Learning intentions:
- Identify how hazards can impact on people and property
- Identify what makes someone vulnerable to the impacts of a natural hazard
- Explain how a natural hazard can become a disaster
What causes disasters?
A disaster occurs when a community is unable to protect itself from the impact of a hazard event and there is widespread damage to property, loss of life or injuries.
Natural hazards don’t inevitably lead to a disaster. A disaster only occurs when a natural hazard impacts upon a vulnerable community.
Natural Hazard + Vulnerable Community = Disaster
Vulnerability is the diminished ability of an individual, group or community to anticipate, cope with, resist and recover from the impact of a natural hazard.
People can be vulnerable if:
- They don’t understand the local hazards or the impacts they can have.
- They have no access to information about how to protect themselves or their property.
- They don’t have the resources they need to take action to protect themselves and their property.
| Flood | Fire |
| Read the case study on the 2011, Grantham Floods | Read the case study on the 2009, Black Saturday Bushfires |
| View Case Study | View Case Study |
| In pairs or small groups, discuss and record your responses the following questions: 1. What were the impacts of the flood? 2. List reasons why people were vulnerable to the impacts of the flood? | In pairs or small groups, discuss and record your responses the following questions: 1. What were the impacts of the bushfire? 2. List reasons why people were vulnerable to the impacts of the bushfire? |
Extension activity
Lead the class in a reflective discussion about the lesson. You could ask:
- When does a hazard event become a disaster?
- Can you think of people in your community who might be vulnerable to the impacts of a hazard event?
- Would you or your family be vulnerable to the impacts of a hazard event? Why/why not?
- Find out as much additional information as you can about the case study events.