Disaster Preparedness Vocabulary

verb to turn away or prevent something from happening

• The new safety measures were implemented to avert any potential accidents in the workplace.
• I had to quickly avert my eyes when I saw something embarrassing happening.
• She managed to avert a disaster by thinking on her feet.
• His quick thinking helped avert a crisis during the meeting.

noun an event causing great and often sudden damage or distress; a disaster

• The earthquake brought about a great calamity to the region, causing widespread destruction.
• The flood was a total calamity, we had water everywhere in the house.
• The party was a calamity, nothing went as planned and it was a disaster.
• Her failed business venture was a calamity, leaving her in financial ruin.

noun an event causing great and often sudden damage or suffering

• The earthquake was a catastrophic event that caused widespread destruction.
• The party was a total catastrophe, nothing went as planned.
• The concert was a total disaster, it was a real catastrophe.
• Losing my phone would be a catastrophe, I have all my important information on it.

noun the action of destroying something

• The natural disaster caused widespread devastation to the region.
• The devastation left behind by the hurricane was heartbreaking.
• The party was a total disaster, it was pure devastation.
• His betrayal was a form of emotional devastation for her.

noun a sudden and violent shaking of the ground, typically causing great destruction, as a result of movements within the earth's crust

• The earthquake measured 6.5 on the Richter scale, causing significant damage to buildings in the area.
• Did you feel that earthquake last night? It shook the whole house!
• That earthquake was no joke, it had me shaking in my boots!
• Her sudden outburst at the meeting was like an emotional earthquake, leaving everyone stunned.

noun a gate that controls the flow of water, especially one in a dam or river

• The floodgate was opened to allow for controlled release of water from the dam.
• Once they announced the sale, it was like opening the floodgate for customers to come in.
• When she started gossiping, it was like she opened the floodgate of drama.
• The new technology has opened the floodgate for innovation in the industry.

verb to be about to happen; to loom or hang threateningly

• The deadline for the project is impending, so we need to work diligently to complete it on time.
• I can feel the stress building up as the exam day impends.
• I heard the big party is impending this weekend, so make sure to RSVP soon.
• The dark clouds looming in the sky are a sign that a storm is impending.

verb past tense of panic

adjective feeling or showing sudden uncontrollable fear or anxiety

• The passengers panicked when they heard the announcement about the emergency landing.
• I panicked when I realized I had left my phone at home.
• She totally panicked when she saw her ex at the party.
• The team panicked when they were down by two goals in the final minutes of the game.

noun a long high sea wave caused by an earthquake, submarine landslide, or other disturbance

• The tsunami warning system detected a large wave approaching the coast.
• Did you hear about the tsunami warning issued for the coastal areas?
• That tsunami was gnarly, dude!
• The sudden influx of emails was like a tsunami hitting my inbox.

noun a meeting or conference that is expected to result in casualties or fatalities

• The international leaders gathered for the bodybag summit to discuss the recent increase in casualties.
• I heard there's a bodybag summit happening next week to address the rising death toll.
• I can't believe they're having a bodybag summit to talk about all the people getting hurt.
• The heated debate turned the meeting into a bodybag summit with verbal casualties left and right.