1. Calhoun County Schools – Technology Integration Project 2005
Natural Disasters
Jill Brookes
Saks Elementary
Calhoun County Schools – Technology Integration Project 2005

2. Types of Natural Disasters
Tornadoes
Hurricanes
Earthquakes
Volcanoes
Floods
Tsunamis
Winter Storms
Wildfires

3. Tornadoes Rotating, funnel-shaped clouds from powerful thunderstorms
Winds up to 300 MPH capable of producing major damage
More occur in the United States than anywhere else in the world; they occur in every state in America.
Related Websites:
FEMA for Kids
National Geographic: Nature’s Fury
Scholastic Weather Watch
National Geographic: Tornado Chasers

4. Tornado Preparation
Visit this website for tornado safety tips for home, school, outdoors, mobile homes, and large buildings.
National Weather Service: Tornado!

5. Effects of Tornadoes in Alabama
Tuscaloosa County: December 16, 2000

6. Hurricanes Massive severe storms occurring in the tropics
Winds greater than 75 MPH
Clouds & winds spin around the eye
Produce heavy rains, high winds, large waves, and spin-off tornadoes
Related Websites:
NOAA: Hurricanes Tropical Twisters
National Geographic Kids – Hurricane!
BrainPop movie

7. Hurricane Preparations
Visit this website to learn more about preparing for the effects of hurricanes and tropical storms.
Hurricane Preparedness for Kids

8. Effects of Alabama Hurricanes
Hurricane Frederick
Hurricane Ivan 2005

9. Earthquakes Shaking caused by movements of plates in the earth’s crust
Occur along faults – borders between two plates
Occur most often along the Ring of Fire
Related Websites:
National Geographic: Earthquakes
Exploratorium Faultline Project
USGS: Earthquakes for Kids

10. Preparing for Earthquakes
Visit this site to learn more about earthquakes. Scroll down through the page to discover valuable tips for earthquake safety.
Weather Wiz Kids: Earthquakes

11. Volcanoes Volcano World Virtual Field Trips
More than 500 active volcanoes in the world; over half in the Ring of Fire
Pressure builds below the earth’s surface producing eruptions of lava, rock, and volcanic gases
Related Websites:
National Geographic Kids – Volcano!
Build a Volcano Activity
Volcano World Virtual Field Trips

12. Preparing for a Volcano
Visit this site for safety tips before, during, and after a volcano.
Weather Wiz Kids: Volcano Safety

13. Floods Result from heavy rains
May involve rivers overflowing, storm surge/ocean waves, & dams or levees breaking
Most common natural hazard
Flashfloods = floods that happen very fast
Related websites:
PBS: In Focus – Floods!
How TVA Stops Floods
Nova – Hot Science: The River’s Gift

14. Flood Preparations
Visit this site to learn more about floods, and scroll down to discover important flood safety tips.
Weather Wiz Kids – Rain and Floods

15. Tsunamis
Form as a result of earthquakes, volcanoes, or landsides under the ocean
Waves grow taller as they reach the coast
Four out of Five occur in the Ring of Fire
Over 200,000 people killed in the 12/26/05 Indian Ocean tsunami
Related Websites:
National Geographic Kids – Killer Wave!
Pacific Tsunami Museum – Student Corner
PBS – Savage Earth: Tsunamis

16. Tsunami Preparedness
Visit this website for important tips for surviving a tsunami.
FEMA Hazards Fact Sheets: Tsunami

17. Effects of Tsunamis
Indian Ocean Tsunami – December 26, 2005

18. Winter Storms
May include snow, ice storms, sleet, freezing rain, and extremely cold temperatures
Most deaths occur in automobiles
Storms may cause widespread power outages
Related Websites:
National Weather Service: Winter Storms
Risk Watch: Severe Winter Storms
Scholastic – Winter Storms

19. Winter Storm Preparations
Visit these sites for tips on how to prepare for a winter storm.
CDC: Winter Storm Facts
Winter Storm Fact Sheet

20. Wildfires Occur in forests, grasslands, and wooded areas
Most common causes: lightning and human accidents
Burn more than 4 million acres in the U.S. each year
Related Websites:
Smokey Bear: Kids
National Geographic: Wildfires
Dialogue for Kids – Wildfire Facts

21. Preparing for Wildfires
Visit this site to learn important tips for protecting your family and home during a wildfire.
Risk Watch: Wildfires

22. Assignment
Using what you have just learned, choose the natural disaster that interests you the most.
Family Disaster Plan: Imagine that the disaster you have chosen is about to strike your town. How would your family prepare? Think about the preparations that you could make to help protect your family. Write an expository paragraph explaining the steps you would take to prepare for the disaster.
Disaster Supply Kit: Think about the materials and supplies that would help your family survive a natural disaster. On your big paper, draw and label the contents of a good disaster supply kit.