Revision 8

Overview

Natural 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.

Natural 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.

Disaster Types

Heavy Rain

Heavy 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.

• Flooding the 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 strikes there 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 cancellation outdoor scheduled events and activities are automatically canceled during heavy rain. This includes dates, social gatherings, and outdoor work tasks.

• Illness Zois 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.

Heavy 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.

Heatwaves

Heatwaves 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:

• Overheating and heatstroke risk when 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 heatstroke in 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 sensitivity Zois 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 damage heatwaves 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 protection children 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.

Yellow Dust

Yellow 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.

• Crop damage yellow 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 effects Zois 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 disruption like heavy rain, yellow dust can cancel scheduled outdoor events and make outdoor recreation unpleasant.

• Reduced visibility yellow dust creates a visible haze over the city, reducing the player's view distance and giving the environment a dusty, amber-tinted appearance.

Yellow dust events are less common than heavy rain or heatwaves but can be equally disruptive when they occur.

Disaster Effects Summary

The following table summarizes the key effects and risks of each natural disaster type.

Death Mechanics

Natural 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.

Lightning Strike

Lightning 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.

Heatstroke

Heatstroke 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:

1. The Zoi starts overheating after spending time outdoors in extreme heat (or indoors in an uncontrolled environment).

2. After approximately 30 minutes, the game displays a "Scorching Heat" warning. Zois wearing heavy clothing (Winter outfits) overheat faster.

3. If the Zoi remains in heat, they enter the "Afraid" emotional state due to the life-threatening temperature.

4. Shortly after the Afraid state triggers, the Zoi dies from heatstroke if not moved to a cooler location or given a clothing change.

Children 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.

Hypothermia

Although 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.

Drowning

While 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.

Effects on Gameplay

Natural disasters affect virtually every aspect of daily life in inZOI. Their impact extends across transportation, social activities, agriculture, health, and finances.

• Transportation flooding from heavy rain prevents vehicle use. Zois must walk or stay indoors until the water recedes. Other disaster types do not affect driving.

• Scheduled events outdoor gatherings, dates, and work tasks may be canceled. Indoor events generally proceed as normal.

• Crops and gardening heatwaves, 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 health rain 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.

• Death lightning 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 emotions Zois 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 operations businesses that rely on foot traffic may see reduced customers during disasters. Employees may fail to show up for work if the disaster prevents travel.

Seasonal Patterns

inZOI'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.

Winter 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.

Weather and Clothing

Zois 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.

Umbrellas

Umbrellas provide protection from rain and reduce the risk of catching a cold during rainy weather. There are two ways to obtain an umbrella:

• Umbrella stand available 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 store umbrellas 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.

Umbrellas 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.

First Aid Kits

First 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.

Insurance

The 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.

Insurance Types

The 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.

Fire and Related Hazards

While 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.

• Fire extinguishers and alarms can 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 department if 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 Rate accessible 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 insurance covers fire damage as well as disaster damage, making it a broadly useful policy for any household.

City Management Settings

Several 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.

Each setting offers nine adjustment levels: Highest, Very High, High, Slightly High, Medium, Slightly Low, Low, Very Low, and Lowest.

Cheats and Developer Tools

The 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.

The 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.

City-Specific Notes

Preparing for Disasters

While 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.

1. Buy 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.

2. 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.

3. 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).

4. 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.

5. Avoid driving in heavy rain. Vehicles become unusable during flooding. Plan trips around weather conditions and keep Zois indoors when heavy rain is active.

6. 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.

7. Harvest crops early. If bad weather is imminent, harvest any mature crops from the garden to prevent loss from flooding, heatwaves, or yellow dust.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

Patch History and Balance Changes

KRAFTON 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.

Further 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.

Community Feedback

Since the introduction of the weather system, players have reported several concerns on the official inZOI forums and Steam discussions:

• Disaster frequency many 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 disasters a 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-shows during active disasters, NPC employees may fail to arrive at businesses, leaving player-owned shops and restaurants understaffed.

• Autonomous shelter-seeking players 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.

KRAFTON 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.