During a storm, heavy winds blow a tree over in Norman's back yard, causing it to fall on his house and damage his roof. The wind blowing over the tree would be considered:

A physical hazard typically refers to a condition or object that poses a risk of injury or damage, such as the tree itself before it falls. While the tree was indeed a physical hazard in Norman's yard, the question specifically addresses the wind event that led to the damage, not the inherent risk posed by the tree.

An indirect loss involves damage that occurs as a consequence of a primary event, such as business interruption due to property damage. In this scenario, the damage to the roof is a direct result of the occurrence (the wind), making it a direct loss rather than an indirect one.

Exposure refers to a condition in which a person or property is subject to potential harm or loss. While Norman's house was exposed to the risks posed by the wind, the term does not encapsulate the specific event that caused the damage. Thus, exposure is not the best description of the wind as an event.