How Likely Are You To Die From A Natural Disaster?
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There have been many really catastrophic natural disasters which have occurred in the last few years. Look at the deaths from Katrina, the New Orleans disastrous hurricane. Look at the Indian Ocean earthquake which resulted in the Asian tsunami that together killed over 225,000 people in eleven countries. Think of those who are killed by lightning, by tornadoes and earthquakes. Tsunamis seem to get an abnormal share but often this is caused by the living conditions in the areas where they occur. Many of the people in some of those places are poor and live in housing that is easily swept away, near the seashore and in thickly populated communities. None on record have killed as many as the above Indonesian disaster in 2004. In 1896, one killed 27,000 in Japan, 8,000 in the Philippines in 1976, plus several others with fewer deaths over the years. Of course, the odds of any one person dying from natural disasters varies tremendously by the location one lives in. People in my area for instance, are very unlikely to die from a tsunami unless they drive some 500 miles and spend a lot of time on the beach. But when you lump these disasters all together you can come up with a frightening figure. Believe it or not however, all those natural disasters lumped together do not come close to having the same odds of killing any one person as do the old well known causes of death. These are still lead by heart disease, cancer, respiratory disease and accidental injury, in that order. Cancer is rapidly closing in on heart disease for first place. According to statistics, you are more likely to commit suicide than to be killed by a natural disaster. All of this does not mean one should stop taking precautions against natural disasters. You still shouldn't let yourself be caught on the eighth hole fairway in a thunder storm. Or be caught staring out the picture window when a tornado hits your home. The rarity of these natural phenomena cause many to become complacent and consequently, more lives are taken than would be if people always remained alert by the knowledge of what they can do. I am a perfect example of those who are complacent. Our area is one which has tornadoes relatively often. I have actually seen two or three tornadoes at a distance in my life, yet I rarely take the recommended precautions during a severe thunderstorm.
Webgazine Columnist.
Article submitted Wednesday, March 25, 2009 & read 28 times.
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