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PPN Disaster Handbook

Types of Disasters

Disasters disrupt lives, systems, and communities. Not all disasters look the same. They can arise from forces of nature or the actions of people. The causes may differ, but the outcomes often overlap: harm to individuals, strain on healthcare systems, and long-term recovery needs.

Disasters typically fall into two broad categories: 1. Natural and 2. Human-made. 

Understanding the type of disaster helps guide planning, response, and recovery efforts.

 

Natural 
Human-Made
  • Avalanche
  • Cyclone
  • Drought
  • Earthquake
  • Extreme Cold
  • Extreme Heat
  • Floods
  • Hurricane
  • Infectious Disease
  • Tornado
  • Tsuanmi
  • Typhoon
  • Volcanic Eruption
  • Wildfire
  • Bombings
  • Building or Structure Collapse
  • Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives (CBRNE)
  • Cyber-Attack
  • Hazardous Material Spill
  • Industrial Fire
  • Nuclear Power Accident
  • Pollution
  • Shooting
  • Terrorism
  • Transportation Accident
  • War
 

Can you think of any disasters we didn’t list? Are they natural or human-made?

Written by Dennis Ren

Last updated: 5/30/2025

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