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.
(..) out of there, The forklift's been moved. That big-mouthed trainer and the Indian must've done it. This is a disaster. Why? Because we Don't have Theft insurance on the whale. That's why. (..)1993 Free Willy