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MMWR Publications |
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MMWR Information |
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Additional Resources |
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The impact of the 2005
Atlantic hurricane season and the resulting death, injury,
destruction, and population displacement were unprecedented in U.S.
history. During 2005, 15 tropical storms became hurricanes. For the
first time, four major hurricanes made landfall in the United
States; three of those reached Category 5 intensity.
The worst effects were felt from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. On
August 29, Hurricane Katrina struck the U.S. Gulf Coast, causing
severe damage from a two-story storm surge, powerful winds, and
heavy rains. Approximately 80% of New Orleans was flooded after the
surge from the Gulf of Mexico forced breaks in a levee, releasing
water from Lake Pontchartrain into the city. Katrina became the
deadliest U.S. hurricane since 1928 and likely the costliest natural
disaster on record in the United States.
On September 24, response and recovery activities in the wake of
Katrina were interrupted when Hurricane Rita struck the Gulf Coast.
Rita rendered more homes uninhabitable and thousands more seeking
shelter elsewhere. More than 200,000 persons were displaced by the
hurricanes and dispersed to evacuee shelters in 18 states. The
economic and health consequences of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita
extended far beyond the Gulf region and ultimately affected states
and communities throughout the United States.
CDC, along with other disaster-relief agencies, provided emergency
services after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and dispatched teams to
conduct surveillance of illness and injury and rapid assessments of
the needs among residents and shelter evacuees. MMWR devoted two
special issues (January 20, 2006 and March 10, 2006) to the public
health response by CDC and others. Reports from those issues and
other issues of MMWR regarding public health responses to hurricanes
in 2005 and in earlier years are offered at the following links to
provide emergency responders and health-care providers with an
updated hurricane resource.
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Hurricanes |
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Summary of Notifiable Diseases — United States, 2005 |
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3/30/2008
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The Summary of
Notifiable Diseases — United States, 2005 contains the official
statistics, in tabular and graphic form, for the reported
occurrence of nationally notifiable infectious diseases in the
United States for 2005. These statistics are collected and
compiled from reports sent by state health departments to the
National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System (NNDSS), which
is operated by CDC in collaboration with the Council of State
and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE). |
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Morbidity Surveillance After Hurricane Katrina --- Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas, September 2005 |
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7/07/2006
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After Hurricane
Katrina made landfall on the U.S. Gulf Coast in August 2005,
public health responders worked to identify and prevent
hurricane-related morbidity and mortality among affected
populations. This report summarizes the challenges of conducting
national surveillance after Hurricane Katrina. |
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Mold Prevention Strategies and Possible Health Effects in the Aftermath of Hurricanes and Major Floods |
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6/09/2006
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This report provides information on how to limit exposure to mold and how to identify and prevent mold-related health effects after major floods and hurricanes. Information is provided regarding assessing exposure, clean-up and prevention, personal protective equipment, health effects, and public health strategies and recommendations. The recommendations assume that, in the aftermath of hurricanes or major floods, buildings wet for
>48 hours will generally support visible and extensive mold growth and should be remediated, and excessive exposure to mold-contaminated materials can cause adverse health effects in susceptible persons regardless of the type of mold or the extent of contamination. To prevent exposure that could result in adverse health effects from disturbed mold, persons should 1) avoid areas where mold contamination is obvious; 2) use environmental controls; 3) use personal protective equipment; and 4) keep hands, skin, and clothing clean and free from mold-contaminated dust. |
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Health Hazard Evaluation of Police Officers and Firefighters After Hurricane Katrina --- New Orleans, Louisiana, October 17--28 and November 30--December 5, 2005 |
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4/28/2006
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Summarizes the results of a health hazard evaluation of local police officers and firefighters after Hurricane Katrina. The evaluation determined that upper respiratory and skin rash symptoms were the most common physical symptoms reported and lacerations and sprains were the most common injuries. In addition, approximately one third of the respondents reported either depressive symptoms or symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder, or both. These results underscore the need to incorporate the safety and health of emergency responders into existing disaster preparedness plans and to provide periodic responder training and education in tasks unique to disaster situations. Clinical follow-up of the physical and psychological health of emergency responders should be conducted to better understand, monitor, and treat their health conditions. |
