Disasters are sudden events that cause great damage or loss of life. They can be natural (caused by nature) or man-made (caused by humans). This vocabulary list covers common disasters in English, along with example sentences to help you use each word correctly.
Natural Disasters
Natural disasters are extreme events caused by natural forces. They can damage property, hurt people, and disrupt communities.
| English | Example Sentence | English | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| earthquake | The earthquake shook the city for several minutes. | flood | Heavy rain caused a flood in the village. |
| hurricane | The hurricane damaged thousands of homes. | tornado | A tornado swept through the countryside. |
| tsunami | A tsunami followed the undersea earthquake. | volcano | The volcano erupted, sending ash into the sky. |
| avalanche | An avalanche buried the mountain resort in snow. | wildfire | Wildfires destroyed large areas of forest. |
| drought | The region suffered a long drought without rain. | landslide | A landslide blocked the mountain road. |
Man-Made Disasters
Man-made disasters result from human activities, accidents, or negligence.
| English | Example Sentence | English | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| industrial accident | The industrial accident released toxic chemicals. | oil spill | An oil spill polluted the ocean coastline. |
| nuclear disaster | The nuclear disaster forced people to evacuate the area. | fire | A large fire broke out in the downtown building. |
| bombing | The city experienced a bombing during the war. | chemical leak | The chemical leak contaminated local water supplies. |
| explosion | The explosion damaged several nearby buildings. | building collapse | The building collapse trapped many workers inside. |
An _______ polluted the ocean coastline.
oil spill
An oil spill occurs when petroleum is accidentally released into the environment, especially marine areas.
A large _______ broke out in the downtown building.
fire
A fire is a destructive burning event that can occur in buildings or natural areas.
Disaster-Related Terms
These are general terms often used when talking about disasters, emergency response, and recovery.
| English | Example Sentence | English | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| evacuation | The evacuation order saved many lives. | emergency services | Emergency services responded quickly to the scene. |
| rescue | Rescue teams searched for survivors all night. | shelter | People took shelter in a nearby school. |
| survivor | The survivor was found alive after two days. | damage | The storm caused severe damage to buildings. |
| aid | International aid arrived to help the victims. | recovery | The city is still in recovery after the disaster. |
| warning | Authorities issued a warning about the approaching storm. | relief | Relief efforts provided food and water to families. |
The _______ was found alive after two days.
survivor
A survivor is someone who lives through a disaster or dangerous event.
Summary
This disasters vocabulary list includes natural disasters, man-made disasters, and important related terms. Use these words to describe events, understand news reports, and talk about emergency situations in English.
Flashcards (1 of 14)
- Example Sentence: Heavy rain caused a flood in the village.
- English: flood
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
