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© 1990 Oxford University Press

research-article

Risk Factors for Tornado Injuries

MILLICENT EIDSON*, JEFFREY A LYBARGER**, JOHN E PARSONS*, J N MACCORMACK{dagger} and JOHN I FREEMAN{dagger}

* Epidemiology Program Office, Division of Field Services Atlanta, GA, 30333 USA
** Division of Environmental Hazards and Health Effects, Center for Environmental Health and Injury Control, Centers for Disease Control, Public Health Service, US Department of Health and Human Services Atlanta, GA, 30333 USA
{dagger}Division of Health Services, North Carolina Department of Human Resources Raleigh, NC, 27609, USA

Reprint requests to: Millicent Edison, Office of Epidemiology, New Mexico Health and Enivoronment Department, 1190 St Francis Dr, Santa Fe, NM 87503, USA.

Tornadoes in North and South Carolina on 28 March 1984 caused 252 people to be injured seriously enough to require hospitalization and 59 to be killed. To evaluate risk factors, we gathered information on 238 (94%) of those hospitalized and 46 (78%) of those killed. Those hospitalized or deceased had statistically significantly more deep cuts, concussions, unconsciousness and broken bones than those with them at the time of the tornado who were not hospitalized or killed. People living in mobile homes were more likely to be hospitalized or die than people occupying conventional houses. Other risk factors for hospitalization or death included advanced age (60+ years), no physical protection (not having been covered with a blanket or other object), having been struck by broken window glass or other falling objects, home lifted off its foundation, collapsed ceiling or floor, or walls blown away. More awareness of the tornado risk before it strikes and better adherence to tornado protection guidelines could reduce injuries and deaths in the future.

Received 1 March 1990


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