Do the horrible, devastating natural disasters of our times have resemblances to the plagues of the Old Testament scriptures?

Recall the recent fury of the winds, the giant hurricanes, Superstorm Sandy, the destructive magnitude of tornadoes, the churning anger of the high seas, the flood waters, the hellish wildfires of consumption, and finally, the tears, sufferings, heartaches and deaths.

As described above, nature went frantically mad and wild. Yes, permitted by God, with similarities to the nasty plagues of the Old Testament. Did the plagues have a purpose? What about nature’s disasters of our time?