Disaster

A disaster (from Greek meaning, "bad star") is a natural or man-made event that negatively affects life, property, livelihood or industry often resulting in permanent changes to human societies, ecosystems and environment. Disasters manifest as hazards exacerbating vulnerable conditions and exceeding individuals' and communities' means to survive and thrive. Most events included herein are compiled from United States Federal Emergency Management Agency and Department of Homeland Security. http://www.fema.gov/hazards/http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/

Related Topics:
Greek - Natural - Life - Property - Industry - Societies - Ecosystems - Environment - Hazards - Vulnerable

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The word's roots imply that when the stars are in a bad position, a disaster is about to happen. The Latin pejorative dis and astro, star (L. aster), creating the Italian disastro, which came in to the English language in the 16th century (OED 1590) through the French desastre.

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