Morbidity and mortality associated with Hurricane Floyd--North Carolina, September-October 1999

Abstract

On September 16, 1999, Hurricane Floyd, a storm extending 300 miles with sustained winds of 96-110 miles per hour, made landfall in North Carolina, dropping up to 20 inches of rain in eastern regions of the state. Rain from Hurricane Floyd, combined with rains from Hurricane Dennis beginning on August 30 and Hurricane Irene on October 17, caused extensive flooding along the Neuse, Tar, Roanoke, Lumbar, and Cape Fear rivers, affecting an estimated 2.1 million persons. This report presents data about injuries, illnesses, and deaths during and following Hurricane Floyd in North Carolina and identifies the leading cause of death as drowning involving occupants of motor vehicles trapped in flood waters.