Direct fatality vs. indirect fatality

[HurricaneBill]

I watched Isabel's death toll rise up to 40 and then suddenly get reduced to 17 by the media. There were 17 direct fatalities.

Charley's toll is currently at 22, but how many are direct?

Besides, what is considered a direct fatality and what is considered an indirect fatality?

[caneflyer]

A direct fatality is one caused by the forces of the storm - wind (or wind-driven debris), storm surge, rough seas, rip currents, lightning, etc. Indirect deaths would be those occurring from heart attacks, house fires, accidents on wet roads, electrocution from downed lines, etc.

[crazycajuncane]

Yeah, Indirect would be most likely after the storm..... Direct would be because of the storm.... during the storm.... flooding, winds, lightning, tornadoes..... and after the storm being mostly downed powerlines, poor health after the storm, snakes.... etc...

[flyingphish]

I rode up to Punta Gorda today to help a family friend. Wow..Chaos! I saw two accidents at major intersections. There were either no cops,no signals,or both. Motorists are supposed to "stop and go"but who is kidding who? Unfortunately, I foresee more storm related fatalities in the hard hit areas. I do not know how these will be factored in, if at all. Real mess up there.

[GalvestonDuck]

Shouldn't they all count?

After all, wasn't it 168 who died as a direct result of the Oklahoma City bombing and one who died as an indirect result of the crime? A rescue worker was fatally wounded when a falling piece of debris hit her head.

[HurricaneBill]

From the descriptions of the deaths from Charley, I'd say at least 8 are direct.

Add in the Caribbean toll and that comes to 13.

However there were no details on some of the deaths.

So the overall death toll from Hurricane Charley is 25.

Florida: 20 (direct and indirect)
Cuba: 4
Jamaica: 1

[PurdueWx80]

This morning's news show several indirect deaths caused days after Charley's arrival. An 86 year old man who evacuated fell and died in a motel (don't get how this counts, but whatever). Also 3 were killed in a car accident that was caused by a power outage to traffic lights. I'm not sure who decides if these things officially 'count', but people down there really need to be extra careful. Especially since there is so much danger in having a heart attack, falling off of roofs, being electrocuted, etc.

[cape_escape]

I live in Cape Coral and last night on the news it was reported that a 17 year old male was hit with lightning while up on a roof in Port Charlotte. I don't know if he is alive or not, but he was flown to St. Petersburg.