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Rapid Needs Assessment of Two Rural Communities After Hurricane Wilma --- Hendry County, Florida, November 1--2, 2005 |
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4/21/2006
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Describes a rapid
needs assessment of communities most affected by Hurricane
Wilma. The assessment determined that approximately one third of
households also had been affected by at least one other
hurricane that preceded Wilma during 2004 and 2005. More than
half of the households surveyed lived in homes that were damaged
but still habitable, and 10% of households in one subdivision
reported their homes as uninhabitable; approximately 73% of
households had not received information about how to remain safe
during clean-up activities. Results of the assessment were
immediately provided to local and state authorities for
allocation of resources to help these communities recover from
the hurricane. |
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Tuberculosis Control Activities After Hurricane Katrina --- New Orleans, Louisiana, 2005 |
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3/31/2006
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Updates previous information and summarizes
tuberculosis (TB) cases reported as of December 31, 2005, among persons undergoing TB
treatment in the New Orleans area when Hurricane Katrina made landfall and among persons
who were evacuated and subsequently received a diagnosis of TB in other parts of the
country. By October 13, 2005, all 130 TB patients from the New Orleans area had been
located and, if still indicated, had resumed TB treatment. As a result of heightened
public health surveillance among Hurricane Katrina evacuees, six other New Orleans
evacuees began treatment (i.e., two persons with known TB and four with previously
undiagnosed TB) after arriving in other states. The success of these post-disaster TB
control measures affirms the utility of alternative data sources during
health-related emergencies and the importance of maintaining a strong TB control
component in the public health sector. |
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Public Health Response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita — United States, 2005 |
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3/10/2006
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On August 29, 2005,
Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast, the eye making landfall
at Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana. The events that followed made
Katrina the deadliest hurricane since 1928 and likely the
costliest natural disaster on record in the United States. The
disaster was compounded when Hurricane Rita made landfall 26
days later near the Texas-Louisiana border, forcing cessation of
hurricane response activities in New Orleans and evacuation of
coastal regions of Louisiana and Texas. The first issue,
published January 20, 2006, focused on public health activities
in Louisiana. This second issue focuses on activities in other
states directly or indirectly affected by the two hurricanes. |
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Surveillance for Illness and Injury After Hurricane Katrina --- Three Counties, Mississippi, September 5--October 11, 2005 |
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3/10/2006
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In Mississippi, the storm
surge from Hurricane Katrina was an estimated 27 feet high at
the Hancock County Emergency Operations Center and extended
inland for 6–12 miles. The devastation was greatest in the
coastal counties of Hancock, Harrison, and Jackson, where public
infrastructure was severely disrupted. Multiple hospitals,
health clinics, and public health facilities were either
destroyed or nonfunctioning immediately after the hurricane. The
Mississippi Department of Health (MDH) asked CDC to help conduct
active surveillance at hospital emergency departments, federal
Disaster Medical Assistance Team operation sites, and outpatient
health-care facilities in Hancock, Harrison, and Jackson
counties. On September 4, a team of 17 CDC staff members was
deployed to Mississippi to work with MDH and an Epi Strike Team
from the Florida Department of Health to provide surveillance
for injury and illness. This report describes those
activities and their findings
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Illness Surveillance and Rapid Needs Assessment Among Hurricane Katrina Evacuees --- Colorado, September 1--23, 2005 |
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3/10/2006
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After Hurricane
Katrina struck the Gulf Coast, 200,000 evacuees were sent to
shelters in 18 states, including Colorado, which had 3,600
evacuees registered at the former Lowry Air Force Base, with an
average of 400 in residence per day. In all, an estimated 6,000
evacuees were living throughout Colorado in the weeks after
Hurricane Katrina. As a result of this influx, the Colorado
Department of Public Health and Environment Tri-County Health
Department established surveillance systems to provide early
detection of outbreaks and determine the scope of medical
conditions of evacuees. A rapid needs assessment also was
conducted to assess acute medical and other needs of evacuees.
