The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, have the following meanings:

Disaster emergency—Those conditions which:

1. (i) Seriously affect the safety, health or welfare of a substantial number of citizens of this Commonwealth or preclude the operation or use of essential public facilities.
2. (ii) Be of such magnitude or severity as to render essential State supplementation of county and local efforts or resources exerted or utilized in alleviating the danger, damage, suffering or hardship faced.

3. (iii) Have been caused by forces beyond the control of man by reason of civil disorder, riot, or disturbance, or by factors not foreseen and not known to exist when appropriation bills were enacted.

   Natural disaster—Any hurricane, tornado, storm, flood, high-water, wind-driven water, tidal wave, earthquake, landslide, mudslide, snowstorm, drought, fire, explosion or other catastrophe which results in damage to property, hardship, suffering or possible loss of life.

   Political subdivisions—Any county, city, borough, township, town or home rule community in this Commonwealth.