disaster area

noun

1. a region or locality in which the population is generally affected by the occurrence of a major disaster, as a widespread flood, an explosion causing extensive damage, or the like.
2. such a region or locality officially determined to be eligible, under statutory provisions, for emergency governmental relief.

Word History and Origins

Origin of disaster area¹

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

On May 2, the day President Bush declared Los Angeles a disaster area, Mayor Bradley announced the formation of Rebuild LA, entrusting the fifty-four-year-old businessman Peter Ueberroth, a resident of Orange County, with directing the program.

From Time

We request everybody outside of the disaster area to refrain from hoarding gasoline, light diesel, and heavy fuel oil.

From The Daily Beast

The actual command post had not been established, but let me better explain a command post by a disaster area, like a fire.

From Project Gutenberg