Results indicated that many evacuees had chronic conditions and
approximately half planned to remain in the area. The most
common acute symptoms were related to altitude sickness,
requiring education of incoming Gulf Coast evacuees regarding
the effects of the mile-high altitude in Denver. |
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Rapid Community Needs Assessment After Hurricane Katrina --- Hancock County, Mississippi, September 14--15, 2005 |
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3/10/2006
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On August 29, 2005,
Hurricane Katrina moved northeast from Louisiana and made its
second landfall over Hancock County, Mississippi. Katrina
ravaged the Mississippi coast, leaving thousands of residents
without shelter, food, water, utilities, and access to health
care. To obtain information about the effects of the hurricane
on residents in Hancock County, the Mississippi Department of
Health asked CDC to conduct a rapid community needs assessment
in what was presumed to be the state’s most severely affected
county. The objectives of the assessment were to 1) identify the
public health needs of the community and 2) estimate the effect
of the hurricane on households to assist response and recovery
activities. This report describes the results of that
assessment, which indicated that more than one third of the
homes had been destroyed, many in the area lacked critical
household services and remained dependent on relief agencies,
and some were in need of health services such as medical care
and prescription refills. |
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Mortality Associated with Hurricane Katrina --- Florida and Alabama, August--October 2005 |
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3/10/2006
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On August 25, 2005,
Hurricane Katrina made landfall between Hallandale Beach and
Aventura, Florida, as a Category 1 hurricane, with sustained
winds of 80 mph. Storm effects, primarily rain, flooding, and
high winds, were substantial; certain areas reported nearly 12
inches of rainfall. After crossing southern Florida and entering
the Gulf of Mexico, the hurricane strengthened and made landfall
on August 29 as a Category 3 hurricane in southeastern
Louisiana. Katrina was one of the strongest hurricanes to strike
the United States during the past 100 years and was likely the
nation’s costliest natural disaster to date. This report
summarizes findings and recommendations from a review of
mortality records of Florida’s Medical Examiners Commission (FMEC)
and the Alabama Department of Forensic Science (ADFS). CDC was
invited by Florida Department of Health (FDOH) and Alabama
Department of Public Health (ADPH) to assess the mortality
related to Hurricane Katrina. The mortality review was to
provide county-based information that would be used to 1) define
the impact of the hurricane, 2) describe the etiology of deaths,
and 3) identify strategies to prevent or reduce future
hurricane-related mortality. Information from the
characterization of these deaths will be used to reduce
hurricane-related mortality through early community awareness of
hurricane-related risk, prevention measures, and effective
communication of a coordinated hurricane response plan. |
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Carbon Monoxide Poisonings After Two Major Hurricanes --- Alabama and Texas, 2005 |
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3/10/2006
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Hurricanes Katrina
and Rita struck the U.S. Gulf Coast on August 29, 2005, and
September 24, 2005, respectively, causing widespread damage and
leaving approximately 4 million households without electrical
power. Multiple carbon monoxide (CO) poisonings were reported in
coastal states after these hurricanes. The Alabama Department of
Public Health and the Texas Department of State Health Services
asked CDC to help investigate the extent and causes of these
hurricane-related CO poisonings. The investigation identified 27
CO poisoning incidents resulting in 78 nonfatal poisonings and
10 deaths in hurricane-affected counties in Alabama and Texas,
nearly all of which were caused by gasoline-powered generators.
To prevent future CO poisonings during power outages, CDC
continues to recommend that generators be placed far from homes,
away from window air conditioners, and that CO detectors be used
by all households operating gasoline-powered appliances, with
batteries replaced yearly. |
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Rapid Assessment of Health Needs and Resettlement Plans Among Hurricane Katrina Evacuees --- San Antonio, Texas, September 2005 |
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3/10/2006
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On September 3,
2005, approximately 12,700 evacuees from regions affected by
Hurricane Katrina arrived in San Antonio, Texas and were housed
in four primary evacuation centers. To assess evacuee needs for
clinical care, public health services, and housing assistance,
the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District requested CDC
assistance to conduct a needs assessment of heads of households
in the evacuation centers. This report summarizes the findings
of the assessment, which identified substantial numbers of
evacuees with chronic health conditions, physical or mental
disabilities, and needs for counseling and housing assistance. |
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Public Health Response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita --- Louisiana, 2005 |
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1/20/2006
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On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast near the Louisiana-Mississippi border as a category 3 hurricane. The effect of earlier category 5 wind speeds on Gulf waters and the massive size of the storm created devastating storm-surge conditions for coastal Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama and caused damage as far east as the Florida panhandle. Storm-induced breeches in the New Orleans levee system resulted in catastrophic flooding of approximately 80% of that city. Hurricane Katrina was the deadliest hurricane to strike the United States since 1928. Preliminary mortality reports indicated approximately 1,000 Katrina-related deaths in Louisiana, 200 in Mississippi, and 20 in Florida, Alabama, and Georgia.
