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Natural Disasters - Version 16 vs Version 17
May 5, 2026, 01:37 AM
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May 18, 2026, 10:02 PM
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11Overview22Natural disasters are extreme weather events that can disrupt daily life in inZOI. Unlike regular weather changes (sunny, cloudy, rainy, snowy), disasters are sudden, severe events that can damage property, harm Zois, ruin crops, cancel scheduled activities, and even cause death. The game features three main types of natural disasters: heavy rain (with flooding and lightning), heatwaves, and yellow dust storms. Some disasters are more frequent in certain cities, while others can occur anywhere.44Natural disasters are part of the game's weather simulation system, introduced alongside the Island Getaway update in August 2025 (v0.3.0). Players can mitigate financial losses through the insurance system, which provides compensation when disaster strikes. The controlDisaster cheat command also allows players to trigger any disaster on demand for testing or gameplay purposes. Each triggered disaster lasts for two in-game hours before clearing on its own.66Disaster Types88Heavy Rain1010Heavy rain is the most dramatic and dangerous natural disaster in inZOI. When a heavy rain event triggers, several effects occur simultaneously. The severity of this disaster sets it apart from ordinary rain, which is a normal weather pattern that occurs in every city across all seasons. Heavy rain floods entire streets, disables vehicle travel, and introduces a real risk of fatal lightning strikes.1212EffectDescriptionFloodingthe ground floods for an extended period, turning streets and low-lying areas into impassable water. Zois cannot use vehicles during heavy rain, forcing them to travel on foot or stay indoors. Flooding also affects any outdoor crops that have been planted, potentially drowning them.Lightning strikesthere is a small but real chance that a Zoi caught outdoors during heavy rain will be struck by lightning. A lightning strike is instantly fatal; it is one of the 17 confirmed causes of death in the game. Unlike heatstroke or hypothermia, there is no warning period before a lightning strike. The only protection is to stay indoors during heavy rain events.Activity cancellationoutdoor scheduled events and activities are automatically canceled during heavy rain. This includes dates, social gatherings, and outdoor work tasks.IllnessZois who remain outdoors in the rain risk catching a cold, especially if they are not carrying an umbrella or wearing clothing not suited to the conditions. As of v0.6.0, the time required to catch a cold in rain without an umbrella was increased from 1 hour to 6 in-game hours, making colds less punishing than in earlier versions. A cold requires a First Aid Kit to treat.1515Heavy rain is described as a natural disaster unique to Cahaya, the tropical island city introduced in the Island Getaway update. In Cahaya, heavy rain is a locale-specific natural disaster, meaning it occurs more frequently and with greater intensity than standard rain events in Dowon or Bliss Bay. Other cities experience rain events, but the severe heavy rain disaster with flooding and frequent lightning is particularly associated with Cahaya. Players can use the controlDisaster HeavyRain cheat command to trigger heavy rain in any city, including Dowon and Bliss Bay, where it does not occur naturally.1616Heatwaves1818Heatwaves are periods of extreme high temperature that push the city's climate beyond normal seasonal ranges. They can occur in any city and are most common during the summer season. During a heatwave:2020EffectDescriptionOverheating and heatstroke riskwhen temperatures reach around 30 degrees C (86 degrees F) or higher during a heatwave, Zois spending time outdoors are at risk of overheating. If a Zoi remains in excessive heat for approximately 30 minutes while wearing inappropriate clothing (such as a Winter outfit), they receive a "Scorching Heat" warning. If the player does not move them indoors or change their outfit, the Zoi becomes Afraid due to the intense heat. Shortly after this fear state, the Zoi dies from heatstroke. This is one of the confirmed death types in inZOI.Indoor heatstrokein some cases, Zois can also overheat inside their homes during a heatwave if the indoor temperature rises high enough. Players have reported this occurring particularly in homes without climate control. Keeping Zois in properly equipped indoor spaces reduces the risk.Clothing sensitivityZois wearing heavy or layered clothing during a heatwave become uncomfortable and overheat faster. The game's clothing system automatically adjusts outfits based on temperature (Zois wear their Summer outfit when it gets hot), but during a heatwave the