Deadly Disasters

On May 18, 1980, Mount St. Helens erupted in Washington. The blast caused millions of dollars of damage and affected the lives of thousands. In this hi/lo text, reluctant readers will learn about eruption, from the events leading up to it to everything that followed. Special features highlight the areas affected by the blast, the timeline of events, and the ways in which the area has healed in the years since.

On December 26, 2004, an enormous earthquake ripped through the Indian Ocean. This triggered a series of massive tsunami waves, some as high as 100-feet tall. In this hi/lo text, readers will learn about the events that caused the tsunami as well as the effects it had on the areas it struck. Features illustrate how a tsunami starts as well as how much destruction the tsunami caused.

On January 12, 2010, a 7.0-magnitude earthquake rocked the country of Haiti. The damage trapped thousands of people under rubble and toppled more than 100,000 buildings. In this hi/lo text, reluctant readers will learn about the earthquake and its aftermath. Special features show a map of the areas affected, the shockwave of the earthquake, and a timeline of the events.

The coronavirus pandemic brought the world to a standstill. Billions of lives were impacted as the deadly virus spread around the globe. In this title, reluctant readers will learn about the spread of the virus, the effects that it had, and the taken efforts to slow its spread. Special features show the timeline of events, a map of areas affected, and a list of items useful in protecting oneself from the coronavirus.

Tornadoes move at speeds of up to 300 miles per hour. They can be deadly. On May 22, 2011, one such tornado touched down near the town of Joplin, Missouri. Readers will learn the details of the event and its aftermath in this hi/lo title. Special features such as a map and a scale, help readers to understand exactly how devastating the Joplin tornado was.

In 2005, Hurricane Katrina swept through the Gulf of Mexico, leaving destruction in its wake. Winds of 125-miles per hour and storm surges as high as 19-feet-tall, pounded coastlines, displacing millions of people from their homes. In this hi/lo title, reluctant readers will learn about the events of this disaster and its aftermath. Special features including a chart and a map show the extent of devastation caused by the hurricane.