MMWR is highlighting the public health response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita with two special issues. This issue focuses on public health activities in Louisiana 1--2 months after Hurricane Katrina, during which time local authorities reopened portions of New Orleans and the pre-disaster population began to return. |
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Two Cases of Toxigenic Vibrio cholerae O1 Infection After Hurricanes Katrina and Rita --- Louisiana, October 2005 |
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1/20/2006
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Louisiana was struck by Hurricane Katrina on August 29, 2005, and by Hurricane Rita on September 24, 2005. The two hurricanes caused unprecedented damage
from wind and storm surge and levee breaks resulted in disastrous flooding. With the flooding, an immediate public health concern was the potential for outbreaks of infectious diseases, including cholera.
This report describes the investigation by the Louisiana Office of Public Health and CDC into two cases of toxigenic
V. cholerae O1 infection attributed to consumption of undercooked or contaminated seafood.
Although noncholeragenic Vibrio illnesses were reported in 22 residents of Louisiana and Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina, no epidemic of cholera was identified, and no evidence exists of increased risk to
Gulf Coast residents. |
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Surveillance in Hurricane Evacuation Centers --- Louisiana, September--October 2005 |
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1/20/2006
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Before the arrival of Katrina, New Orleans and surrounding parishes were under
a mandatory evacuation order. Because of this order and subsequent flooding, approximately 400,000 residents became displaced.
The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals recognized the need for communicable disease surveillance in evacuation centers.
On September 8, 2005, statewide daily syndromic surveillance for communicable diseases was begun. In addition to collecting and
analyzing data on communicable disease syndromes, data were collected on chronic medical conditions, injuries, and mental health
conditions. This report summarizes the development and implementation of this surveillance system. |
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Injury and Illness Surveillance in Hospitals and Acute-Care Facilities After Hurricanes Katrina and Rita --- New Orleans Area, Louisiana, September 25--October 15, 2005 |
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1/20/2006
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In response to
Hurricane Katrina, CDC and the Louisiana Department of Health
and Hospitals implemented active surveillance on September 9,
2005, to monitor for injuries and illnesses at functioning
hospitals and other acute-care facilities in the greater New
Orleans area. On September 20, the system was interrupted
because of mandatory evacuation for Hurricane Rita. Surveillance
was reestablished on September 24, and repopulation of Orleans
Parish began on September 30. This report updates a previous
report on injuries and illness surveillance during September
8--25, 2005, describing events during the days after Hurricane
Rita, when repopulation began. Results indicated that 17,446
visits occurred at participating facilities during this period.
The proportion of relief workers with acute respiratory
illnesses and unintentional injuries was higher compared with
residents, but the proportion of falls and motor-vehicle crashes
among relief workers was lower. |
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Assessment of Health-Related Needs After Hurricanes Katrina and Rita --- Orleans and Jefferson Parishes, New Orleans Area, Louisiana, October 17--22, 2005
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1/20/2006
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Seven weeks after Hurricane Katrina struck the New Orleans area,
causing levees to break and large sections of the city to flood, local authorities had reopened most of
Jefferson Parish and much of Orleans Parish to residents. To identify health-related needs among returning
parish residents, state and local public health and mental health agencies and CDC conducted an assessment.
