An area that has been the site of a natural disaster that receives an official designation entitling residents and organizations within that area to receive relief and benefits
Much of the central Gulf Coast was declared a disaster area after hurricane Katrina.
If you describe a place, person, or situation as a disaster area, you mean that they are in a state of great disorder or failure. He's a nice old rascal but a disaster area as a politician. An area that officially qualifies for emergency governmental aid as a result of a catastrophe, such as an earthquake or flood
A disaster area is a part of a country or the world which has been very seriously affected by a disaster such as an earthquake or a flood. The region has been declared a disaster area