Hurricanes indirectly cause thousands of deaths for nearly 15 years after a storm, study finds

Tropical cyclones, including Hurricane Helene, cause excess deaths for up to 15 years after a storm, according to a study published in Nature on Oct. 2. Researchers estimate each U.S. tropical cyclone indirectly results in 7,000 to 11,000 excess deaths, affecting infants, people aged 1 to 44, and the Black population.
The study highlights that excess mortality persists long after hurricanes have passed, contributing significantly to deaths beyond immediate storm impacts. The study says that exactly how storms contribute to these deaths is something that is going to need a lot more research.