temperature spikes beyond what normal summer clothing can comfortably handle.Crop damageheatwaves can damage crops being grown by Zois who practice gardening. Extended heatwaves may destroy a harvest entirely, wiping out the time and resources invested in growing the crop.Children protectionchildren who are overheating do not die from heatstroke. Instead, they are sent to the Child Protection Agency, which removes them from the household. This also applies to children affected by other environmental dangers such as hypothermia.2222Yellow Dust2323Yellow dust storms are airborne particulate events that reduce visibility and harm outdoor activities. They are modeled after real-world yellow dust (also called Asian dust or hwangsa) that affects East Asian countries during spring. In inZOI, yellow dust events primarily appear during the spring season, though they can occasionally occur at other times.2525EffectDescriptionCrop damageyellow dust is particularly harmful to growing crops, potentially destroying an entire garden's progress. Crops left exposed during a yellow dust event may be completely lost.Health effectsZois exposed to yellow dust outdoors for extended periods may develop respiratory discomfort or illness. Like colds from rain, this requires treatment with a First Aid Kit.Outdoor activity disruptionlike heavy rain, yellow dust can cancel scheduled outdoor events and make outdoor recreation unpleasant.Reduced visibilityyellow dust creates a visible haze over the city, reducing the player's view distance and giving the environment a dusty, amber-tinted appearance.2727Yellow dust events are less common than heavy rain or heatwaves but can be equally disruptive when they occur.2828Disaster Effects Summary3030The following table summarizes the key effects and risks of each natural disaster type.3232DisasterFloodingDeath RiskCrop DamageVehicle UseDurationPrimary CityHeavy RainYes, streets floodLightning strike (instant death)Yes, flooding drowns cropsDisabled during event2 in-game hoursCahaya (locale-specific)HeatwaveNoHeatstroke (30 min exposure)Yes, heat withers cropsNormal2 in-game hoursAny city (peaks in summer)Yellow DustNoRespiratory illness (non-fatal)Yes, severe crop lossNormal2 in-game hoursAny city (peaks in spring)3434Death Mechanics3535Natural disasters and extreme weather contribute to several of the 17 confirmed death types in inZOI. Each weather-related death has specific conditions and warning stages that give players a chance to intervene, with the notable exception of lightning, which is instant.3737Lightning Strike3939Lightning strikes occur exclusively during heavy rain events. When a Zoi is outdoors during heavy rain, there is a small random chance of being struck. A lightning strike is immediately fatal with no warning, making it the most unpredictable weather death. The only reliable way to avoid it is to move Zois indoors as soon as heavy rain begins. Players using the controlDisaster cheat to trigger heavy rain in Dowon or Bliss Bay will also see lightning strike risks, since the mechanic is tied to the heavy rain disaster itself rather than the city.4141Heatstroke4343Heatstroke occurs when a Zoi is exposed to temperatures of approximately 30 degrees C (86 degrees F) or higher, typically during a heatwave. The progression works as follows:4545The Zoi starts overheating after spending time outdoors in extreme heat (or indoors in an uncontrolled environment).After approximately 30 minutes, the game displays a "Scorching Heat" warning. Zois wearing heavy clothing (Winter outfits) overheat faster.If the Zoi remains in heat, they enter the "Afraid" emotional state due to the life-threatening temperature.Shortly after the Afraid state triggers, the Zoi dies from heatstroke if not moved to a cooler location or given a clothing change.4747Children who reach the heatstroke threshold are not killed. Instead, the Child Protection Agency intervenes and removes the child from the household. The v0.4.0 update reduced the overall death probability from heatstroke and other temperature-related causes, addressing community feedback about deaths feeling too frequent.4949Hypothermia5151Although extreme cold is not classified as a natural disaster, it shares the same mechanics as disaster-related deaths. Hypothermia occurs around 0 degrees C (32 degrees F) when a Zoi is outdoors wearing light clothing (Summer or Swimwear outfits) without a proper Winter outfit equipped. Like heatstroke, the warning triggers after approximately 30 minutes of exposure. Children affected by hypothermia are sent to Child Protection rather than dying.5353Drowning5656While drowning is primarily associated with ocean or pool swimming, it can become relevant during flooding events if a Zoi enters floodwater. When swimming, a Zoi's energy depletes over time. Once energy hits zero, the game displays