Disasters are sudden, catastrophic events that cause significant disruption to a community or environment, leading to loss of life, property damage, and economic hardship. They can be natural, such as earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, and wildfires, or man-made, including industrial accidents, terrorist attacks, and chemical spills. Disasters typically overwhelm the local capacity to cope, necessitating external assistance and emergency response efforts. The impact of a disaster can vary widely depending on factors such as the severity of the event, the preparedness of the affected area, and the resilience of the community and infrastructure. Disasters often result in long-term consequences, requiring recovery and rehabilitation efforts.
A fierce storm in Victoria caused widespread power outages for over 13,500 customers. Key towns affected included Benalla, Wodonga, Wangaratta, and Myrtleford. Lightning was identified as the main cause of…