During what scenario is a disaster considered to exceed the capacity of community adjustment?

A disaster is considered to exceed the capacity of community adjustment when the normal conditions of existence are severely disrupted. In this scenario, the ongoing daily life of the community is significantly impacted, making it challenging to maintain basic functions, safety, and stability.

Severe disruption typically manifests as extensive damage to infrastructure, loss of essential services, or widespread displacement of residents. This type of catastrophe creates a situation in which individuals and organizations within the community are unable to cope with the aftermath using their standard processes and resources.

In this context, while complex individual needs not being met, delayed recovery efforts, and insufficient government resources are important factors, they are typically symptoms or contributing factors to the overarching issue of severe disruption. The core issue is that when the regular functioning of a community collapses, it indicates a level of disaster that surpasses what can be managed through usual community adjustment mechanisms.