What Killed People During Hurricane Irma?
FL, GA, NC: 4 Sep 2017 through 10 Oct 2017
This interesting analysis from the CDC of the actual causes of death related to Hurricane Irma in 2017 debunks some common assertions (e.g. the false warning that most deaths are from flooding)
https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/67/wr/mm6730a5.htm?s_cid=mm6730a5_e
129 people died as a result of the storm or its immediate aftermath, but less than 6% of those deaths were from flooding, and another 3% from tree-related injuries.
A staggering 115 people (89+%) died from indirect hurricane causes. Percentages shown below are of the total deaths. The top 3 are in bold face.
So, cardiac stress, heat stress, carbon monoxide, prepping and repairing, motor vehicle crashes together account for 65% of the deaths, plus another 10% for old people being knocked over.
The mere acts of preparing for the storm, providing emergency power, and repairing storm damage led to a quarter of all hurricane related deaths.
Bob
FL, GA, NC: 4 Sep 2017 through 10 Oct 2017
This interesting analysis from the CDC of the actual causes of death related to Hurricane Irma in 2017 debunks some common assertions (e.g. the false warning that most deaths are from flooding)
https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/67/wr/mm6730a5.htm?s_cid=mm6730a5_e
129 people died as a result of the storm or its immediate aftermath, but less than 6% of those deaths were from flooding, and another 3% from tree-related injuries.
A staggering 115 people (89+%) died from indirect hurricane causes. Percentages shown below are of the total deaths. The top 3 are in bold face.
Stress-related cardiac disease | 23 | 17.8% |
Heat-related | 17 | 13.2% |
Oxygen-dependent | 3 | 2.3% |
Disruption of emergency medical services | 3 | 2.3% |
Floodwater infection | 2 | 1.6% |
Carbon monoxide poisoning | 16 | 12.4% |
Preparation/Repair injury | 15 | 11.6% |
Motor vehicle crash | 13 | 10.1% |
Falls from standing height (elderly) | 13 | 10.1% |
Other | 12 | 9.3% |
So, cardiac stress, heat stress, carbon monoxide, prepping and repairing, motor vehicle crashes together account for 65% of the deaths, plus another 10% for old people being knocked over.
The mere acts of preparing for the storm, providing emergency power, and repairing storm damage led to a quarter of all hurricane related deaths.
Bob