disaster area

American  

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.

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Etymology

Origin of disaster area

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

disaster area

Wang, in a Chinese foreign ministry statement, said Beijing had "shared crucial information with Nepal, including disaster area imagery, satellite and hydrological data, as well as early warnings about upstream barrier lakes".

From Barron's ● Aug. 29, 2026

Colombia’s Red Cross organization is working on the ground in the disaster area to help reestablish living conditions for those affected by the quake.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 11, 2026

But if AI can turn a 16,000-email disaster area into simple bulleted lists, I might finally make peace with my thousands of unreads.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 18, 2026

"Ultimately, that information informs people outside of the immediate disaster area and prompts them to change their views about the risks of climate change."

From Science Daily ● May 22, 2024

I’ve been on the receiving end of broadcasts like this from other places—but this is the first time in as long as I can remember that I’m standing in the epicenter of the disaster area.

From "Dry" by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman