Opponents say the government's policy is 'a disaster waiting to happen'. [=something that will probably have a very bad or tragic result]
The government's policy is 'a recipe for disaster'. = The government is 'flirting with disaster' by pursuing this policy.
The earthquake was one of the worst 'natural disasters' [=a disaster caused by natural forces] of this century.
(..) How the hell did a pigeon get in here? You shut the loading doors, right? I thought you did. Do you know what a disaster this is?! You mean 'cause this room isn't supposed to have dust in it, and we just let in a flying crap machine?! What do we do? (..)2014 TvShow: The Big Bang Theory Title: The Clean Room Infiltration Season: 8 Episode 11