A natural hazard is a natural process or event that is a potential threat to human life and property. No area of the US is considered entirely 'hazard-free'.
A natural disaster is a hazardous event that occurs over a limited time span within a defined area. Disasters will meet one of the following criteria:
- 10 or more killed
- 100 or more affected
- Declared state of emergency
- Requested international assistance
A catastrophe is a massive disaster that requires a significant expenditure of money and time (years) for recovery. (ex: Hurricane Katrina, $100+ billion in damages/loss)
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