Damaging roads and bridges, disrupting access to hospitals and pharmacies.
Interrupting communication, utility, and health care services.
Contributing to carbon monoxide poisoning from improper use of portable electric generators during and after storms.
Increasing stomach and intestinal illness, particularly following power outages.
Creating or worsening mental health impacts such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
In addition, emergency evacuations pose health risks to older adults, especially those with limited mobility who cannot use elevators during power outages. Evacuations may be complicated by the need for concurrent transfer of medical records, medications, and medical equipment. Some individuals with disabilities may also be disproportionally affected if they are unable to access evacuation routes, have difficulty in understanding or receiving warnings of impending danger, or have limited ability to communicate their needs.
————EDIT BY YUZHOU LU