Here's the breakdown:
* κατά (kata): meaning "down," "against," or "according to"
* στροφή (strophe): meaning "turning," "twisting," or "a turning point"
So, the original meaning of "katastrophe" implied a sudden and dramatic event that led to a complete change or downfall.
While the word "catastrophic" entered English through Latin, it was ultimately derived from the Greek word "katastrophe," not a direct Latin root.