Top 5 Takeaways

1. Hurricane Ida Impact: Hurricane Ida caused significant damage and power outages, affecting approximately one million homes and businesses along the U.S. Gulf Coast.
2. Death Toll: As of September 9, 2021, media reported 91 deaths across nine states, with the majority (61.5%) occurring in the Northeast.
3. Causes of Death: The leading cause of death was drowning (60.4%), with most drownings (94.5%) occurring in the Northeast.
4. Age Distribution: Among the decedents with known age, 40.8% were aged ≥65 years.
5. Media Surveillance: CDC’s Epi/Surv Task Force used media reports to track deaths and guide public health messaging, highlighting the importance of timely and accurate information.

Original Article Author and Citation

Corresponding Author

Arianna Hanchey, kye2@cdc.gov

Suggested Citation

Hanchey A, Schnall A, Bayleyegn T, et al. Notes from the Field: Deaths Related to Hurricane Ida Reported by Media — Nine States, August 29–September 9, 2021. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2021;70:1385–1386. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7039a3

Summary

Hurricane Ida made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane, causing widespread damage and power outages. The CDC’s Epi/Surv Task Force activated media mortality surveillance to track deaths related to the hurricane. As of September 9, 2021, 91 deaths were reported across nine states, with the majority occurring in the Northeast. Drowning was the leading cause of death, particularly in submerged vehicles. The surveillance helped guide public health messaging to prevent further injuries and deaths.

Methods

The Epi/Surv Task Force used standardized key search terms to track online reports of deaths related to Hurricane Ida. Information from news media articles, press releases, and social media posts was compiled, coded, and analyzed. The results were shared with emergency response leadership and health communicators to provide situational awareness and guide messaging.

Discussion

The media surveillance revealed regional differences in causes and circumstances of death, highlighting the importance of timely data collection. The findings informed targeted public health messaging, such as checking on loved ones during wellness checks. The use of media reports, despite their limitations, provided immediate and valuable information for guiding public health responses.

Conclusion

Media reports are a crucial resource for timely information during emergencies. Continued use of media surveillance can guide evidence-based public health messaging to prevent further injury and death. The Epi/Surv Task Force will work to improve the accuracy and timeliness of mortality data sources.

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