Incident vs. Disaster — What's the Difference?

A particular occurrence, especially one of minor importance.

A disaster is a serious problem occurring over a short or long period of time that causes widespread human, material, economic or environmental loss which exceeds the ability of the affected community or society to cope using its own resources. Developing countries suffer the greatest costs when a disaster hits – more than 95% of all deaths caused by hazards occur in developing countries, and losses due to natural hazards are 20 times greater (as a percentage of GDP) in developing countries than in industrialized countries.

An event in a narrative or drama.

An occurrence causing widespread destruction and distress; a catastrophe.

A usually violent or disruptive occurrence, especially one that precipitates a larger crisis

A grave misfortune.

An occurrence that interrupts normal procedure or functioning; a mishap

(Informal) A total failure

(Law) Something contingent on or related to something else.

(Obsolete) An evil influence of a star or planet.

Tending to arise or occur as a result or accompaniment

An unexpected natural or man-made catastrophe of substantial extent causing significant physical damage or destruction, loss of life or sometimes permanent change to the natural environment.

(Law) Related to or dependent on another thing.

An unforeseen event causing great loss, upset or unpleasantness of whatever kind.

(Physics) Falling upon or striking a surface

An unpropitious or baleful aspect of a planet or star; malevolent influence of a heavenly body; hence, an ill portent.

An event or occurrence.

An adverse or unfortunate event, esp. a sudden and extraordinary misfortune; a calamity; a serious mishap.

A (relatively minor) event that is incidental to, or related to others.

To blast by the influence of a baleful star.

An event that causes or may cause an interruption or a crisis, such as a workplace illness or a software error.

To bring harm upon; to injure.

Arising as the result of an event, inherent.

A state of extreme (usually irremediable) ruin and misfortune;

Falling on or striking a surface.

An event resulting in great loss and misfortune;

Coming or happening accidentally; not in the usual course of things; not in connection with the main design; not according to expectation; casual; fortuitous.

An act that has disastrous consequences

Liable to happen; apt to occur; befalling; hence, naturally happening or appertaining.

(legal) Dependent upon, or appertaining to, another thing, called the principal.

Falling or striking upon, as a ray of light upon a reflecting surface.

Coming or happening accidentally; not in the usual course of things; not in connection with the main design; not according to expectation; casual; fortuitous.

Liable to happen; apt to occur; befalling; hence, naturally happening or appertaining.

Dependent upon, or appertaining to, another thing, called the principal.

That which falls out or takes place; an event; casualty; occurrence.

That which happens aside from the main design; an accidental or subordinate action or event.

Something appertaining to, passing with, or depending on, another, called the principal.

A single distinct event

A public disturbance;

Falling or striking on something

(sometimes followed by `to') minor or casual or subordinate in significance or nature or occurring as a chance concomitant or consequence;