Responding to Natural Disasters and Extreme Weather

What to know

• Natural disasters and extreme weather events can cause significant damage and require immediate intervention.
• Emergency response and recovery workers should prepare for potential hazards they may encounter when responding to natural disasters.
• Use these recommendations to identify risks associated with response activities and take steps to prevent illness and injury.

Overview

Natural disasters come in many different forms that require unique strategies for emergency response and recovery workers. These disasters may include:

• Earthquakes
• Extreme temperatures
• Floods
• Hurricanes
• Tornadoes
• Tsunamis
• Wildfires

Emergency response and recovery workers may encounter physical, chemical, ergonomic, biologic, radiologic, psychological, and other hazards when responding to natural disasters.

Because of the dangers of natural disasters, it is important to know how to protect yourself.

Steps to take

Follow recommendations to prevent illness and injury during specific tasks involved in responding to and cleaning up natural disasters such as:

• Fire cleanup
• Flood cleanup (En Español)
• Trimming trees
• Working in confined spaces
• Working in animal shelters
• Working with displaced animals

Natural disasters are often associated with large amounts of debris and disruption of electrical services. Response activities can involve working with different equipment, tools, and energy sources. Follow guidance to protect yourself when using:

• Chain saws
• Machines and motor vehicles
• Portable generators
• Small gasoline powered engines
• Skid steer loaders (En Español)

Response activities often take place outside. When working outdoors, take steps to prevent:

• Cold stress
• Electrocution
• Exposure to the West Nile Virus
• Heat stress
• Traumatic incident stress

Remember to take general precautions during an emergency response, including use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).

Responding to hurricanes and floods

This document highlights recommendations for responding to specific hazards associated with hurricanes, storms, and floods. The document is available in multiple languages for employers, emergency response and recovery workers, and volunteers.

• CDC/NIOSH Hurricane Key Messages (May 2025)
• Español (Spanish)

A previous version of the key messages is available in Chinese and Vietnamese:

• 中文 (Chinese)
• Việt (Vietnamese)

Keep in mind

• Emergency response and recovery workers responding to hurricanes may encounter hazardous or stressful working conditions.
• All workers going to and leaving a hurricane disaster area should have a medical screening.

Resources

Use these training tools and resources to learn about hazards associated with natural disasters and ways to protect yourself.

Prepare and train for responding to natural disasters with these resources from the:

• Environmental Protection Agency
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration
• National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

You can also use these resources from CDC to:

• Clean up safely after a disaster
• Cope with a disaster or traumatic event
• Prevent injury and illness after a disaster

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