noun

great destruction or damage.

the floods caused widespread devastation

destruction,ruin,desolation,depredation,waste,havoc,wreckage,ruins,ravages,laying waste,wrecking,ruination,despoliation,ransacking,ravaging,demolition,razing,levelling,flattening,annihilation,rape,shock,trauma,upheaval,distress,stress,strain,pain,anguish,suffering,upset,agony,misery,sorrow,grief,heartache,heartbreak,torture,traumatization