Natural Disaster

Armero's tragedy 

The Armero tragedy was one of the worst tragedies in Colombia. It resulted from the Nevado del Ruiz volcano eruption in the city of Armero, Colombia.

The eruption took place on November 13, 1985. The volcano became active after sixty-nine years and took the inhabitants by surprise, even though the government had received warnings from the volcanic agencies since September.

            chronology of the success                                      

• 04:00 p.m. Ash begins to fall on the site. 
• 09:29 p.m. Nevado del Ruiz volcano explodes. With this explosion, 2% of the ice crown is detached. 
• 09:30 p.m. The beginning of the eruption was reported, and evacuation was recommended. 
• 09:33 p.m. The avalanche begins with a large wave of water from the ice that detached from the summit of the volcano. This detachment causes the growth of rivers, causing damage to 210 thousand hectares. 
• 11:30 p.m. 350 million cubic meters of mud and stones fall and devastate Armer

 

                                                                                  

The volcano expelled gases from trapped ash and hot air that dislodged a part of the ice. This produced an avalanche full of water, huge stones, trees, and mud that descended on the city at about 30 mph.

With the Armero tragedy, about 23,000 people died or disappeared, which was 94% of the population. Smoke and ashes rose up to 10 miles, leaving, in addition, more than 4,400 injured people who were treated in hospitals.

Rescue was difficult because the mud made it almost impossible to advance without stagnation. Rescuers arrived at Armero 12 hours after the eruption, and many injured people had died. The town was completely buried in mud. 

Several attempts were made to evacuate, but a severe storm restricted communications. Many victims remained in their homes as instructed, believing that the eruption was over. It is possible that the noise of the storm prevented many from hearing the sounds of the eruption until it was too late.

 A total of 5,092 homes were destroyed, of which 4,718 were destroyed. 230,000 people were affected, and material losses were estimated at between $10,000 and $15,000.

information taken from : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armero_tragedy

How to prepare and survive a natural disaster 

The best way to prepare for a natural disaster is to first get informed of the news about the disaster so you can make a plan. You should also have a disaster kit including food, water, a first aid kit, flashlights, batteries, etc.; prepare your home and stay there; or research the places that will be shelters if there is a possible evacuation, and make sure you find the closest one.

You should prepare your home and look for safe places inside it where you can stay, or you should also investigate the places that will be shelters if there is a possible evacuation and make sure to find the closest one, lastly, keep yourself informed of the news to know how to act in the wake of the disaster.

The government offers different types of assistance to people and cities affected by a natural disaster and has entities for that purpose. 

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) take steps to help people and communities to be more prepared by developing the capabilities needed to prevent, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate against all threats and hazards provides financial assistance for people living in declared disaster areas. 

Also, people living in areas that were declared a disaster can apply for assistance to pay for household utilities such as water and electricity. Also, businesses and households that were affected can more easily access a bank loan to help them recover. 

Information taken from: https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/national-preparedness

what would yo do if you knew a natural disaster was coming your way ?

I would be informed to know how I should act in case of a natural disaster because if it is or is not necessary to evacuate I should do what the government recommends, if I have to stay at home I prepare myself with food and everything I need to be safe.