When a disaster happens, the response includes actions like warning and evacuating people, rescuing those in danger, and quickly providing food, shelter, and medical care.

Below is a list of states where a disaster has been declared for Individual Assistance by FEMA. Select a state to see if your county is in a declared area and apply online for assistance.

Disaster, any natural or human-generated calamitous event that produces great loss of human life or destruction of the natural environment, private property, or public infrastructure.

Apr 24, 2026 · Find resources and current information, including how to apply for federal assistance, during these ongoing major disaster declarations. Find the most relevant information about disasters …

A slow-onset disaster is defined as one that emerges gradually over time. Slow-onset disasters could be associated with, e.g., drought, desertification, sea-level rise, epidemic disease. A sudden-onset …

Disaster has its roots in the belief that the positions of stars influence the fate of humans, often in destructive ways; its original meaning in English was "an unfavorable aspect of a planet or star."

Disasters are serious disruptions to the functioning of a community that exceed its capacity to cope using its own resources. Disasters can be caused by natural, man-made and technological hazards, …

Oct 10, 2024 · Learn about the different types of natural and human-caused disasters and their impact on behavioral health.

Mar 7, 2026 · Learn what defines a disaster, the difference between hazards and disasters, types of natural and man-made disasters, and how to build a disaster risk management framework.

Natural disasters are a significant cause of fatalities and economic loss in the United States with recovery as the most expensive and time-consuming phase of disaster management. DHS S&T …