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.
(..) I gotta go. Okay. Bye. Bye./ Bye. Alright, let's go. At least the trip wasn't a total disaster. What makes you say that? When I woke up on the roof, I happened to find... $ worth of Bellagio chips in my pocket. (..)2009 The Hangover