Natural Disasters Disaster Event: powerful event that causes substantial disorganization, disruption, or destruction to an area, community, or series of communities Natural Disaster: a disaster that is caused by natural (nonhuman) factors

Characteristics of Natural Disasters Usually sudden Usually unpredictable Uncontrollable Destructive Acute Usually clear low point Limited area of victims

What Affects the Impact of Natural Disasters on Victims? Event duration Event severity and life threat Clear and early low point Warning Preparedness of community Social cohesion of community Property/possession loss Financial loss Separation from family Death or injury of relative or friend Witnessing injury or death

Technological Catastrophes Technological Catastrophe: a disaster event that is caused by man-made factors and interventions

Examples of Technological Catastrophes Scarborough: radioactive wasteland Stouffville: chemical waste dump Pickering Nuclear Plant: the next Chernobyl?

Characteristics of Technological Catastrophes Sudden Unpredictable Often no clear low point Perceptions of control altered Extent of effects unclear Expanded area of victims Disquieting publicity Loss of trust in government officials Feelings of anger/betrayal by authorities Damage may not be visible

Natural Disasters vs. Technological Catastrophes (Veitch & Arkkelin, 1995) CHARACTERISTIC OF EVENT NATURAL DISASTERTECHNOLOGICAL CATASTROPHE SIZE-Often large geographical area directly affected -Response from remote geographical locales is that it probably won’t happen here -Often only small geographical areas directly affected -Response from remote locales is: When will it happen here? PROPORTION OF POPULATION AFFECTED -Nearly everyone in immediate locale -Only some in more remote locales -Nearly everyone directly in immediate locale -Many others indirectly from afar VISIBILITY-Usually environment is disfigured with homes, businesses, etc. visually destroyed - Can be both visible and invisible destruction

Natural Disasters vs. Technological Catastrophes (Veitch & Arkkelin, 1995) CHARACTERISTIC OF EVENT NATURAL DISASTERTECHNOLOGICAL CATASTROPHE RAPIDITY OF INVOLVEMENT/ PREDICTABILITY -Usually abrupt, though some hurricanes, tornadoes, etc. are forecast with some lead time -Usually sudden (e.g., dam breaks) -Exception: e.g., toxic waste leakage which is more insidious) LENGTH OF INVOLVEMENT/ EVENT DURATION -Often short duration (acute) -Often identifiable low point -Often effects are short-lived (but rebuilding can take time) -May be relatively short- lived (e.g., plane crash) -May be long-lasting (chronic; e.g., toxic leak) -Sometimes no clear low point PERCEPTION OF CONTROLLABILITY -Not usually viewed as controllable -Usually perceived as a loss or usurpation of control

Risk Perception: Heuristics/Shortcuts/General Inferential Rules Certainty: denial of uncertainty Availability: an event is more probable if it can be recalled Worst case: judgement based upon worst possible outcome

Effects of Natural Disasters and Technological Catastrophes No panic; stunned and numb response Stress-related responses –Anxiety –Depression –Nightmares and flashbacks –Phobias –Mood disturbances –Physical symptoms (e.g., pain, nausea)

Hans Selye Selye was the pioneer in stress theory. Stress was defined as the nonspecific response of the body to any demands made upon it.

General Adaptation Syndrome: Hans Selye Alarm reaction (flight or fight) Resistance (adaptation—coping responses, but at a cost to the individual) Exhaustion (may lead to death if stress is prolonged)