### New Study Reveals Hidden Death Toll of Hurricanes

Hurricanes have long been known for the immediate devastation they bring, but new research indicates their impact on human health persists for years, causing far more deaths than previously recognized. While official figures estimate direct fatalities, a study reveals that each hurricane leads to an average of 11,000 excess deaths over the course of 15 years, suggesting the long-term death toll is hundreds of times higher than reported.

Hurricane Helene, one of the century's worst storms, has already claimed at least 147 lives directly through events such as drownings, vehicle accidents caused by flooding, and structural collapses. However, the storm’s broader and more persistent effects could result in thousands of additional deaths in the years to come, driven by wrecked homes, strained health systems, crippled economies, and disrupted social networks.

An analysis published in the journal Nature examined over 500 tropical cyclones that struck the United States since 1930. Researchers combined weather data with mortality records from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, spanning months before and after each storm. Their findings show elevated death rates in affected regions for up to 15 years after a hurricane.

The study highlights that these "indirect deaths" often result from medical conditions such as cancer and heart disease, conditions exacerbated by the prolonged stress and logistical disruptions following a storm. The most vulnerable populations—infants, the elderly, and racial minorities—bear the brunt of this ongoing crisis.

Between 1930 and 2015, approximately 5.7 million Americans are estimated to have died due to the long-term effects of hurricanes, contributing to 3 to 5 percent of annual deaths across the continental United States. Such staggering figures point to major deficiencies in the nation's disaster-recovery processes, which leave communities poorer, sicker, and more isolated according to co-author Rachel Young, an environmental economist at the University of California at Berkeley.

The indirect death phenomenon is corroborated by W. Craig Fugate, who led Florida's emergency management division and later managed the Federal Emergency Management Agency. He notes that long after the physical rebuilding is over, trauma continues to take a toll on survivors’ mental and physical health.

Solomon Hsiang, director of the Global Policy Laboratory at Stanford University, said the sharp and sustained increase in death rates following hurricanes was unexpected. By using statistical methods to isolate the impact of individual storms, researchers found that in hurricane-prone states like Florida, the Carolinas, and Louisiana, approximately 1 in 10 deaths over the past century could be attributed to hurricanes.

Environmental economist Tatyana Deryugina from the University of Illinois remarked on the robust nature of these findings, despite their unexpected nature. The study meticulously ruled out other factors such as income and race, reinforcing that hurricanes are the primary driver behind these enhanced mortality rates.

One particularly alarming finding is the disproportionate impact on infants, who represent only 1 percent of the U.S. population but account for 14 percent of the excess deaths post-hurricane. This suggests that hurricanes significantly alter the environments and economies of affected communities, making them much more perilous for the youngest members of society.

In conclusion, the disparity in death risk among different racial groups underscores the pervasive economic and health inequalities. Black individuals are three times more likely to die from the indelible consequences of hurricanes compared to their White counterparts, illuminating a crucial area for policy intervention.