A natural disaster is defined as any severe form of weather or naturally occurring event that poses a significant threat to human safety, interrupts necessary daily activities, and threatens infrastructure or property. 

Because natural disasters often happen suddenly and without warning, their effects can be catastrophic. From seemingly endless wildfires in California to the devastating effects of cyclones and hurricanes, such as Cyclone Fani touching down in Puri, India, it’s easy to see how natural disasters severely impact us all. 

However, there is hope. Scientists around the world are discovering ways to alert civilians before natural disasters, minimize loss of life and damage to property, and aid in post-disaster recovery. EPICS in IEEE is helping students lead the way in creating plans to help communities affected by natural disasters. 

From a flood monitoring system designed to alert residents to be aware of dangerous situations to building sustainable, portable temporary housing for victims of natural disasters and homelessness, EPICS is engineering the future of natural disaster relief and warnings.