Vocabulary and Expressions Related to Natural Disasters
When disasters happen, they are usually big news around the world, no matter where they occur. Different locations experience things such as fires, earthquakes and large storms, but what are the proper words for them all?
In order to help you read about and discuss these events in English more accurately, this article will introduce common vocabulary and expressions connected to natural disasters. We'll also introduce some related terms that you are likely to see or hear in the news about these events.
Names for natural disasters
Hurricane/Typhoon
Both of these terms are types of storms called "tropical cyclones." They are storms that begin over large areas of water and bring heavy rain and very strong winds.
Generally, if the storm begins in the Atlantic Ocean, it is called a hurricane, while storms beginning in the Pacific are called typhoons. If the starting point is the South Pacific or Indian Oceans, they are called cyclones.
Residents of the town were told to leave in order to avoid the approaching hurricane.
It is common for this country to experience cyclones this time of year.
Earthquake
Earthquakes are events in which large pieces of land deep underground move, causing the ground above to shake violently. Earthquakes are most common in areas that are above "fault lines," which are big cracks under the ground.
The strength of earthquakes is measured with a system called the Richter scale.
The earthquake measured a 5.1 on the Richter scale.
Earthquakes are sometimes called "tremors."
This area experiences tremors frequently, but they are usually not very strong.
The starting point of an earthquake is called the "epicenter."
The epicenter was about four miles from the city's downtown area.
Shaking that occurs after a major earthquake is called an "aftershock."
After the big earthquake, the town experienced aftershocks for several days.
Tornado
Tornadoes, sometimes called "twisters," are also storms with strong winds. However, while tropical storms occur near oceans and other large bodies of water, tornadoes can appear in areas with no water nearby. They are known for their unique shape, which is wide at the top and narrow near the ground.
Heavy objects carried by strong tornado winds can cause large amounts of damage.
Wildfire
Fires can occur in a variety of sizes. However, very large fires that spread quickly and cover a big area are called wildfires. They usually occur in natural areas with lots of trees, such as forests.
The wildfire caused millions of dollars in damage.
Big fires are also sometimes called "blazes."
The blaze destroyed much of the surrounding area.
The common expression "spread like wildfire" is used for news or other information that quickly reaches many people, such as viral videos, memes or popular songs.
The celebrity's private photos spread like wildfire across the internet.
Flood
Floods occur when large amounts of water cover land that is usually dry.
Because of the flood, the bridges were closed, so residents could not escape the area.
It can also be used as a verb.
The storm flooded our basement.
Drought
While floods are the result of too much water, a drought is the opposite. When there is not much rain for a long period of time, the land becomes dry. This dryness affects how much food can be grown and makes wildfires more likely to occur.
Note that the pronunciation rhymes with "out."
The drought has made it difficult to grow much food this year.
Related terms and expressions
Catastrophe
This is a general term for an event that causes a large amount of destruction. The adjective form is "catastrophic."
Many people posted pictures of the catastrophe on social media.
The damage caused by the tornado was catastrophic.
Intensify
This is a verb meaning "to make something stronger," and it can be heard on the news when discussing storms that grow larger or more dangerous.
Weather forecasts are warning that the storm may intensify by tomorrow night.
The eye of the storm
For tropical cyclones and tornadoes, the very center of the storm is called the "eye." Weather forecasters sometimes refer to this to explain a storm's movement.
The eye of the storm was moving slowly over the small town.
"The eye of the storm" is also a common daily expression for referring to the most difficult or intense part of a situation.
With pressure from competitors and the public, the company found itself in the eye of the storm.
Aftermath
"Aftermath" is a noun that refers to the period of time after an unpleasant event, such as war or a disaster.
People were shocked to see the destruction left in the aftermath of the storm.
Toll
When talking about disasters or accidents, "toll" refers to the number of deaths or injuries that have occurred as a result.
The death toll is expected to rise as rescue workers continue searching through the damaged area.
Responder
When disasters occur, trained professionals go into the affected area to try and rescue survivors and help people in need. These people are called "responders," or sometimes, "first responders."
The local government sent in a team of responders to search for survivors.
Casualty
A "casualty" is a person who has been killed as a result of things like war or disasters.
We are happy to report that the small earthquake caused no casualties.
Evacuation
To "evacuate" is to leave an area in order to avoid danger. "Evacuation" is the noun version."
The television and radio had important information regarding evacuation for people in the region.
Residents were ordered to evacuate the neighborhood as soon as possible.
People who have left dangerous areas are called "evacuees."
The sports arena became a temporary home for many evacuees.
Clean-up
"Clean up" is a phrasal verb that means to make a space clean and organized. However, the noun form (either "clean-up" or "cleanup") refers to the act and process of cleaning after a disaster.
The clean-up will take several years and millions of dollars.
Wrap-up
As climate change continues to affect our planet, scientists warn that we may see more extreme weather events in the future. When hearing about these events, you will most likely see terms covered in this article.
This is also a good time to learn some general expressions related to the environment. We should all learn how to take care of the planet we share because it is the only one we have!
