Tropical Storms and Hurricanes in New Orleans Lead to Increased Rates of Violent Injury

Abstract

Objective: The effects of named weather storms on the rates of penetrating trauma is poorly understood with only case reports of single events currently guiding public health policy. This study examines whether tropical storms and hurricanes contribute to trauma services and volume. Methods: This was a cross-sectional review of tropical storms/hurricanes affecting New Orleans, Louisiana, during hurricane seasons (June 1–November 30) from 2010–2021, and their association with the rate of penetrating trauma. Authors sought to determine how penetrating trauma rates changed during hurricane seasons and associate them with demographic variables. Results: There were 5531 penetrating injuries, with 412 (7.4%) occurring during landfall and 554 (10.0%) in the aftermath. Black/African Americans were the most affected. There was an increase in the rate of penetrating events during landfall (3.4 events/day) and aftermath (3.5 events/day) compared to the baseline (2.8 events/day) (P = < 0.001). Using multivariate analysis, wind speed was positively related to firearm injury, whereas the rainfall total was inversely related to firearm violence rates during landfall and aftermath periods. Self-harm was positively related to distance from the trauma center. Conclusions: Cities at risk for named weather storms may face increasing gun violence in the landfall and aftermath periods. Black/African Americans are most affected, worsening existing disparities. Self-harm may also increase following these weather events.