Avian Flu Diary: MMWR: Heat-Related Deaths During an Extreme Heat Event

Severe weather reports from 2012 Derecho

# 7372

In late June of 2012 an unusually strong storm front, known as a Derecho, swept across parts of the Eastern United States – killing 15 people – and leaving millions without electrical power for more than a week (see Picking Up The Pieces)

Adding to the misery – and danger – the region remained under an EHE (Extreme Heat Event) advisory for two weeks.

Not surprisingly, given these difficult conditions, dozens of additional heat-related deaths were recorded during the two weeks following the storm.

Yesterday, the CDC’s MMWR looked at these excess heat-related deaths in a report called:

Heat-Related Deaths After an Extreme Heat Event — Four States, 2012, and United States, 1999–2009

Weekly
June 7, 2013 / 62(22);433-436
On June 29, 2012, a rapidly moving line of intense thunderstorms with high winds swept across the midwestern and eastern United States, causing widespread damage and power outages. Afterward, the area experienced extreme heat, with maximum temperatures exceeding 100°F (37.8°C) (1). This report describes 32 heat-related deaths in Maryland, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia that occurred during the 2 weeks following the storms and power outages. Median age of the decedents was 65 years, and most of the excessive heat exposures occurred within homes. During 1999–2009, an annual average of 658 heat-related deaths occurred in the United States (2). Heat-related deaths are preventable, and heat response plans should be in place before an extreme heat event (EHE). Interventions should focus on identifying and limiting heat exposure among vulnerable populations.

(Continue . . .)

The entire report is worth reading, and the reader will discover that over the past 10 years, twice we’ve seen more than 1,000 heat related deaths in a year.

These numbers pale in comparison to the heat-related deaths that occurred during the prolonged drought and heat wave of 1980. As many as 10,000 Americans are believed to have died from that 3-month long natural disaster.

This from NOAA’s A Climatology of 1980-2003 Extreme Weather and Climate Events by Tom Ross and Neal Lott.

1980 Drought/Heat Wave - June-September 1980. Central and eastern U.S.; estimated $20.0 (48.4) billion damage/costs to agriculture and related industries; estimated 10,000 deaths (includes heat stress-related).

Whether it comes as a result of a tornado, hurricane, earthquake, or other major disaster – prolonged power outages that occur during the extreme temperatures of summer or winter can be life threatening events.

Being prepared for an emergency means being able to deal with the aftermath of a disaster, and the ability to keep cool, or stay warm, should be part of everyone’s disaster plan.

You’ll find a detailed webpage on how to handle heat emergencies from the CDC’s Emergency Preparedness and Response website:

Extreme Heat: A Prevention Guide to Promote Your Personal Health and Safety

(Continue . . . )

Ready.gov has some advice for preparing or heat emergencies.

Before Extreme Heat

To prepare for extreme heat, you should:

To begin preparing, you should build an emergency kit and make a family communications plan.

Install window air conditioners snugly; insulate if necessary.

Check air-conditioning ducts for proper insulation.
Install temporary window reflectors (for use between windows and drapes), such as aluminum foil-covered cardboard, to reflect heat back outside.

Weather-strip doors and sills to keep cool air in.

Cover windows that receive morning or afternoon sun with drapes, shades, awnings, or louvers. (Outdoor awnings or louvers can reduce the heat that enters a home by up to 80 percent.)

Keep storm windows up all year.

Listen to local weather forecasts and stay aware of upcoming temperature changes.

Know those in your neighborhood who are elderly, young, sick or overweight. They are more likely to become victims of excessive heat and may need help.

Be aware that people living in urban areas may be at greater risk from the effects of a prolonged heat wave than are people living in rural areas.

Get trained in first aid to learn how to treat heat-related emergencies.

During a disaster like a hurricane or tornado the obvious threats – flying debris, storm surge, electrocution – are all easy to spot. But things like dehydration and heat stroke are often insidious, and can strike before anyone notices their threat.

Three summers ago, on a particularly hot Florida afternoon, we had a power outage that lasted more than 6 hours. I wrote about it in Sweltering In Place.

While I was already set up with a 12 volt fan, my Sister and Father weren’t so lucky. . . . they ended up driving across town to sit in an air-conditioned restaurant for several hours.

The next day, I went out and bought them each a battery operated personal cooling fan, one that will run for nearly 24 hours on 4 D-Cells.

I paid about $12 each for them.

personal Fan

Of course, I’ve also got plenty of water stored, food, first aid supplies packets of rehydration solution, and at least four places within 150 miles of where I live where I could evacuate to if staying where I am became untenable.