
Calamity
Severity Scale
Use 'calamity' for events more destructive than 'accidents' but less than 'apocalypses'.
The forest fire was a calamity for the affected wildlife.
Human Suffering
'Calamity' often implies that people were harmed or are in distress.
The famine represented a great calamity for the region.
Not Personal
Typically not used for personal troubles unless they're extremely severe, affecting many.
Losing her job was a calamity for her entire family.