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How Hurricanes Kill People

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deluxestogie

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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.

Stress-related cardiac disease2317.8%
Heat-related1713.2%
Oxygen-dependent 32.3%
Disruption of emergency medical services32.3%
Floodwater infection21.6%
Carbon monoxide poisoning1612.4%
Preparation/Repair injury1511.6%
Motor vehicle crash1310.1%
Falls from standing height (elderly)1310.1%
Other129.3%

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
 

CobGuy

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Wow ... that's some really interesting stat's!
Seems like the advice, "stay calm and stay put" may have some real bearing in these instances.
 

deluxestogie

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Well, those numbers don't tell everything. For example, people died preparing for the storm, but we don't know how many lives were saved by preparation. People died from motor vehicle crashes, but we don't know how many lives were saved by evacuating high risk areas.

But the report does loudly tell us that how we handle ourselves both before and after a hurricane may be as important to survival as during the actual storm. It also carries the same lesson as snow storms: clearing your walkway or driveway can kill you.

Bob
 

CobGuy

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It also carries the same lesson as snow storms: clearing your walkway or driveway can kill you.

Which is why you should hire disposable, punk kids to do it for you! LOL :)
Growing up in central Illinois taught me a lot about shoveling snow and how NOT to do it.
Smaller scoops and a calm pace will save the ole ticker some stress.
As for prepping, the time for that is now and not after being told the event is coming ... avoid the rush of madness.

-Darin
 
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