Disasters, both natural and man-made, do happen. They generally occur suddenly and escalate rapidly, quickly overwhelming the community and its resources. In Nova Scotia, many disasters are weather-related and thus cannot be prevented. They often occur with very little warning.

Man-made disasters are emergencies that occur mainly due to human error. They are, as a rule, unpredictable. A recent example of such a disaster is the Halifax Explosion, which occurred on December 6, 1917, and resulted in approximately 1900 deaths, 9000 injured and the complete destruction of North End Halifax.

People often help each other in times of crisis. It is advisable to assess skills and abilities you possess that could be used to assist a neighbour in distress. Various organizations that provide training in CPR and basic First Aid can help in your assessment and skill development. You may be called upon to help others in emergencies and knowing what to do may save a life.

This web site deals mainly with natural disasters. We explore actions you can take to lessen damage and injury during forest fires, floods, hurricanes, lightning storms, and winter storms.

You will find information about what to do in the event you are required to evacuate from your home. In certain emergency situations, authorities may ask you to leave your home and go to a nearby evacuation centre such as a community hall or school gym.

Hazardous material spills and forest fires are just some of the events that have caused Nova Scotians to be evacuated from their homes. Knowing what to do if you are evacuated can make the experience less disruptive.

The consequences of disasters may include power failure, reduction in the abilities of various agencies to deliver emergency services efficiently, communication break-down and limited access to necessities such as food and water. Being prepared lessens feelings of anxiety, fear and distress following a disaster.