WARM2Kids, Inc.

Natural Disasters

We live in a huge country. Our coasts are more then 3,000 miles apart and we have land in the far north on the Arctic Ocean, and tropical islands. All in one country you can find tropical beaches, deserts, mountain forests, flat plains, and deep canyons. There’s so much beauty in our natural surroundings, but Mother Nature can be dangerous as well as awe-inspiring.

Reviewed by Rick Dimaio

You probably hear a lot about natural disasters on the TV, radio, and even in the movies. Many kids have seen The Wizard of Oz, in which Dorothy gets transported to a magical land after getting picked up by a tornado. Of course, this doesn’t mean that you should run after a tornado, trying to reach Emerald City! For those that have been through a natural disaster, it can be a life changing experience. In our society we often rarely think of nature as a dangerous force, but sometimes it can be. And although most people will never be seriously harmed by a natural disaster, it still is important to know about them. After all, nature in all its forms shapes the world we live in.

There have been a number of earthquakes in our country’s history. Alaska and Missouri have seen earthquakes above 8 on the Richter scale (see “definition”), being felt in a 500,000 square mile area. In 1811 and 1812, earthquakes outside St. Louis, Missouri were felt by people in cities over 900 miles away, such as Denver and Boston. San Francisco had major earthquakes in 1906 and in 1989. Few people were actually hurt in the 1989 earthquake, as most of the damage occurred to buildings. The structural damage was staggering, and in Santa Cruz County alone, (the county at the center of the earthquake) over $433 million dollars in damage was reported.

Hurricanes may not seem as major as a volcano or an earthquake, but they are actually the natural disaster that causes the most loss of life in the U.S. In 1908, the Galveston Hurricane hit the mainland United States and traveled northwest on a path that reached Kansas and then turned northeast through Illinois and New York and Maine. This was the most harmful disaster to the country in terms of human life. Fortunately, as our country evolved, we became more prepared and aware of the strength of hurricanes. For example, in 1992 Hurricane Andrew didn’t claim many lives, but DID cause nearly $27 billion in damage! That’s one expensive hurricane!!

Tornadoes are the most frequent natural disaster in the US, with an average of almost 800 reported each year. Tornadoes aren’t such massive events, but their frequency and relative unpredictability are two big reasons why they are a major natural disaster. In 1925 a tornado hit Missouri, Indiana, and Tennessee. It traveled over 200 miles, and was so strong and powerful that it claimed the lives of nearly 750 people. This was the most dangerous tornado in US history. Luckily though, the worst tornadoes in our history occurred before 1950. Since then our country has become more prepared, and now we have the ability to save hundreds of lives. A big problem with tornadoes now is how much they cost!! In 1999 a tornado in Oklahoma caused over $1 billion in damage. But tornadoes are not always just a cause for worry, sometimes they can also be awe-inspiring. Can you believe that in 1971 a tornado in Texas was reported to be over 2 miles wide?

Floods and wildfires are also natural disasters, although many fires are started by human hands. Some floods are very minor, maybe just causing a stream to become a small pond, for instance. At other times, they can cause whole cities to be evacuated! Likewise, wildfires sometimes can spread out of control, causing people to leave their homes to stay safe. These days people can avoid getting hurt by fires and floods because we have such good communication. The weather is constantly monitored, so it’s easy to predict when rain will cause a flood, or when fires are more likely due to hot weather and little rainfall. Chances are, if there’s a fire or flood anywhere near you, you and your family will have plenty of time to reach a safer location.

Although natural disasters can be deadly, it’s important to remember the progress our country has made in protecting people from things like earthquakes and tornadoes. These days people seem to be more worried about the damage natural disasters cause. Our homes, buildings, cars, and roads can all be harmed by natural disasters. On the other hand, natural disasters are what help shape the environment. Mountains are built up by earthquakes and volcanic activity, and forests can often grow back healthier and stronger after a wildfire.