Hostname: page-component-76fb5796d-22dnz Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-28T13:15:04.331Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Injury Deaths Related to Hurricane Sandy, New York City, 2012

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 April 2016

Kacie Seil ,
Ariel Spira-Cohen  and
Jennifer Marcum
Kacie Seil
Affiliation:
New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, New York.
Ariel Spira-Cohen*
Affiliation:
New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, New York.
Jennifer Marcum
Affiliation:
New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, New York.
*
Correspondence and reprint requests to Ariel Spira-Cohen, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, 125 Worth St, Rm 620, New York, NY 10013 (e-mail: aspiracohen@health.nyc.gov).
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Objective

This project aimed to describe demographic patterns and circumstances surrounding injury deaths in New York City (NYC) related to Hurricane Sandy.

Methods

Injury deaths related to Hurricane Sandy were classified by using data from multiple sources: NYC’s Office of Vital Statistics death records, Office of Chief Medical Examiner case investigation files, and American Red Cross disaster mortality data. Injury deaths were classified as being related to Hurricane Sandy if they were caused directly by the storm’s environmental forces or if they were indirectly caused by an interruption of services, displacement, or other lifestyle disruption.

Results

We identified 52 injury deaths in NYC related to Hurricane Sandy. Most decedents were male (75%); nearly half were aged 65 years and older (48%). Most (77%) deaths were caused by injuries directly related to Hurricane Sandy. Ninety percent of direct deaths were caused by drowning; most (73%) occurred within 3 days of landfall. Half (50%) of the 12 indirect deaths that occurred up to 30 days after the storm were caused by a fall. Nearly two-thirds (63%) were injured at home. Three-quarters (75%) of fatal injuries occurred in evacuation Zone A.

Conclusions

Risk communication should focus on older adults, males, and those living in evacuation zones; more evacuation assistance is necessary. NYC’s fatal injury profile can inform future coastal storm planning efforts. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2016;10:378–385)

