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Recent natural hazards—Hurricane Katrina, Mt. St. Helens, the Northridge earthquake, and western wildfires—are examples of catastrophic events that threaten the Nation’s safety, security, economic well-being, and natural resources. Equally threatening are the effects of slower, more chronic hazards related to climate change, such as drought or ecosystem collapse. Increased monitoring and communication is needed to improve real-time forecasting and is needed to work to prevent natural hazards from becoming natural disasters.