Columbia Definition ordinance (§ 7-1)

A "disaster" is an occurrence such as a tornado, storm, flood, high water, wind-driven water, earthquake, drought, blizzard, pestilence, famine, fire, explosion, building collapse, vehicle wreck, act of terrorism, enemy attack, sabotage or any other natural or man-made situation that causes human suffering or creates human needs that the victims cannot alleviate without assistance, and that requires an extraordinary commitment of governmental resources. This definition should not be applied rigidly to exclude situations not enumerated.