The 19th century witnessed several significant disasters that impacted communities worldwide. Notable events include the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, which destroyed thousands of buildings and left many homeless, and the Johnstown Flood of 1889, where a dam failure led to a catastrophic flood in Pennsylvania, resulting in over 2,200 deaths. Natural disasters also played a role, such as the Lisbon earthquake of 1755, which, although occurring in the 18th century, influenced 19th-century disaster preparedness. Additionally, the Irish Potato Famine (1845-1852) caused widespread starvation and emigration, highlighting the social and economic impacts of such calamities.