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Emergency safety guides
Clear, practical steps for 17 kinds of emergency, from earthquakes and wildfires to chemical spills and outbreaks. Each guide links to live activity on the map.
QUAK
EarthquakeEarthquakes strike without warning. Knowing what to do in the first seconds of shaking is …TSUN
TsunamiA tsunami can reach the coast minutes after a large undersea earthquake. Strong or long sh…VOLC
Volcanic eruptionEruptions bring ashfall, lava, toxic gas and fast mudflows called lahars that follow river…FIRE
WildfireWind-driven wildfires can move faster than people can run. Leaving early is the single mos…STOR
Hurricane and cycloneHurricanes, typhoons and cyclones bring destructive wind, flooding rain and storm surge, t…TORN
TornadoTornadoes form quickly in severe thunderstorms. Warnings often give only minutes to reach …FLOO
Flood and landslideFloods are among the most common and deadly disasters. Most flood deaths happen in vehicle…WEAT
Extreme heat and coldHeat waves kill more people than any other weather hazard in many countries, and extreme c…AIR
Wildfire smoke and air qualitySmoke and pollution can travel hundreds of miles. Fine particles (PM2.5) are the main heal…SPAC
Space weatherSolar storms can disrupt GPS, radio and power grids, but rarely harm people on the ground.…HAZM
Chemical spill and hazmatChemical releases from plants, trains and trucks can force people to shelter in place or e…NUCL
Nuclear and radiological emergencyIn a radiation emergency, getting inside a solid building quickly gives the most protectio…EXPL
Explosion and building fireFires and explosions spread smoke fast. Getting out and staying out saves lives.…TRAN
Transport disasterPlane crashes, derailments and ferry sinkings affect families far from the scene. Official…INFR
Power outage and infrastructure failureLong power and water outages create their own hazards, from carbon monoxide to unsafe drin…SECU
Active attack and civil emergencyIn an attack or civil emergency, the first moves are to get away from danger and alert eme…HEAL
Disease outbreakOutbreaks spread fastest where information is slow. Follow local public health authorities…
EarthquakeEarthquakes strike without warning. Knowing what to do in the first seconds of shaking is …TSUN
TsunamiA tsunami can reach the coast minutes after a large undersea earthquake. Strong or long sh…VOLC
Volcanic eruptionEruptions bring ashfall, lava, toxic gas and fast mudflows called lahars that follow river…FIRE
WildfireWind-driven wildfires can move faster than people can run. Leaving early is the single mos…STOR
Hurricane and cycloneHurricanes, typhoons and cyclones bring destructive wind, flooding rain and storm surge, t…TORN
TornadoTornadoes form quickly in severe thunderstorms. Warnings often give only minutes to reach …FLOO
Flood and landslideFloods are among the most common and deadly disasters. Most flood deaths happen in vehicle…WEAT
Extreme heat and coldHeat waves kill more people than any other weather hazard in many countries, and extreme c…AIR
Wildfire smoke and air qualitySmoke and pollution can travel hundreds of miles. Fine particles (PM2.5) are the main heal…SPAC
Space weatherSolar storms can disrupt GPS, radio and power grids, but rarely harm people on the ground.…HAZM
Chemical spill and hazmatChemical releases from plants, trains and trucks can force people to shelter in place or e…NUCL
Nuclear and radiological emergencyIn a radiation emergency, getting inside a solid building quickly gives the most protectio…EXPL
Explosion and building fireFires and explosions spread smoke fast. Getting out and staying out saves lives.…TRAN
Transport disasterPlane crashes, derailments and ferry sinkings affect families far from the scene. Official…INFR
Power outage and infrastructure failureLong power and water outages create their own hazards, from carbon monoxide to unsafe drin…SECU
Active attack and civil emergencyIn an attack or civil emergency, the first moves are to get away from danger and alert eme…HEAL
Disease outbreakOutbreaks spread fastest where information is slow. Follow local public health authorities…