Natural disasters such as hurricanes, earthquakes and floods can cause significant environmental damage and result in the unwanted release of pollutants into the air and water. Disasters can also generate enormous amounts of solid waste. As part of the National Contingency Plan, the EPA helps to coordinate the local and federal responses to natural disasters. The EPA is the primary agency responsible for emergency support related to hazardous materials and provides technical assistance for environmental monitoring needs. The EPA also helps states and local communities develop contingency plans for managing the debris and other products of natural disasters.

Recommended EPA Web pages

• Natural Disasters and Weather Emergencies
  Provides information about natural disasters and weather emergencies.
• Green Communities: Natural Disasters Action Plan
  When disaster strikes, the best protection is knowing what to do.
• General Information Related to Many Disasters
  Provides general information about different types of disasters.

Characterization

Contingency Plans
National Contingency Plan (NCP), Oil Removal Contingency Plan, Spill Prevention

Counter-Terrorism
Water Security

Disasters
Fire, Floods, Hurricanes, September 11 Response, Tornadoes, Volcanoes

Emergency Response
Consequence Management, Countermeasures, Mobile Laboratories, National Response Team (NRT), On Scene Coordinators, Radiological Emergency Response Team, September 11 Response, Training

Oil Spills
Facility Response Plan

Poisoning
Lead Poisoning, Mercury Poisoning, Pesticides

Reporting
Reporting Requirements, Toxics Release Inventory (TRI)