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.
(..) "seem... filled... "with the... intent... "to be... lost... "that their... loss... "is no... "disaster. "Lose... some- "something every day. "Ac-Accept the fluster... "of lost door keys. "I lost... two cities... "two... rivers... "a... contin- "continen- continent. "I... miss them... "but it wasn't a... disaster. "Even... losing you... "the joking voice... "a... gesture... "I love... "I... shan't have lied. (..)2005 In Her Shoes