Natural Disasters: What You Need To Know To Better Understand And Prepare
Every year, natural disasters disrupt lives and alter landscapes. These extreme events, whether climatic or geological in origin, highlight our vulnerability to the power of nature. Here is a comprehensive guide to understanding their origins, impacts, and ways to protect ourselves.
1- Can natural disasters really be predicted?
Thanks to scientific advances, we can better anticipate certain natural phenomena, notably cyclones, storms, and floods. Satellites and weather models allow for the detection of the formation of a depression or storm, thus providing time to evacuate at-risk areas.
However, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions remain largely unpredictable. Although seismic sensors detect precursor signals, such as vibrations or gas emissions, their large-scale use is still limited.
Concrete example: Hurricane Katrina (2005) was detected several days before it made landfall, but the management of evacuations highlighted the logistical and social challenges of prevention.
2. The impact of global warming on natural disasters
The link between climate change and natural disasters is undeniable. A study by the Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters (CRED) shows that 90% of recent natural disasters are climate-related. Heatwaves, droughts, more intense cyclones, and torrential rains are direct consequences of rising global temperatures.
Why?
- Increased heat promotes evaporation, leading to intense precipitation.
- Melting ice contributes to rising sea levels, worsening coastal flooding.
Note: An increase of just 2°C could double or triple the frequency of extreme weather events, according to the IPCC.
3. Human Footprint: Amplifier of Risks
In addition to global warming, human activities increase vulnerability to natural disasters. For example:
- Deforestation: The removal of forests reduces the soil's ability to absorb water, worsening floods.
- Uncontrolled urbanization: Building on flood-prone areas directly exposes populations to risks.
- Destruction of protective ecosystems: Coral reefs and mangroves, which cushion waves and protect coasts, are destroyed by human exploitation.
**Focus:** Landslides in Haiti after the 2010 earthquake were exacerbated by massive deforestation.
4. Human consequences: mass migrations and displacements
According to the UN, 20 million people are displaced each year due to natural disasters. Cyclones in Asia, such as Typhoon Haiyan (2013), have caused large-scale population displacements.
**In numbers:** Asia accounts for 85% of global climate migrations, mainly due to monsoons, typhoons, and rising waters.
Migrations due to natural disasters are often temporary, but they can become permanent in cases of long-term soil degradation or resource inaccessibility.
5. Administrative procedures after a disaster
When the State recognizes a natural disaster, individuals and businesses can take steps to obtain compensation. Here are the main steps:
- **Verification:** Check the decree published in the **Official Journal**, which lists the affected municipalities.
- **Declaration:** Inform your insurer within 10 days following the publication of the decree.
- **Necessary documents:** Provide a detailed report of the damages, accompanied by photos and invoices if possible.
**Important:** The state of natural disaster does not cover all damages, especially those related to wear and tear or poor maintenance.
6. Statistics that are difficult to establish
It is tempting to think that natural disasters are becoming more frequent. In reality, the data show an increase in material damage but not necessarily in the number of events. However, the most extreme episodes (tsunamis, mega-fires) seem to be intensifying.
A striking example: The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami caused the death of 230,000 people, an exceptional figure compared to annual trends.
Why is it complicated? Advances in prevention and alert systems reduce human losses, but material damage skyrockets due to urban expansion.
7. Prevention and Resilience: Our Weapons Against Disasters
To reduce the impact of disasters, prevention is essential:
Risk mapping: Identify risk areas and limit construction in these spaces.
Sustainable planning: Restore natural ecosystems such as mangroves or dunes.
Public awareness: Teach life-saving actions, like seeking higher ground in case of a tsunami.
In France: The Natural Risk Prevention Plan (PPRN) imposes restrictions on areas exposed to risks.
Key takeaways
Natural disasters remind us of the importance of preserving the environment and preparing for the unexpected. Whether through better land management, scientific innovations, or strengthened international solidarity, we have concrete means to mitigate their impacts. However, the climate emergency requires us to act swiftly to limit future disasters.
