Weather-related and natural disasters appear to becoming more frequent with more severe outcomes throughout the United States and the world. 90% of all presidential declared disasters are weather-related resulting in an average of 500 deaths per year and $14 billion in damage.

Weather predictions have become much more accurate but even with all the technology available, the extent of storm-related damage involves many variables, one of which relates to the awareness and actions of the people being affected by the storm. Some natural disasters, (earthquakes, tsunamis) may be beyond our control with respect to predictions and adequate public warning systems and often result in high fatalities.