FACT 1

250,000 people were killed by natural disasters in 2004 when the Indian Ocean Tsunami occurred as compared to 67,000 deaths annually throughout the previous decade.

FACT 2

Clean water is harder to find than food after a water-related disaster because water supplies become contaminated.

FACT 3

Many people who are involved in natural disasters experience mental trauma after the event has occurred.

FACT 4

Floods account for approximately 46% of disaster related deaths in the Americas.

FACT 5

The average twister is about 660 feet wide.

FACT 6

A tropical storm becomes a hurricane when the speed of its winds goes over 74 mph.

FACT 7

About 19,000 volcanoes are currently active.

FACT 8

Over the past decade, approximately 258 million people have been affected annually by natural disasters worldwide.

FACT 9

Storm surges (the huge waves created during a hurricane) are usually more dangerous than the strong winds and storms.

FACT 10

Every year about 10,000 people, on average, die as a result of earthquakes.

FACT 11

Tornadoes can form in all 50 states, and earthquakes can occur in 45 states.

FACT 12

A destructive tsunami hits the West Coast of the United States about once every 18 years.

FACT 13

Outdoor fires are most common in the afternoon when the heat from the sun is the hottest.

FACT 14

Volcanoes provide valuable mineral deposits, fertile soils, and geothermal energy.

FACT 15

Floods are dangerous not only because of the high water levels but also because the water can be contaminated.

FACT 16

A safe place to be during an earthquake is in a doorway- door frames are usually reinforced and will be the best protection from falling debris. Hold on until the quake is completely over (most casualties occur during after shocks).

FACT 17

The best place to find shelter during a tornado is in a room without windows and doors.

SOURCES

• FACT 1: Reuters Foundation
• FACT 2: Federal Emergency Management Agency
• FACT 3: Federal Emergency Management Agency
• FACT 4: Reuters Foundation
• FACT 5: National Geographic
• FACT 6: National Geographic
• FACT 7: National Geographic
• FACT 8: Reuters Foundation
• FACT 9: Federal Emergency Management Agency
• FACT 10: Reuters Foundation
• FACT 11: Reuters Foundation
• FACT 12: Federal Emergency Management Agency
• FACT 13: National Geographic
• FACT 14: National Geographic
• FACT 15: Federal Emergency Management Agency
• FACT 16: United States Department of Homeland Security
• FACT 17: United States Department of Homeland Security