Legal Definitions - major disaster

A major disaster refers to a catastrophic event, typically a natural hazard, that occurs within the United States and is officially declared as such by the President. This declaration is made when the President determines that the event's severity is so extensive that it overwhelms the capabilities of state and local governments, thereby warranting significant supplementary aid and resources from the federal government to help affected communities recover and rebuild.

Here are some examples illustrating what constitutes a major disaster:

• Example 1: Widespread Flooding from a River Overflow

  After several weeks of unusually heavy rainfall, a major river system in the Midwest overflows its banks, inundating dozens of towns and agricultural areas across three states. Thousands of homes are submerged, critical infrastructure like roads and bridges are destroyed, and essential services are disrupted. The governors of the affected states request federal assistance, and the President subsequently declares a major disaster. This declaration allows federal agencies like FEMA to provide emergency housing, financial aid for repairs, and resources for debris removal, supplementing the overwhelmed state and local emergency services.

• Example 2: Devastating Earthquake in a Populated Region

  A powerful 7.0 magnitude earthquake strikes a densely populated coastal region, causing widespread structural damage to buildings, collapsing freeways, and triggering numerous gas line ruptures and fires. Hospitals are overwhelmed with casualties, and search and rescue operations are urgently needed across multiple cities. Recognizing that the scale of destruction and the immediate need for specialized equipment and personnel far exceed the capacity of local and state emergency responders, the President declares a major disaster. This enables the immediate deployment of federal urban search and rescue teams, medical supplies, and engineering experts to stabilize damaged structures and support recovery efforts.

• Example 3: Extensive Wildfires Across Multiple Counties

  During a prolonged drought and heatwave, a series of rapidly spreading wildfires ignite across vast forested areas and suburban communities in a western state. Thousands of residents are forced to evacuate, and hundreds of homes are destroyed. State firefighting resources are stretched thin, and the fires continue to grow, threatening critical watersheds and power grids. The President declares a major disaster, which then mobilizes federal firefighting assets, including specialized aircraft and crews, and provides financial assistance for displaced families and long-term recovery programs for the affected counties, complementing the state's exhausted resources.