U.S. tropical cyclones including hurricanes indirectly cause thousands of deaths for nearly 15 years after the storm. Understanding why could help minimize future deaths from hazards fueled by climate change. New research reveals hurricanes and tropical storms in the United States cause a surge of deaths for nearly 15 years after a storm hits. 

Official government statistics record only the number of individuals killed during these storms, which are together called “tropical cyclones.” Usually these direct deaths, which average 24 per storm in official estimates, occur through drowning or some other type of trauma. But the new study led by recent C-PREE graduate Rachel Young and her co-author Solomon Hsiang, reveals a larger, hidden death toll in hurricanes’ aftermath.

Young and Hsiang estimate an average U.S. tropical cyclone indirectly causes 7,000 to 11,000 excess deaths. All told, they estimate tropical storms since 1930 have contributed to between 3.6 million and 5.2 million deaths in the U.S. – more than all deaths nationwide from motor vehicle accidents, infectious diseases, or battle deaths in wars during the same period. Official government statistics put the total death toll from these storms at about 10,000 people.