The document discusses natural disasters and strategies for addressing them. It presents a spectrum showing the probability and severity of different types of emergencies. Maps show hazards from earthquakes, volcanoes, wildfires, and hurricanes in the US. Examples demonstrate impacts from coastal change, hurricanes, and storm surge. Lessons learned questions focus on which hazards to address, conveying science, presenting vulnerability, future implications, and responsibility.

1. What Do We Do About Natural Disasters? James F. Devine Senior Advisor for Science Applications Date: November 15, 2006

2. Spectrum of National Emergencies Probability of Occurrence Low High Severity Nuclear War Nuclear Power Plant Disaster Conventional Large-Scale War Power Grid Failure Earthquake or Tsunami Low Intensity Conflicts Source: Dr. James T O’Kelley, USGS Transportation Structure Failure Airline Crash Shipwreck or Oil Spill Civil Disorder Landslide Train Wreck Hostage Situation Peacekeeping Operation Volcano Terrorist Event Mild Earthquake Environmental or HAZMAT Incident Hurricane or Typhoon Tornado Flood Drought Forest Fire Search & Rescue Operations Low High

3. Natural Disasters – Lower 48 Selected Hazards Major earthquakes 1983-2003 Volcanoes – Potentially active Wildfires reported to Federal agencies – 2001 Major hurricane tracks since 1850 Other Concerns 125 mile buffer from America’s borders Hydrologic units (watersheds) around urban areas Urban Areas Major urban areas Other cities and places with special concerns

4. Earthquake Hazards Zones

5. Volcanic Hazard Zones

6. Understanding Impacts and Vulnerability

7. Understanding Impacts and Vulnerability Extreme Coastal Change Dauphin Island, AL

8. Understanding Impacts and Vulnerability Hurricane Ivan, 2004 Hurricane Katrina, 2005 Dauphin Island, AL

9. Understanding Impacts and Vulnerability Storm Surge Inundation Potential

10. Hurricane Katrina Storm Surge Photograph of the Katrina Storm Surge overtopping the Mississippi River Golf Outlet levee near New Orleans. Photo taken by a utility worker.

11. South Florida Inundation After a 1 Meter (3 ft) Rise in Sea Level Sea Level Rise