The following chapters report an exploratory study of reactions to two disasters, a tornado and floods, which struck Dallas, Texas, in the spring of 1957. Although the findings and discussion are presented in the context of a somewhat shortened version of the time sequence described above, the major emphasis is on the differential impact of the two types of disaster agents and on the reactions of victims to disaster situations.Two disasters had occurred in the Dallas area, both having a major effect upon Negro areas of residence in that city. Furthermore, a rapid, impressionistic survey of the two areas made by Doctor Harry E. Moore of the Department of Sociology of the University of Texas and Doctor H. J. Friedsam of the Department of Sociology of North Texas State University, suggested that the two areas were also homogeneous in income level and. possibly in other ways. 5 Hence, the situation presented an opportunity to study and compare the residents' reactions to two different disaster agents. More specifically, it was felt that an exploratory study to determine whether or not there was Qadifference in the responses of tho victims to the tornado and floods could be undertaken.