Ottawa County Sheriff's Office
Emergency Management - Types of Hazards
A hazard is a dangerous event or circumstance that has the potential to lead to an emergency or disaster. An emergency is an event that can be managed at the local level. A disaster is a dangerous event that requires a response beyond the scope of a local agency. They require a greater level of response than an emergency.
There
are four major types of hazards: natural, technological, nuclear and national
security.
Natural hazards are those caused by natural events. They tend to reoccur in the same geographical locations because most are related to weather patterns or physical characteristics of the area. These include drought and extreme heat, floods and flash floods, hurricanes, high winds, severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, blizzards, and earthquakes.
Technological hazards are those caused by the tools, machines and substances we use in our every day life. Examples include hazardous materials spills and releases (both at fixed sites and transportation incidents), structural fires and explosions.
Nuclear
hazards are those caused by nuclear power facility accidents and
radioactive materials and waste.
National Security hazards are those caused by a human element. These include economics, strikes, terrorism, hostage situations, civil unrest, enemy attack, and special events or any other emergency that seriously degrades or threatens the national security of the United States.
