Tropical storms and other flood events such as rivers overflowing their banks are often termed disasters because of injuries, fatalities and the destruction of homes and businesses. Part of the disaster is the loss of family culture or heirlooms. "I am so saddened by the stories of people who have lost so much from floods and storms," said National Park Service Director Mary A. Bomar. "They often look into the camera and tell us ‘they're only photos and we're alive' but those emotions can't hide the truth - loss of personal heirlooms is devastating."
