disaster area

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

disas′ter ar′ea, 

1. Government 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. Government such a region or locality officially determined to be eligible, under statutory provisions, for emergency governmental relief.
• 1955–60