When does an emergency become a disaster?

An emergency becomes a disaster when the situation is so severe that it is beyond the ability of local authorities to respond and manage the situation. This can involve a number of factors including a large geographic area affected by the emergency, an emergency that lasts for an extended period of time, or a greater number of people affected by the emergency. Additionally, an emergency can become a disaster when it has the potential to cause extensive damage to property, infrastructure, and the environment. For example, a severe earthquake could cause extensive structural damage, disrupting local transportation, communication, and power supplies. This could lead to a humanitarian crisis as people may be unable to access food, clean water, and medical supplies. Other disasters such as floods, hurricanes, and wildfires can cause extensive damage to property, disrupt essential services, and displace people from their homes. In all of these cases, an emergency can quickly become a disaster if it is not managed and contained swiftly.