This document summarizes the key effects of natural disasters:
1) Natural disasters can take many forms including hurricanes, earthquakes, tsunamis and more, and they cause widespread damage through loss of lives, property destruction, and homelessness.
2) Major disasters like the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami resulted in over 155,000 deaths and $10 billion in damages, displacing millions.
3) Other disasters like Hurricane Pauline in Mexico in 1997 killed hundreds and caused $7.5 billion in losses while leaving thousands homeless.