![[ Visit Client Website ]](images/banner.png)
BACKGROUND: On October 28, 2012, New York City (NYC) Mayor Bloomberg ordered the evacuation of coastal storm zone A in anticipation of Hurricane Sandy’s impact. Ultimately, high winds and flooding due to a record breaking storm surge resulted in 44 fatalities, among which 36 (81.8%) were caused by drowning in coastal areas. Since drowning deaths are considered preventable with advance warning, it is critical to understand how drownings occurred, who was affected, and reasons people stayed in evacuated areas.
METHODS: We analyzed NYC Sandy-related death records from October 29–November 9, 2012 that had “drowning” as the cause of death. Using name and date of birth, we matched records with data collected by the American Red Cross, which includes information on the circumstances leading to death based on interviews with decedents’ family and friends. We examined decedents’ age, race/ethnicity, birthplace, education, marital status, and residential address and summarized reasons decedents did not evacuate.
RESULTS: Drowning deaths primarily occurred in Staten Island (61.1%), Queens (19.4%), and Brooklyn (11.1%). Thirty-two of 36 deaths occurred in or directly outside the decedent’s home, the majority of which (90.6%) were in evacuation A. Decedents ranged in age from 2 to 90 years (mean = 60.9 years, median = 63.5 years). The majority were male (72.2%), white non-Hispanic (80.6%), and US-born (72.2%). Among those >18 years (n = 33), 66.7% were unmarried and 78.8% had at least a high school education. Approximately one-quarter of decedents had at least one reason for not evacuating reported in American Red Cross data. Two decedents reportedly stayed because Hurricane Irene (a year prior) was mild. Three decedents remained to protect family belongings from flood damage or looters. Interviews also revealed that at least four decedents had disabilities, including blindness, mobility impairment, or cerebral palsy.
CONCLUSIONS: Despite predictions of Hurricane Sandy’s impact and efforts to evacuate NYC residents, most storm-related fatalities were as a result of drowning. We found more drowning deaths than the 32 previously reported; decedents were more likely to be older, male, unmarried, US-born, and white non-Hispanic. Many reportedly chose to stay as a result of their experience with previous hurricanes or desire to protect family and belongings; others may not have evacuated because of physical or cognitive impairment. These findings indicate that improved risk messaging, particularly among high-risk groups, is needed. Available resources to assist evacuation should also be assessed, particularly those for older adults and impaired individuals.