Death Map Study Shows Greatest Natural Disaster Threats Nationwide

A peer reviewed in the International Journal of Health Geographicsstudy reveales the most dangerous places in the country to live in relation to natural disasters. The study examined natural history disasters from 1970 to 2004 and found that everyday weather hazards such as hot and cold temperatures accounted for the greatest number of deaths nationwide. The study reveals that the highest levels of natural disaster mortality exist in the Mississippi Valley, northern Great Plains, and western mountain region. The lowest levels of natural disaster mortality can found the Northeast and Midwest. The results were based on information nationwide down to the county level.

The Mississippi Valley was found at greatest risk for floods, heats, and tornadoes. In the Great Plains, both extreme heat, cold, and drought took the greatest toll. In the western Mountain region, the greatest dangers came from winter weather.

"This work will enable research and emergency management practitioners to examine hazard deaths through a geographic lens," said researcher Susan Cutter told Fox News Livescience "Using this as a tool to identify areas with higher than average hazard deaths can justify allocation of resources to these areas with the goal of reducing loss of life."

The study and accompanying maps and charts suggest that it is the most mundane weather events that take the greatest toll, despite the attention given to catastrophic events. According to the study, winter weather in addition to summer heat, general "severe" weather, and droughts account for approximately 57% of these deaths. Floods, lightning, and tornadoes account for another 37%. Major disasters such as coastal events, earthquakes, wildfire, hurricanes, and tropical storms only account for about 6% of natural disasters combined.