a warning. The warning repeats three times over a three-hour in-game window. If the Zoi is not directed to exit the water after the final warning, they drown.5858Effects on Gameplay6060Natural disasters affect virtually every aspect of daily life in inZOI. Their impact extends across transportation, social activities, agriculture, health, and finances.6262EffectDescriptionTransportationflooding from heavy rain prevents vehicle use. Zois must walk or stay indoors until the water recedes. Other disaster types do not affect driving.Scheduled eventsoutdoor gatherings, dates, and work tasks may be canceled. Indoor events generally proceed as normal.Crops and gardeningheatwaves, yellow dust, and flooding can all destroy crops, wiping out time and resources invested in gardening. Harvesting mature crops early when a disaster is imminent can save a season's work.Zoi healthrain causes colds (treatable with a First Aid Kit), heatwaves cause overheating and potentially fatal heatstroke, yellow dust affects respiratory health, and cold weather causes hypothermia. All non-fatal conditions require a First Aid Kit for treatment.Deathlightning strikes during heavy rain and prolonged heatstroke are both fatal. These are among the 17 confirmed causes of death in inZOI. Hypothermia from cold weather is also fatal if ignored, though cold snaps are not classified as a disaster event.Mood and emotionsZois caught in dangerous weather conditions may develop the "Afraid" emotional state, which negatively affects their overall mood and can disrupt ongoing tasks or social interactions.Business operationsbusinesses that rely on foot traffic may see reduced customers during disasters. Employees may fail to show up for work if the disaster prevents travel.6464Seasonal Patterns6565inZOI's four seasons each last 7 in-game days (approximately 5 hours and 36 minutes in real time at the default 48-minute day length). Seasons influence which disasters are more likely, and understanding the seasonal calendar helps players prepare for incoming threats.6767SeasonCommon DisastersTemperature RangeKey RisksSpringYellow dust storms, moderate rainCool to mildCrop loss from dust, rain illnessSummerHeatwaves, heavy rain (Cahaya)Hot to extreme heatHeatstroke death, crop damage, lightningFallOccasional rain, least disastersMild to coolMinimal weather risksWinterExtreme cold (not a disaster)Near or below freezingHypothermia death from cold exposure6969Winter extreme cold is worth noting even though it is not classified as a natural disaster. Zois wearing inadequate clothing can fall ill or even die from hypothermia if exposed to temperatures around 0 degrees C (32 degrees F) for approximately 30 minutes without proper clothing. Seasons affect the entire city's temperature over a long period. Weather can be temporarily adjusted through the Edit City menu's weather tab, but manual changes revert to the default seasonal weather and temperature after one in-game hour.7070Weather and Clothing7272Zois automatically adjust their clothing to reflect the current city temperature, wearing thicker clothes on colder days and lighter layers on warmer days. If a Zoi wears clothing not suited to the current temperature (such as underdressing in winter or overdressing in summer) they may fall ill and will need a First Aid Kit to recover. During extreme weather events like heatwaves, even the automatic clothing adjustment may not be sufficient, requiring players to monitor their Zois' condition.7474Umbrellas7676Umbrellas provide protection from rain and reduce the risk of catching a cold during rainy weather. There are two ways to obtain an umbrella:7878FeatureDetailsUmbrella standavailable in Build Mode. Place an umbrella stand in the home or workplace, and Zois can pick up an umbrella from it before heading outside. Search for "Umbrella Stand" in the Build Mode catalog.Convenience storeumbrellas can be purchased at convenience stores found across the city. Look for the purple part-time job icon on the map to locate a convenience store.8080Umbrellas come in different colors and styles. Note that Zois cannot store umbrellas in their inventory; they must pick one up from a stand each time they go out. If a Zoi sets down the umbrella during their trip, they will get wet on the way home.8181First Aid Kits8383First Aid Kits are the primary treatment for weather-related illnesses. They cost 100 Meow in Build Mode and provide unlimited uses once placed. To use one, click on the First Aid Kit as the sick Zoi and select "Take Cold Medicine." All premade houses and apartments come with at least one First Aid Kit. Players should place additional kits in homes located in disaster-prone areas, particularly in Cahaya where heavy rain is frequent.8585Insurance8787The insurance system is the primary financial safety net against natural disasters. Players can