Mortality Associated with Hurricane Matthew - United States, October 2016

• Published in: MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 2017, Vol.66 (5), p.145
• Main Authors: Wang, Alice, Issa, Anindita, Bayleyegn, Tesfaye, Noe, Rebecca S, Mullarkey, Christine, Casani, Julie, Nelson, Craig L, Fleischauer, Aaron, Clement, Kimberly D, Hamilton, Janet J, Harrison, Christopher, Edison, Laura, Hobron, Kathrin, Kurkjian, Katie M, Choudhary, Ekta, Wolkin, Amy
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Subjects: Drownings; Floods; Public health
• ISSN: 0149-2195; 1545-861X

After 3 days as a Category 3 and 4 hurricane in Haiti and Bahamas, Hurricane Matthew moved along the coast of the southeastern US during Oct 6-8, 2016. Early on October 8, the storm made landfall southeast of McClellanville, SC, as a Category 1 hurricane with sustained winds of approximately 75 mph, leading to massive coastal and inland flooding, particularly in North Carolina and South Carolina. Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia made major disaster declarations; approximately 2 million persons were under evacuation orders in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. In response to the hurricane, CDC activated the Emergency Operations Center Incident Management System, tracked online media reports of Hurricane Matthew-associated deaths, and contacted states for confirmation of deaths. This report summarizes state-confirmed Hurricane Matthew-associated deaths that occurred during October 1-October 21 in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Drowning was the most common cause of death, accounting for 23 (54%) deaths.