Natural disasters can occur anywhere, at any time. Some are more predictable than others, but they all bring hardship into everyone's life. Examples of natural disasters are earthquakes (Haiti 2010), tornadoes, tsunamis, hurricanes, wildfires, winter storms, heat waves, mudslides, and floods. Regardless of the type of disaster that occurs, in conclusion, everyone must be mentally and physically prepared to deal with the consequences. Education is the first step in preparing you to deal with any major disaster. Three major disasters that have the potential to disrupt the normal daily operations of our lives are hurricanes, tsunamis, and tornadoes. A hurricane is a tropical storm with winds greater than 74 miles per hour (mph). Hurricane wind damage is affected by the duration and change in wind direction, the amount of precipitation, and the quality of ground structures. Hurricanes are measured in five different categories, and each category can produce varying degrees of damage. The category one hurricane sustained winds 74-95 mph. The Category Two hurricane sustained winds of 96-110 mph with very strong winds that can produce widespread damage and extensive damage to power lines. The category three hurricane sustained winds of 111-130 mph that will cause extensive damage with a near-total loss of power that could last days to weeks. The Category Four hurricane sustained winds ranging from 131 to 155, with extremely dangerous winds causing devastating damage. Finally, a category five hurricane sustained winds in excess of 155 mph. This is a storm of catastrophic damage. Category five can cause serious injury or death due to debris carried by the wind. A category five hurricane can produce extensive power outages lasting weeks to possibly months. Therefore… halfway through the document… state what you expect in the recovery process. During the recovery period, it is crucial to monitor local media sources for information on where to obtain emergency shelter, food, medical care. and financial assistance. Direct assistance to individuals and families can come from a variety of organizations such as the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, FEMA, and non-profit organizations. Such organizations can provide food, shelter, essential hygiene supplies, and assist with follow-up cleanup efforts. Finally, safety is the number one priority for surviving and recovering from any major catastrophic event. Education is the key to prevention. Know your area and the common disasters that occur in that particular area. Knowing what they are and how to protect yourself will help make the recovery and healing process faster and easier for you and your family..