purchase policies through the Insurance app on their Zoi's phone or computer. Each policy applies to the entire household, not individual Zois.8989Insurance Types9191Insurance TypePremium CostPayoutCoverageNatural DisasterOngoing premium200 Meow per event (as of v0.6.0)Compensates for heavy rain, heatwave, and yellow dust damageDeath Insurance100 Meow every 3 days10,000 MeowPays household if any Zoi dies, including lightning and heatstroke deathsProperty InsuranceOngoing premiumVaries by damageCovers damage to home and belongings from any cause, including weather9393The Natural Disaster insurance payout was originally 1,500 Meow but was rebalanced to 200 Meow in the v0.6.0 update. Purchasing all three types of coverage provides comprehensive protection against the financial consequences of natural disasters. Death insurance is particularly valuable in Cahaya, where the elevated lightning risk makes fatal encounters more likely.9494Fire and Related Hazards9797While fires are not classified as natural disasters, they share some overlap with the disaster preparation and insurance systems. Fires start from cooking accidents, malfunctioning electronics, or deliberate actions, and they can spread rapidly across furniture and appliances.9999HazardDescriptionFire extinguishers and alarmscan be purchased in Build Mode and placed throughout the home. Fire alarms alert Zois to danger, while extinguishers allow them to fight small fires directly.Fire departmentif a fire grows too large to handle, Zois can evacuate and use the "Report Fire" option on their phone. The fire department arrives shortly unless they are busy with another emergency.Fire Prevention Rateaccessible through Manage City settings (Manage Zois > Manage City), this slider controls the probability of fires from household appliances. Setting it to the highest level significantly reduces fire incidents. The slider offers nine adjustment levels from Lowest to Highest.Property insurancecovers fire damage as well as disaster damage, making it a broadly useful policy for any household.101101City Management Settings102102Several city management sliders in the Manage City menu affect how disasters and weather interact with gameplay. Changes made through these sliders are applied gradually over time, not instantly.104104SettingEffect on DisastersFire Prevention RateControls probability of fires from appliances. Higher settings reduce fire incidents city-wide.Health LevelAffects Zoi lifespan and disease likelihood. Lower health levels make Zois more susceptible to weather-related illness.City SafetyAffects probability of violent acts. Does not directly affect natural disasters but influences overall city danger level.City SanitationImpacts cleanliness rates. Lower sanitation may compound illness risks during disaster events.Appliance DurabilityAffects breakage probability. Broken appliances during disasters increase fire risk if the Fire Prevention Rate is low.106106Each setting offers nine adjustment levels: Highest, Very High, High, Slightly High, Medium, Slightly Low, Low, Very Low, and Lowest.107107Cheats and Developer Tools109109The cheat console provides several commands for controlling weather and disasters. To open the cheat console, go to Psycat's Advice, enable cheats, then press Ctrl + Shift + C.111111CommandEffectNotescontrolDisaster [ID]Instantly triggers a natural disasterConfirmed ID: HeavyRain. Disaster lasts 2 in-game hours.controlWeather [ID] [X]Sets weather to the specified type at intensity level XIDs: Sun, Cloud, Rain, Snow. Intensity: 1 to 4. Reverts after 1 hour.changeSeason [ID]Switches the current seasonUse to test seasonal disaster patterns.setSeasonLength [days]Changes how many in-game days each season lastsDefault: 7 days. Shorter seasons mean faster disaster cycling.immortalZoi trueMakes Zois immune to all deaths, including weather deathsUseful for building during disasters without risk.apocalypseTheWorldSets city status and Karma to the lowest valuesDestructive: some families disappear permanently. Cannot be undone.113113The controlDisaster HeavyRain command is particularly useful for testing because it allows players to trigger heavy rain (and its associated flooding and lightning) in cities where it does not naturally occur, such as Dowon and Bliss Bay. The exact IDs for heatwave and yellow dust have not been publicly documented in the official cheat guide as of March 2026, but the command supports all three disaster types.114114City-Specific Notes116116CityClimateKey Disaster NotesCahayaTropical islandHighest frequency of heavy rain events. Lightning risk is elevated. Heavy rain is classified as a locale-specific disaster unique to Cahaya. Natural Disaster insurance is especially valuable here.DowonTemperateStandard seasonal weather patterns. All disaster types can occur but heavy rain disasters are less