This report describes the results of that assessment, which determined that 20.2% of housing units still lacked
water, and 24.5% had no electricity. In addition, 49.8% of adults had levels of emotional distress that indicated
a potential need for mental health services. As a result of these findings, the Louisiana Office of Mental Health
established a crisis-counseling program to provide interventions and support to hurricane survivors. |
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Health Concerns Associated with Mold in Water-Damaged Homes After Hurricanes Katrina and Rita --- New Orleans Area, Louisiana, October 2005
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1/20/2006
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After Hurricanes Katrina and Rita made landfall, large sections
of New Orleans and three surrounding parishes were flooded for weeks, leading to extensive mold growth
in residences. As residents reoccupied the city, local health-care providers and public health authorities were
concerned about the potential for respiratory health effects from exposure to water-damaged homes. On October 6, 2005,
CDC was invited by the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals to assist in documenting potential exposures.
This report summarizes the results of that investigation, which determined that 46% of inspected homes had visible mold growth
and that residents and remediation workers did not consistently use appropriate respiratory protection. |
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Norovirus Outbreak Among Evacuees from Hurricane Katrina --- Houston, Texas,
September 2005 |
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10/14/2005
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Surveillance for Illness and Injury After Hurricane Katrina --- New Orleans,
Louisiana, September 8--25, 2005 |
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10/14/2005
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Carbon Monoxide Poisoning After Hurricane Katrina --- Alabama, Louisiana, and
Mississippi, August--September 2005 |
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10/07/2005
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Infectious Disease and Dermatologic Conditions in Evacuees and Rescue Workers
After Hurricane Katrina --- Multiple States, August--September, 2005 |
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9/30/2005
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Vibrio Illnesses After Hurricane Katrina --- Multiple States,
August--September 2005 |
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9/23/2005
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Hurricane Katrina Response and Guidance for Health-Care Providers, Relief
Workers, and Shelter Operators |
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9/09/2005
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Epidemiologic Assessment
of the Impact of Four Hurricanes---Florida, 2004 |
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7/22/2005
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Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
from Hurricane-Associated Use of Portable Generators---Florida,
2004 |
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7/22/2005
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Preliminary Medical Examiner Reports of Mortality Associated with
Hurricane Charley --- Florida, 2004 |
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9/17/2004
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Brief
Report: Acute Illness from Dry Ice Exposure During Hurricane Ivan
--- Alabama, 2004 |
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12/24/2004
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Rapid Assessment of the
Needs and Health Status of Older Adults After Hurricane Charley —
Charlotte, DeSoto, and Hardee Counties, Florida, August 27–31,
2004 |
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9/17/2004 |
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Rapid Community Health
and Needs Assessments After Hurricanes Isabel and Charley ---
North Carolina, 2003—2004 |
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9/17/2004
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Tropical Storm Allison
Rapid Needs Assessment --- Houston, Texas, June 2001 |
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5/03/2002
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Morbidity and Mortality
Associated with Hurricane Floyd --- North Carolina,
September--October 1999 |
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5/05/2000
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Needs Assessment
Following Hurricane Georges -- Dominican Republic, 1998 |
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2/12/1999
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Deaths Associated with Hurricanes
Marilyn and Opal -- United States, September-October 1995 |
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1/19/1996
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Surveillance for
Injuries and Illnesses and Rapid Health-Needs Assessment Following
Hurricanes Marilyn and Opal, September-October 1995 |
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2/2/1996
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Comprehensive
Assessment of Health Needs 2 Months After Hurricane Andrew -- Dade
County, Florida, 1992 |
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6/11/1993
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Emergency Mosquito
Control Associated with Hurricane Andrew -- Florida and Louisiana,
1992 |
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4/09/1993
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Injuries and Illnesses Related to Hurricane Andrew -- Louisiana, 1992 |
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4/09/1993
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Rapid Health Needs
Assessment Following Hurricane Andrew -- Florida and Louisiana,
1992 |
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9/18/1992
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Epidemiologic Notes and
Reports Surveillance of Shelters after Hurricane Hugo -- Puerto
Rico |
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1/26/1990
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CDC Guidance for Shelter Operators, Health-Care Providers, and Relief Workers
To help medical and relief workers respond safely and
effectively in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, CDC has
compiled a set of resource guides. These guides include
information on such topics as infectious diseases, sanitation
and hygiene, wound care, management of acute diarrhea, interim
immunization recommendations for relief workers and displaced
persons, vaccine storage, electrical safety, injury
prevention, and disaster mental health resources. MMWR
will continue to provide additional guidance on this site as
the emergency response to Hurricane Katrina progresses.
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