People in areas that can expect and predict natural disasters adapt in different ways.

Here are a few examples:

• If they can afford it, people buy insurance to help when property is damaged or lost.
• Evacuation plans are necessary in some areas, such as coastal regions prone to hurricanes.
• Schools hold emergency drills to prepare students in the event that disaster strikes during the school day.
• Keeping informed about weather conditions by local television and radio helps to prepare and keep the public aware of emergency procedures.

There are cases, such as Hurricane Katrina in 2005, when the disaster is so devastating that the population of an area shrinks. The population may not return to the numbers present before a disaster for various reasons; some examples include:

• Jobs may not exist due to damage and loss.
• The loss of home, family, and friends may be too emotionally difficult to recover.
• The environment may be unsafe for a time.
• Rebuilding may take time, and may be too expensive.

Settlement Patterns - You Decide

Imagine that your family has to move and you found out that it is near one of the areas shown in the FEMA photo-journey, which is prone to natural disasters. Since you have learned all about physical geography, you are in charge of planning for such an event.

Directions: Print out the worksheet or on a separate sheet of paper, indicate where you are moving to and which natural disaster impacts the location. Make a list of ten (10) items necessary to prepare you and your family in the event of that natural disaster.