Mortality From a Tornado Outbreak, Alabama, April 27, 2011

Bibliographic Data

ID11019458
AuthorsCindy H Chiu (Cindy H. Chiu is with the Epidemic Intelligence Service Program assigned to the National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA. Amy H. Schnall, Rebecca S. Noe, Amy F. Wolkin, and Sara J. Vagi are with the Health Studies Branch, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Caitlin E. Mertzlufft is with Geospatial Research, Analysis, and Services Program, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Atlanta, GA...), Cindy Chiu de Vázquez (0000-0003-2226-2776, National Center for Environmental Health), Amy H Schnall (0000-0003-4340-3689, Cindy H. Chiu is with the Epidemic Intelligence Service Program assigned to the National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA. Amy H. Schnall, Rebecca S. Noe, Amy F. Wolkin, and Sara J. Vagi are with the Health Studies Branch, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Caitlin E. Mertzlufft is with Geospatial Research, Analysis, and Services Program, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Atlanta, GA...), Caitlin E Mertzlufft (0000-0001-8708-5032, Cindy H. Chiu is with the Epidemic Intelligence Service Program assigned to the National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA. Amy H. Schnall, Rebecca S. Noe, Amy F. Wolkin, and Sara J. Vagi are with the Health Studies Branch, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Caitlin E. Mertzlufft is with Geospatial Research, Analysis, and Services Program, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Atlanta, GA...), Rebecca S Noe (Cindy H. Chiu is with the Epidemic Intelligence Service Program assigned to the National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA. Amy H. Schnall, Rebecca S. Noe, Amy F. Wolkin, and Sara J. Vagi are with the Health Studies Branch, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Caitlin E. Mertzlufft is with Geospatial Research, Analysis, and Services Program, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Atlanta, GA...), Amy F Wolkin (Cindy H. Chiu is with the Epidemic Intelligence Service Program assigned to the National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA. Amy H. Schnall, Rebecca S. Noe, Amy F. Wolkin, and Sara J. Vagi are with the Health Studies Branch, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Caitlin E. Mertzlufft is with Geospatial Research, Analysis, and Services Program, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Atlanta, GA...), Amy Wolkin (0000-0003-4307-7641, National Center for Environmental Health), Jeanne Spears (Cindy H. Chiu is with the Epidemic Intelligence Service Program assigned to the National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA. Amy H. Schnall, Rebecca S. Noe, Amy F. Wolkin, and Sara J. Vagi are with the Health Studies Branch, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Caitlin E. Mertzlufft is with Geospatial Research, Analysis, and Services Program, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Atlanta, GA...), Mary Casey-Lockyer (Cindy H. Chiu is with the Epidemic Intelligence Service Program assigned to the National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA. Amy H. Schnall, Rebecca S. Noe, Amy F. Wolkin, and Sara J. Vagi are with the Health Studies Branch, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Caitlin E. Mertzlufft is with Geospatial Research, Analysis, and Services Program, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Atlanta, GA...), Sara J Vagi (0000-0003-2943-9167, Cindy H. Chiu is with the Epidemic Intelligence Service Program assigned to the National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA. Amy H. Schnall, Rebecca S. Noe, Amy F. Wolkin, and Sara J. Vagi are with the Health Studies Branch, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Caitlin E. Mertzlufft is with Geospatial Research, Analysis, and Services Program, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Atlanta, GA...)
Year2013
Volume103
Issue8
Pagese52-e58
Publication date2013-08-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueAmerican Journal of Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0090-0036 • E-ISSN: 1541-0048
PublisherAmerican Public Health Association (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.2105/ajph.2013.301291
PMID23763401
PMCIDPMC4007884
OpenAlexW2136488897
LanguageEN
Citations received8
References cited8

Objectives. We describe the demographics of the decedents from the tornado outbreak in Alabama on April 27, 2011; examine the circumstances of death surrounding these fatalities; and identify measures to prevent future tornado-related fatalities. Methods. We collected information about the decedents from death certificates, disaster-related mortality surveillance, and interview data collected by American Red Cross volunteers from the decedent’s families. We describe demographic characteristics, circumstances and causes of death, and sheltering behaviors before death. Results. Of the 247 fatalities, females and older adults were at highest risk for tornado-related deaths. Most deaths were directly related to the tornadoes, on scene, and trauma-related. The majority of the deceased were indoors in single-family homes. Word of mouth was the most common warning mechanism. Conclusions. This tornado event was the third deadliest in recent US history. Our findings support the need for local community shelters, enhanced messaging to inform the public of shelter locations, and encouragement of word-of-mouth warnings and personal and family preparedness planning, with a special focus on assisting vulnerable individuals in taking shelter

Demographics · Environmental health · Geography · Injury prevention · Medical emergency · Occupational safety and health · Outbreak · Pathology · Poison control · Preparedness · Sociology · Suicide prevention · Tornado · Climate Change and Health Impacts · Demography · Disaster Response and Management · Law · Medicine · Meteorological Phenomena and Simulations · Gerontology

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