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If you’ve experienced a hurricane, tornado, flood, earthquake or other natural disaster, you know firsthand about the accompanying loss of life and property. But natural disasters also take their toll on the environment in ways both apparent and insidious. Widely strewn garbage and wreckage often change the look and feel of a place; sometimes even the most familiar areas are rendered unrecognizable. With hurricanes and tornadoes, there is also defoliation. And in the case of flood, tsunami, volcanic eruption and earthquake, the ground itself can be redistributed—modifying the actual topography.

In almost all extreme natural-disaster situations, possessions and the materials from which homes are made are flung far and wide. Suddenly the way a person has lived  becomes very public in a strange way. Many possessions will never be found and any non-biodegradable items may lie unnoticed for years, profoundly affecting the ecology of an area.

An Ounce of Prevention
There are two ways to handle the problem of dispersed garbage and/or wreckage. The obvious and most desirable is to prevent homes from initially coming apart. Stringent building codes benefit the environment in this way. Also, homeowners should prepare their homes for disasters appropriately. In the case of Hurricane Andrew, many homes that had shutters were lost because homeowners were too lazy to use them.

The second method of handling the problem of dispersed garbage and wreckage is to live as green as possible. If a person’s home is made from eco-conscious materials and most of their possessions are biodegradable, they lessen the impact of having that stuff spread across a large area. As an example, it’s not uncommon to have a shed in the yard. As most sheds are far less robust than a home, it’s more likely a shed will be destroyed. Therefore, it’s a good idea to stock the shed with eco-conscious cleaning materials, paint strippers and the like rather than the alternatives in case they end up scattered across your neighborhood.

Defoliation
Defoliation may appear troubling, but it is a part of the natural process and generally a benefit to the environment. However, using non-indigenous species in landscaping can make defoliation a hazard. With seeds, spores. et al. being spread over miles, the circumstances are perfect for invasive plant species to spread uncontrollably. Consider xeriscaping and other environmentally conscious landscaping techniques as responsible alternatives.

Pets
Disasters often leave pets at risk. Have a plan in place well ahead of time for their care, safety and security, as in keeping them confined. The Everglades are already full of pythons and some neighborhoods are being overrun by iguanas. Many of them started as pets that escaped during hurricanes.

Prepare Now
The best ecological preparations for a natural disaster aren’t very different than the normal preparations one should make. Don’t wait for a disaster to be imminent to begin preparations. Have a plan in place and do your best to stick to it. Stockpile sufficient quantities of food and other materials or tools necessary to survive for at least two weeks without electricity, running water and natural gas—or the ability to leave your home. Keep up with your home’s maintenance. If it becomes apparent that a disaster is going to strike, be sure to keep your vehicle full of gas so that you can flee the area.

Taking the proper precautions for a natural disaster reduces the chance of damage to your home, which reduces possible environmental degradation resulting from your home’s destruction. The unprepared may improvise effective solutions to problems, but they may not be good for the environment or their own safety. A little preplanning can make a world of difference in both your survival and the health of your environment.

Additional resources:
How to Be Prepared for Natural Disasters

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