A natural hazard is a hazard posed by the earth’s natural process. Natural hazards can include earthquakes, hurricanes, tsunamis, tornadoes, floods, volcanic eruptions, storms, landslide, rising sea levels, wild fires, subsidence, etc.

A manmade hazard is a hazard posed intentionally or unintentionally by humans or by materials created by humans. Manmade hazards can include fires, transportation collisions, explosions, etc.

Risk means the probability of an estimated impact a hazard event would have on people, services, facilities, and structures in a community.

Viewed broadly, the goal of all hazard mitigation efforts is risk reduction in both types of hazards. The emphasis on sustained actions to reduce long-term risk differentiates the Mitigation mission area from Prevention and Response mission areas, which are required to survive a disaster safely. Mitigation is an essential component of emergency management. Effective mitigation actions can decrease the impact, the requirements, and the expense of a natural hazard event.