From ScienceDirect: Hospital preparedness for one of the worst predicted hurricane seasons on record – why this time is different.

Hurricane Ian in 2022 devastated western Florida becoming the seventh deadliest hurricane in US history with 66 total direct deaths attributed to the storm of which 41 were a result of storm surge. The leading causes of death were blunt trauma and drowning due to storm surge and flooding, particularly in Lee County, Florida. Freshwater flooding caused additional fatalities in central and eastern Florida.^4,5

Several lessons were learned from hurricane Ian that are instructive for healthcare systems to consider to adequately prepare and respond to future hurricanes.

• 1.Misplaced focus on the National Hurricane Centers (NHC) forecast cone: The public concentrated on the NHC Forecast Cone, which only indicates the probable path of the storm’s center, rather than understanding the broader impact areas. Large storms like Hurricane Ian have effects that extend well beyond the cone and may not follow the predicted forecast cone.
• 2.Delayed Evacuation Orders: Local officials delayed issuing evacuation orders, which reduced the time available for residents to safely evacuate from high-risk areas. This delay contributed to higher fatalities during the storm.
• 3.Underestimating Water Risks: People tend to underestimate the dangers of water (storm surge and flooding) compared to wind during hurricanes. This leads to inadequate preparation and response to water-related threats.3, 5