Trees are Dangerous during a storm

[Doc Seminole]

I believe that the 2 folks killed so far were killed by falling trees. One was in a car and the other was walking down the street.

There were alot of deaths from Isabelle do to falling trees.

I wonder if trees are second to storm surge as the leading killer of a hurricane.

You folks in South Florida and later the panhandle need to stay away from trees if you have to go outside for any reason.

Stay safe!

Doc

[Acral]

I would expect deaths from trees to fall behind collapsing structures and so on, and far behind storm surge.

[Doc Seminole]

I doubt falling structures are up that high on the list. Seriously, as a chaser myself, I would like to know what what causes the most deaths after storm surge.

Doc

[Florida_brit]

Just did a google search here an interesting read:

Editorial Note: In Florida, most deaths directly attributed to Hurricane Andrew resulted from blunt trauma or asphyxia. In the past, hurricane-associated mortality has included high numbers of drownings (1). However, because of the minimal storm surge in the heavily populated areas, a building code that requires structures to withstand winds of 130 mph, and advanced warning systems and well-coordinated evacuation plans, drowning, as well as deaths from other causes, attributed to the hurricane remained relatively low. Nonetheless, some persons refused to evacuate their homes, and the deaths directly associated with Hurricane Andrew in Florida occurred among such persons. Public health and emergency management agencies need to continue to emphasize the importance of timely evacuation during natural disasters.

Most of the deaths associated with Hurricane Hugo, which struck Puerto Rico and South Carolina in September 1989, occurred in the postimpact phase and included deaths from electrocutions due to contact with energized power lines and the use of portable electric generators; house fires caused by candles used for lighting; and traumatic injuries sustained during clean-up (2,3). Two deaths associated with fires have already occurred in the postimpact phase of Hurricane Andrew. The public and relief workers should be aware of these and other potential dangers during the postimpact, clean-up phase of the hurricane and take appropriate precautions.

Because there is no universally accepted definition of a hurricane-associated death, the cases listed in this report were determined to be hurricane-associated by each district ME office. As a result, each ME office may apply different criteria to determine whether a death resulted from the hurricane. In addition, other organizations that collect information on disaster-associated deaths might apply different criteria. These potential differences reinforce the need to develop a standard definition for disaster-associated deaths.

Since 1989, MEs and coroners have reported important information about deaths associated with several natural disasters, including Hurricane Hugo (1989) (2,3), the Loma Prieta earthquake (1989) (4), the Plainfield tornado in Illinois (1990) (5), and flash floods in Texas (1991). In addition to mortality surveillance, the State of Florida, with the assistance of CDC, is conducting a rapid damage assessment survey to determine the extent of injuries and loss of utilities and health services that resulted from Hurricane Andrew.

http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00017499.htm

Here is my google search too if you want to browse:

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=why+most+deaths+occurred+hurricane&hl=en&lr=&start=10&sa=N

[Florida_brit]

I would have said these are the main causes of death:

I think deaths depending on CAT size obviously a CAT 5 has a potential to demoish everything in its path and create a number of other sinarios such as heightened storm surge.

If out and about during storm ie for storm chasers etc
killed by debris
Electrocution by power lines which have blown over
trees

If near beach/waterways then risk of drowning, storm surge created.

Risk of being attacked by animals ie snakes/gaters (chasers should always take antivenom and appropriate defense in case of being attacked)

danger due to wind
car being over turned if driving around
debris as above

Freak weather conditions associated with hurricanes
tornados

Also post hurricane problems such as drinking contaminated water,

Also

No deaths are known to have occurred before the storm (preimpact phase), 13 occurred during the storm (impact phase), and 22 occurred after the storm (post impact phase). Of the 13 traumatic deaths that occurred during the impact phase, six persons drowned (five when they attempted to bring boats inland from Charleston on the Cooper River and one when her mobile home was struck by the storm surge). Four persons were crushed by their mobile homes. One person was killed when his house collapsed during the storm, and two others were crushed by trees during the storm (one when a tree fell on his house and one when a tree fell on his car).

Of the 22 postimpact-phase deaths, 16 were traumatic. Nine resulted from smoke inhalation or burns from five house fires; these fires were attributed to the use of candles during power outages. In one instance, fire officials concluded the fire was the direct consequence of adults leaving candles burning after going to bed at night. Of the five fires, two separate house fires were each responsible for the deaths of a mother and two young children. Five of the nine fire-related deaths were among children aged 1-7 years.

[NC George]

I would expect deaths from trees to fall behind collapsing structures and so on, and far behind storm surge.

Due to increased warnings and better forecasting, storm surge not only isn't far and away the leading cause of deaths, but it isn't the leading cause of death in US hurricanes anymore. From what I recall the three largest killers are driving into flooded streets that are no longer passable (too deep, bridge washed out, etc.,) electrocution, and falling objects (trees and the like.)

[alicia-w]

the latest we heard so far is four dead from falling trees. who would be out in that????