Keywords

Hurricane SandymortalityNew York Cityinjury
Type
Original Research
Information
Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness , Volume 10 , Special Issue 3: Superstorm Sandy , June 2016 , pp. 378 - 385
Copyright
Copyright © Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Inc. 2016 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1. Blake, ES, Kimberlain, TB, Berg, RJ, et al. Tropical cyclone report Hurricane Sandy 22-29 October 2012. http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/data/tcr/AL182012_Sandy.pdf. Published February 12, 2013. Accessed March 10, 2016.Google Scholar
2. Stronger, A, More Resilient New York. NYC Special Initiative for Rebuilding and Resiliency website. http://www.nyc.gov/html/sirr/html/report/report.shtml. Published June 11, 2013. Accessed March 10, 2016.Google Scholar
3. Gibbs, LI, Holloway, CF. Hurricane Sandy After Action: Report and Recommendations to Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. http://www.nyc.gov/html/recovery/downloads/pdf/sandy_aar_5.2.13.pdf. Published May 2013. Accessed March 10, 2016.Google Scholar
4. Brown, S, Parton, H. Evacuation in New York City during Hurricanes Irene and Sandy. NYC DOHMH Epi Data Brief. 2014;51:1-2.Google Scholar
5. 2010 Census Interactive Population Search. US Census website. http://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=36:01:36005:36047:36061:36081:36085. Accessed January 28, 2016.Google Scholar
6. Census blocks for Zone A. NYC Department of City Planning website. http://www.nyc.gov/html/dcp/html/census/demo_tables_2010.shtml. Accessed January 28, 2016.Google Scholar
7. Brewer, RD, Morris, PD, Cole, TB. Hurricane-related emergency department visits in an inland area: an analysis of the public health impact of Hurricane Hugo in North Carolina. Ann Emerg Med. 1994;23(4):731-736. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0196-0644(94)70307-8.Google Scholar
8. Ragan, P, Schulte, J, Nelson, SJ, et al. Mortality surveillance: 2004 to 2005 Florida hurricane-related deaths. Am J Forensic Med Pathol. 2008;29(2):148-153. http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/PAF.0b013e318175dd5e.Google Scholar
9. Faul, M, Weller, NF, Jones, JA. Injuries after Hurricane Katrina among Gulf Coast evacuees sheltered in Houston, Texas. Journal Emerg Nurs. 2011;37(5):460-468.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
10. Preliminary medical examiner reports of mortality associated with Hurricane Charley--Florida, 2004. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2004;53(36):835-837.Google Scholar
11. Morbidity and mortality associated with Hurricane Floyd--North Carolina, September-October 1999. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2000;49(17):369-372.Google Scholar
12. Chen, BC, Shawn, LK, Connors, NJ, et al. Carbon monoxide exposures in New York City following Hurricane Sandy in 2012. Clin Toxicol (Phila). 2013;51(9):879-885. http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/15563650.2013.839030.Google Scholar
13. Kim, HK, Takematsu, M, Biary, R, et al. Epidemic gasoline exposures following Hurricane Sandy. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2013;28(6):586-591. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S1049023X13009023.Google Scholar
14. Brackbill, RM, Caramanica, K, Maliniak, M, et al. Nonfatal injuries 1 week after Hurricane Sandy--New York City metropolitan area, October 2012. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2014;63(42):950-954.Google Scholar
15. Combs, DL, Parrish, RG, McNabb, SJ, et al. Deaths related to Hurricane Andrew in Florida and Louisiana, 1992. Int J Epidemiol. 1996;25(3):537-544. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/ije/25.3.537.Google Scholar
16. Mortality associated with Hurricane Katrina--Florida and Alabama, August-October 2005. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2006;55(9):239-242.Google Scholar
17. Jani, AA, Fierro, M, Kiser, S, et al. Hurricane Isabel-related mortality--Virginia, 2003. Journal of public health management and practice. J Public Health Manag Pract. 2006;12(1):97-102. http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/00124784-200601000-00016.Google Scholar
18. Zane, DF, Bayleyegn, TM, Hellsten, J, et al. Tracking deaths related to Hurricane Ike, Texas, 2008. Disaster Med Public Health Prep. 2011;5(1):23-28. http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/dmp.2011.8.Google Scholar
19. Zimmerman, R, Li, W, Gambatese, M, et al. Summary of Vital Statistics, 2012: Executive Summary. New York: New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene; 2014.Google Scholar
20. Combs, DL, Quenemoen, LE, Parrish, RG, et al. Assessing disaster-attributed mortality: development and application of a definition and classification matrix. Int J Epidemiol. 1999;28(6):1124-1129. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/ije/28.6.1124.Google Scholar
21. Medical examiner/coroner reports of deaths associated with Hurricane Hugo--South Carolina. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 1989;38(44):754, 759-762.Google Scholar
22. McKinney, N, Houser, C, Meyer-Arendt, K. Direct and indirect mortality in Florida during the 2004 hurricane season. Int J Biometeorol. 2011;55(4):533-546. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00484-010-0370-9.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
23. Deaths associated with Hurricanes Marilyn and Opal--United States, September-October 1995. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 1996;45(2):32-38.Google Scholar
24. Preliminary report: medical examiner reports of deaths associated with Hurricane Andrew--Florida, August 1992. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 1992;41(35):641-644.Google Scholar
25. ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting 2012. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2012.Google Scholar
26. Howland, RE, Madsen, AM, Nicaj, L, Noe, RS, Casey-Lockyer, M, Begier, E. Assessing electronic death registration and American Red Cross systems for mortality surveillance during Hurricane Sandy, October 29–November 10, 2012, New York City. Disaster Med Public Health Prep. 2014;8(06):489-491. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/dmp.2014.133.Google Scholar
27. Lane, K, Charles-Guzman, K, Wheeler, K, et al. Health effects of coastal storms and flooding in urban areas: A review and vulnerability assessment. J Environ Public Health. 2013;2013:913064. 10.1155/2013/913064.Google Scholar
28. Brunkard, J, Namulanda, G, Ratard, R. Hurricane Katrina deaths, Louisiana, 2005. Disaster Med Public Health Prep. 2008;2(4):215-223. http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/DMP.0b013e31818aaf55.Google Scholar
29. McNabb, SJ, Kelso, KY, Wilson, SA, et al. Hurricane Andrew-related injuries and illnesses, Louisiana, 1992. South Med J. 1995;88(6):615-618. http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/00007611-199506000-00003.Google Scholar
30. Injuries and illnesses related to Hurricane Andrew--Louisiana, 1992. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 1993;42(13):242-244, 249-251.Google Scholar
31. Philen, RM, Combs, DL, Miller, L, Sanderson, LM, Parrish, RG, Ing, R. Hurricane Hugo-related deaths: south Carolina and Puerto Rico, 1989. Disasters. 1992;16(1):53-59. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-7717.1992.tb00375.x.Google Scholar
32. US Census Bureau; generated by Ariel Spira-Cohen. Table DP04 “Selected Housing Characteristics”; 2010-2012 American Community Survey 3-Year Estimates. http://factfinder2.census.gov. Accessed January 29, /2016.Google Scholar
33. Fife, CE, Smith, LA, Maus, EA, et al. Dying to play video games: carbon monoxide poisoning from electrical generators used after hurricane Ike. Pediatrics. 2009;123(6):e1035-e1038. http://dx.doi.org/10.1542/peds.2008-3273.Google Scholar
34. Dash, N, Gladwin, H. Evacuation decision making and behavioral responses: individual and household. Nat Hazards Rev. 2007;8(3):69-77. http://dx.doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)1527-6988(2007)8:3(69).Google Scholar
35. Horney, JA, MacDonald, PDM, Van Willigen, M, et al. Individual actual or perceived property flood risk: Did it predict evacuation from Hurricane Isabel in North Carolina, 2003? Risk Anal. 2010;30(3):501-511.Google Scholar
36. Rincon, E, Linares, MYR, Greenberg, B. Effect of previous experience of a hurricane on preparedness for future hurricanes. Am J Emerg Med. 2001;19(4):276-279. http://dx.doi.org/10.1053/ajem.2001.22668.Google Scholar
37. Murray, KO, Kilborn, C, DesVignes-Kendrick, M, et al. Emerging disease syndromic surveillance for Hurricane Katrina evacuees seeking shelter in Houston’s Astrodome and Reliant Park Complex. Public Health Rep. 2009;124(3):364-371.Google Scholar
38. Uscher-Pines, L, Vernick, JS, Curriero, F, Lieberman, R, Burke, TA. Disaster-related injuries in the period of recovery: the effect of prolonged displacement on risk of injury in older adults. J Trauma. 2009;67(4):834-840. http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/TA.0b013e31817f2853.Google Scholar
39. Adams, V, Kaufman, SR, Van Hattum, T, et al. Aging disaster: mortality, vulnerability, and long-term recovery among Katrina survivors. Med Anthropol. 2011;30(3):247-270. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01459740.2011.560777.Google Scholar
40. Malilay, J, Heumann, M, Perrotta, D, et al. The role of applied epidemiology methods in the disaster management cycle. A J Public Health. 2014;104(11):2092-2102. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2014.302010.Google Scholar
41. Choudhary, E, Zane, DF, Beasley, C, et al. Evaluation of active mortality surveillance system data for monitoring hurricane-related deaths-Texas, 2008. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2012;27(4):392-397. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S1049023X12000957.Google Scholar