy sharing but also leave us vulnerable to an attack. Find out more.
10 Worst Things to Donate After a Disaster
When disaster strikes, many of us want to help as quickly as we can! We personally load boxes full of clothes, blankets, medicine, and even teddy bears, and then we ship them off to organizations helping survivors. Are there better ways for us to help? Read this article about things to do—and not to do—to truly help out after a disaster.
‘Humans of the Water’: The untold stories of La. flood victims
In recent years, the low-lying state of Louisiana has faced one disaster after another. See the human face of the 2016 flood.