Appendix C: Wind Storms
A wind storm may result in extended power outages, making children vulnerable to environmental health hazards such as temperature extremes, respiratory issues from poor air quality or mold, and increased risks from disrupted sanitation and healthcare access.
Common Environmental Hazards
| Environmental Health Hazard | How a wind storm might affect children's health |
|---|---|
| Air: Indoor Air Quality | Power outages can disrupt heating, cooling, and air circulation systems in homes and schools, leading to poor indoor air quality. Children are more vulnerable to respiratory issues from mold growth or the buildup of indoor pollutants due to their developing lungs and faster breathing rates. |
| Air: Outdoor Air Quality | Wind storms can stir up dust, debris, and particulate matter, reducing outdoor air quality. Children, with their higher respiratory rates and smaller airways, are more susceptible to the harmful effects of inhaling particles like dust or pollutants from damaged industrial sites. |
| Chemical: Asbestos | Wind storms can cause damage to older buildings or infrastructure containing asbestos, releasing harmful fibers into the air. Children are particularly vulnerable to inhaling these fibers, which can lead to respiratory issues, lung diseases, or even cancers in the long term. |
| Chemical: Combustion Byproducts | Wind storms may lead to fires, and power outages can exacerbate the effects of fire damage, releasing combustion byproducts such as carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air. Children are more susceptible to toxic gases, which can cause poisoning, respiratory distress, and neurological issues due to their smaller airways and higher exposure levels. |
| Chemical: Industrial Chemicals | Damaged industrial facilities and disrupted infrastructure caused by wind storms may release industrial chemicals, such as solvents or fuels, into the environment. Children are at increased risk for poisoning, respiratory issues, and long-term developmental problems from exposure to these chemicals. |
| Chemical: Lead & Heavy Metals | In areas with industrial sites, wind storms can disturb hazardous materials such as heavy metals, including lead or mercury, which may become airborne. Children are more likely to absorb these metals, leading to developmental delays, neurological damage, and other health complications. |
| Chemical: Pesticides & Herbicides | Wind storms can disperse agricultural chemicals like pesticides and herbicides into residential areas. Children are particularly vulnerable to these chemicals, which can cause neurological issues, developmental delays, or acute poisoning from direct exposure or ingestion. |
| Debris & Physical Hazards | Wind storms can generate large amounts of debris, such as fallen trees, branches, and damaged buildings, which can pose injury risks. Children are more likely to be injured by flying debris or by being trapped in collapsed structures, especially if they are outside during the storm. |
| Extreme Cold | In cases where power outages occur during colder weather, children may be exposed to extreme cold without proper heating. Children are more vulnerable to cold-related illnesses such as hypothermia or frostbite due to their smaller body size and higher heat loss rates. |
| Extreme Heat | If power outages occur during hot weather, children may be at risk of heat-related illnesses such as heatstroke, dehydration, or heat exhaustion. Without air conditioning or refrigeration for food and medications, children may be more vulnerable to heat-related health risks, as their bodies are less capable of regulating temperature. |
| Pest Management | Wind storms may displace pests like rodents, insects, and other animals, causing them to invade homes and shelters. Children are more susceptible to diseases transmitted by pests, such as leptospirosis from rodents or vector-borne diseases like Zika or West Nile virus from insects. |
| Water: Damage & Mold | Wind storms often cause water damage to homes, schools, and public buildings, leading to mold growth and standing water. Children are more susceptible to mold-related health issues, including respiratory problems, allergies, and asthma, due to their developing immune systems and higher exposure levels. |
| Water: Drinking Water Safety | Power outages can disrupt water treatment plants, potentially leading to contamination of drinking water supplies with bacteria, chemicals, or other pollutants. Children are particularly vulnerable to waterborne diseases like diarrhea, vomiting, or gastrointestinal illnesses from consuming contaminated water. |
| Water: Sewage & Wastewater Contaminants | Wind storms can overwhelm sewage systems, potentially causing untreated wastewater to be released into the environment. Children are more at risk for waterborne diseases such as E. coli or cholera from exposure to contaminated water from broken or damaged sewage lines. |
Educational Resources
Lessons Learned: General | ASPR TRACIE: This Topic Collection the most robust and most useful peer-reviewed and other public and privately developed materials (e.g., fact sheets, technical briefs, articles, toolkits, webinars, and plans) helpful to stakeholders in improving healthcare system preparedness and resilience.
Severe Weather 101 | NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory: Explains what a tornado is and how to identify a tornado or dangerous storm.
Severe Weather | Ready.gov: Preparing for and staying safe during severe weather.
Responding to Natural Disasters and Extreme Weather | Emergency Preparedness | CDC: The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has created a document communicating key messages associated to the multiple hazards related to storms, floods, and hurricanes. The document is available for employers, emergency response and recovery workers, and volunteers.
High Wind Safety | American Red Cross: Learn how to keep your home and family safe during high wind events.