Although few events rise to the level of a Presidential disaster declaration, when such an event occurs, the response and recovery efforts from the local level to the federal level are complex and challenging. The President can declare a major disaster for any natural or man-made event – such as a hurricane, tornado, storm, high water, wind-driven water, tidal wave, tsunami, earthquake, volcanic eruption, landslide, mudslide, snowstorm, or drought, or, regardless of cause, fire, flood, or explosion – that he or she determines has caused damage of such severity that it is beyond the combined capabilities of state and local governments to respond. A major disaster declaration triggers a wide range of federal assistance programs for individuals and public infrastructure.