DEATHS RELATED TO HURRICANE RITA AND MASS EVACUATION

Abstract

PURPOSE: A massive evacuation of more than 2.5 million people along the Texas gulf coast was initiated in preparation for Hurricane Rita in September 2005. The natural disaster narrowly missed major population centers causing 10 billion dollars in damage but with only a few direct deaths related to the hurricane. Most of the 111 deaths that occured were results of the evacuation process. Analysis of these deaths may improve evacuation policies and prepare health care facilities for future natural disasters.