severe than in Cahaya.Bliss BayCoastalModerate weather with common but generally less intense rain events. Notable for shark-infested and jellyfish-infested swimming areas, which are marine hazards separate from weather disasters.118118Preparing for Disasters119119While natural disasters cannot be prevented, players can take steps to minimize their impact. Preparation is especially important for households in Cahaya, where heavy rain strikes frequently.121121Buy insurance early. Natural Disaster and Death insurance should be purchased as soon as the household can afford them. The cost is small compared to potential losses, and Death insurance provides a 10,000 Meow payout that can sustain the family through recovery.Keep First Aid Kits stocked. Colds from rain, respiratory issues from yellow dust, and overheating from heatwaves all require treatment with First Aid Kits. Place them in every home; they cost only 100 Meow each and provide unlimited uses.Place umbrella stands near exits. Having an umbrella stand by the front door lets Zois grab rain protection before leaving. This dramatically extends the time before they catch a cold (from 1 hour without an umbrella to 6 hours with one, as of v0.6.0).Set up seasonal clothing presets. While Zois auto-adjust clothing for normal weather, extreme events may require player monitoring. Assign appropriate outfits for each season so Zois are never caught in a Winter outfit during summer.Avoid driving in heavy rain. Vehicles become unusable during flooding. Plan trips around weather conditions and keep Zois indoors when heavy rain is active.Move Zois indoors immediately. When extreme weather hits, move all Zois indoors to avoid lightning strikes, heatstroke, or hypothermia. This is the single most effective survival strategy.Harvest crops early. If bad weather is imminent, harvest any mature crops from the garden to prevent loss from flooding, heatwaves, or yellow dust.Build indoor recreation spaces. Use Build Mode to ensure the household has indoor entertainment options so Zois stay occupied during extended bad weather without needing to go outside.Install fire extinguishers and alarms. Although fires are separate from natural disasters, power surges and appliance malfunctions can happen during any weather event. Fire safety equipment and a high Fire Prevention Rate in City Management reduce the risk.Adjust the Fire Prevention Rate. In the Manage City settings, raise the Fire Prevention Rate slider to reduce the chance of fires from household appliances. This is a free, permanent adjustment that protects every household in the city.123123Patch History and Balance Changes125125KRAFTON has adjusted natural disaster mechanics several times since the system was introduced in v0.3.0 (August 2025). The following changes were made in response to community feedback.127127VersionDateChangev0.3.0August 20, 2025Natural disasters introduced (heavy rain, heatwaves, yellow dust). Insurance system added. controlDisaster cheat added.v0.4.0October 2025Reduced death probability from natural disasters and temperature changes. Increased initial move-in funds. Day length changed from 96 minutes to 48 minutes.v0.6.0February 2026Compensation for property damage from heatwaves and heavy rain rebalanced to 200 Meow (previously 1,500 Meow). Time to catch a cold in rain without umbrella increased from 1 hour to 6 hours.129129Further tuning of disaster frequency and Zoi reactions to weather is expected in future updates. Players on the official forums have requested improvements to autonomous Zoi behavior during storms, such as automatically seeking shelter when heavy rain begins.130130Community Feedback132132Since the introduction of the weather system, players have reported several concerns on the official inZOI forums and Steam discussions:134134FeedbackDetailsDisaster frequencymany players, particularly those living in Cahaya, have reported that natural disasters occur too frequently. Torrential rain events sometimes trigger at least once per season, leaving little time for uninterrupted outdoor activities.Stuck disastersa known bug (reported in v0.4.1) causes natural disasters to trigger and never end, sometimes lasting multiple in-game weeks. Reloading a save from before the disaster began is the most reliable workaround.Employee no-showsduring active disasters, NPC employees may fail to arrive at businesses, leaving player-owned shops and restaurants understaffed.Autonomous shelter-seekingplayers have requested that Zois automatically move indoors when dangerous weather begins, rather than standing outside in lightning storms or heatwaves until the player manually intervenes.136136KRAFTON has acknowledged this feedback and made adjustments in the v0.4.0 and v0.6.0 patches. Additional changes are expected as the game continues through Early Access development.
