disaster 5th 1108_5th ed 2011 - Homeland Security and Emergency ...

FACTS & FIGURES BY TYPE OF DISASTER
Avalanches, Landslides & Mudflows
There are about 1 million snow avalanches worldwide each year.
Flooding in Venezuela triggered landslides and mudflows that washed away
entire villages and mountain slopes claiming over 30,000 lives in 1999.
Earthquakes
The U.S. Geological Survey estimates that several million earthquakes
occur each year but most go undetected. About 500,000 are detected each
year - only 100,000 are felt and 100 cause damage.
The world’s deadliest earthquake on record hit central China in 1557 killing
an estimated 830,000 people.
Scientists believe the Cascadia Subduction zone along the Northwest coastline
could produce mega-quakes similar to the 9.0 that rocked Indonesia.
Some of the strongest earthquakes in U.S. history occurred on the New
Madrid fault (area between St. Louis and Memphis) in 1811-1812. This
area still experiences about 200 earthquakes a year.
Aftershocks may be felt for several days, weeks, months or even years
depending on the force of a major earthquake.
Extreme Heat
According to NOAA’s National Climatic Data Center, 80% of the contiguous
United States was in moderate-to-extreme drought back in July 1934.
Today less than half a billion people live in water-stressed countries but
projections indicate by 2025 that number could increase to 3 billion.
Fire
Fire kills more Americans every year than all natural disasters combined.
At least 80% of all fire deaths occur in residences -- and careless smoking
is the leading cause of fire deaths. And cooking fires (leaving food
unattended or human error) is the leading cause of home fires.
Floods
According to FEMA, everyone lives in a flood zone - it's just a question of
whether you live in a low, moderate or high risk area.
www.itsadisaster.net or call 1-888-999-4325
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