The hidden death toll of hurricanes - A shocking new analysis suggests deaths are exponentially higher than reported

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Path of destruction -

It is no great secret that hurricanes are destructive. With their raging winds and excessive rainfall, when a hurricane arrives, people unfortunately die.

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Hurricane Helene -

In the case of Hurricane Helene, for example, more than 200 deaths have been directly attributed to the storm across the southeastern states.

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Death by flooding -

Among them was a retired sheriff’s deputy who didn’t manage to escape when his truck got stuck in a raging river.

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Death by falling trees -

Then there was the pair of firefighters who were crushed on their way to rescue someone. Their fire engine was struck by a falling tree.

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Immediate fatalities -

Whenever a hurricane hits, these sorts of fatalities are reported, and generally, they are immediately attributed to the storm.

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New research -

However, new research suggests that the actual death toll of hurricanes is much higher than the officially reported number, due to what researchers are calling "indirect deaths."

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Nature study -

Published recently in the journal Nature, the analysis looks at more than 500 tropical cyclones that have hit the United States since 1930.

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Findings -

It finds that the average cyclone causes up to 11,000 excess deaths – a figure that is hundreds of times higher than official estimates.

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Elevated death rates -

Combining weather data and death rate data from before and after storms, the analysis reveals that death rates in affected states remain elevated for up to 15 years after a storm.

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Shocking figures -

This analysis has garnered widespread attention because the findings are so shocking. Indeed, researchers were so shocked themselves that they took years to publish.

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Indirect deaths -

The study is the first of its kind because it considers indirect deaths. Unlike fatalities caused by things like flooding, these deaths occur for years after a storm hits.

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Exacerbated medical conditions -

Generally, they are associated with medical conditions, such as heart disease or cancer, that are made worse by the stress of living through the aftermath of a hurricane.

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Reduced access to healthcare -

In other cases, they may be related to mental health issues that are exacerbated by the experience of the storm, or diseases like diabetes that require a level of care to which patients no longer have access.

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Difficult problem to see -

According to one researcher, many of these problems are not easily traced back to the storm, and we have to rely heavily on recording by doctors and nurses to make the connection.

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Vulnerable groups -

However, research shows an undeniable link, and it is clear that indirect hurricane deaths tend to affect those who are already vulnerable in society most heavily.

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Over 65s -

Firstly, according to the authors of the study, nearly half of the excess deaths after a hurricane are made up of people over 65.

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Stress -

Many of these deaths are the result of cardiovascular disease and cancer, which are known to be exacerbated by stress.

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Chronic disease -

Older people are also more likely to suffer from chronic diseases that become more difficult to manage in the wake of a hurricane.

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Chronic disease -

Someone with diabetes, for example, may have reduced access to insulin, or even struggle to maintain a healthy diet if they have to pay for home repairs.

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Fewer people to care for them -

Finally, in the wake of a hurricane, working-age people often leave their communities to find work. This can leave elderly people without family members to care for them.

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Infants -

Another demographic disproportionately affected by indirect hurricane deaths is infants. According to the study, infants under 1 account for 14% of excess deaths after a hurricane.

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Infants in the population -

This is despite the fact that children under the age of 1 only account for 1% of the total population in the United States.

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Conclusions -

These findings serve as strong evidence that hurricanes change communities in ways that make them more dangerous for children.

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How infants are affected -

For example, mothers out of work may struggle to provide food or healthcare for their children. A damaged hospital may deprioritize its obstetrics unit when rebuilding in the wake of the storm.

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Interpreting the results -

According to study author Solomon Hsiang, all this may explain why more babies die in the southeastern states than in other parts of the country.

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Marginalized communities -

Finally, it is also clear that members of marginalized communities, such as racial minorities, face a high increase in hurricane-related risk.

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Statistics -

The study shows that for any given storm, a Black victim is three times more likely to die than a white victim who is affected by the same disaster.

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Disparities -

This serves as evidence of the economic and health disparities that affect Black Americans even before a natural disaster strikes.

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Lack of insurance -

Indeed, while providing assistance in the wake of disasters, study author Andrew Schroeder observed that Black households are less likely to have insurance.

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Lower federal support -

There are also studies that show they have less access to help from the government when a disaster such as a hurricane strikes. 

Sources: (Washington Post) (NPR)

See also: Major cities under threat from natural disasters

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