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.
(..) But you stood to gain from Gluant's death, didn't you? Gain? What would I gain? Gluant's share of the restaurants. Oh, the restaurants were a disaster. Gluant was siphoning money out faster than it came in. My only consolation was he'd lose the money gambling in my casino. (..)2006 The Pink Panther