Hurricane Season Safety: Preventing Injuries Before and After the Storm

Hurricane season in Miami and across South Florida is a reality that residents face every year. While much of the focus is on property damage and emergency supplies, one often overlooked aspect of hurricane preparedness is personal safety and injury prevention. The aftermath of a storm is not just about clearing debris and restoring power—it’s also about protecting yourself and your loved ones from preventable injuries that can send you straight to urgent care or the emergency room.

This article explores the most common hurricane-related injuries, practical strategies to avoid them, and why urgent care clinics like OrthoNOW are uniquely positioned to provide rapid, specialized treatment when accidents do occur.

Understanding the Injury Risks During Hurricane Season

Hurricanes bring high winds, heavy rains, flooding, and widespread power outages. Each of these creates unique hazards for residents and emergency responders. According to Recent multi-state analyses (including Florida) show clear spikes in injury-related emergency department (ED) admissions immediately after landfall: in counties directly in the storm’s path, adults 65+ experienced a 53.2% increase during the week of the hurricane, with children 0–17 also rising 22.6% that week and 15.6% and 26.3% in weeks 1–2 after. (HCUP Statistical Brief #267).

In post‑hurricane ED surveillance, the most common injury types are abrasions, lacerations, and cuts, often from falls/slips/trips or being struck by objects, with most injury visits occurring within the first 3 months after a hurricane. (Frasqueri‑Quintana et al., 2020)., the most common injuries include:

Lacerations and puncture wounds from flying debris or sharp objects in floodwaters.
Slip and fall injuries due to wet, uneven, or obstructed surfaces.
Musculoskeletal injuries such as sprains, strains, or fractures from lifting heavy debris.
Carbon monoxide poisoning from improper generator use.
Heat-related illnesses during post-storm recovery when air conditioning and clean water are unavailable.

Preventing Injuries Before the Storm Hits

Preparation doesn’t just protect your home—it protects your body. By taking proactive measures, you can minimize risk when the storm makes landfall.

1. Secure Outdoor Areas

Store or tie down patio furniture, grills, and loose objects that could become projectiles.
Trim trees and remove weak branches that may fall.
Evidence from Hurricane Sandy clean‑up shows how unsecured debris and falling limbs translate into injuries: in New Jersey ED data, 44.6% of 698 tree‑related injuries were “struck‑by” (e.g., branches), and 33.7% were chainsaw‑related; the risk of tree‑related injury was 1.67× higher in the quarter immediately after landfall. (Marshall et al., 2018).

2. Stock Up on Medical Supplies

Keep a first aid kit fully stocked with bandages, antiseptic wipes, splints, and over-the-counter pain relievers.
Ensure you have enough prescription medication for at least 7–10 days.
Add a flashlight, gloves, and disinfectant to your kit for safe wound care.

3. Plan for Power Outages Safely

If you own a generator, make sure it’s in proper working order and that you know how to operate it outdoors.
Avoid using candles; rely on battery-powered lanterns to reduce fire risk.
During Florida’s 2004 hurricane season, there were 6 deaths and 167 nonfatal carbon monoxide (CO) poisonings; portable generators were implicated in 96.0% of nonfatal incidents and in all fatal incidents. Among generator‑related incidents, 34.0% occurred in garages and 12.8% inside homes; 66.5% of patients arrived at EDs between 5:00–10:00 a.m. after overnight exposure. (CDC MMWR, 2005). To prevent CO accumulation, the CDC advises keeping generators at least 20 ft from doors, windows, and vents. (CDC Generator Safety).

4. Prepare Physically

If you anticipate heavy lifting post-storm, practice safe lifting techniques: bend your knees, not your back.
Assign roles to family members ahead of time to avoid overexertion.

Staying Safe During the Storm

When the hurricane arrives, your primary goal is to shelter safely in place or evacuate if directed.

1. Shelter in a Safe Space

Stay away from windows and glass doors.
Designate a safe interior room on the lowest level of your home.
Keep shoes on in case you need to move quickly over debris.

2. Monitor Alerts

Use a NOAA weather radio or mobile alerts to stay updated on changing conditions.
Follow official evacuation orders promptly.

3. Avoid Risky Behavior

Do not go outside “to check” on the storm.
Avoid unnecessary movement inside the home that could result in falls or collisions if the power goes out.

Post-Storm Recovery: Injury Hotspots

The danger doesn’t end when the winds die down. In fact, many injuries occur after the hurricane has passed.

1. Debris Cleanup

Wear heavy-duty gloves and boots.
Use proper tools like shovels, rakes, and wheelbarrows.
Never attempt to clear large trees or electrical wires on your own—call professionals.
Clean‑up is a major driver of injuries. After Hurricane Hugo (North Carolina), 2,090 patients were seen for hurricane‑related problems over two weeks, 1,833 (88%) for injuries, and nearly one‑third of wounds were chainsaw‑related. (Brewer et al., 1994). New Jersey’s post‑Sandy data similarly highlight struck‑by and chainsaw mechanisms. (Marshall et al., 2018).

2. Floodwaters

Avoid walking or driving through floodwaters—just six inches of moving water can knock you down.
Floodwaters often contain sharp debris, contaminants, and even live electrical wires.
After Hurricane Ian (2022), Florida recorded 38 vibriosis cases and 11 deaths; 33 (87%) were skin infections linked to storm‑surge/floodwater exposure in Lee and Collier counties. (CDC MMWR, 2023).

3. Generator and Carbon Monoxide Safety

Operate generators at least 20 feet away from windows, doors, and vents. (CDC Generator Safety).
Install battery-operated CO detectors if you plan to use a generator.
In Florida’s 2004 season analysis, 13 of 167 nonfatal CO‑poisoning patients (7.8%) were hospitalized; 43.7% received hyperbaric oxygen therapy. (CDC MMWR, 2005).

4. Heat and Dehydration

Drink plenty of bottled or boiled water.
Rest frequently if working outdoors.
Watch for symptoms of heat exhaustion: dizziness, confusion, nausea.

Common Hurricane-Related Injuries Treated at Urgent Care

Urgent care centers like OrthoNOW see a wide variety of storm-related injuries. The most frequent include:

Sprains, strains, and fractures from falls or lifting heavy objects.
Deep cuts and puncture wounds requiring stitches.
Shoulder, knee, and back injuries from repetitive cleanup motions.
Infections from untreated cuts exposed to floodwaters.

Hurricanes reliably drive short‑term spikes in injury care demand. Across 11 States (including Florida), injury‑related ED admissions rose sharply in direct‑path counties during the week of landfall—e.g., +53.2% in adults 65+, +22.6% in children—with elevated rates persisting into the following weeks. (HCUP Statistical Brief #267). In community surveys one week after Hurricane Sandy, the incidence of injury among respondents in inundation zones was 10.4%, and >70% of injured people reported two or more injuries. (CDC MMWR, 2014).

Why OrthoNOW is the Right Choice After a Storm

Not all urgent care centers are the same. OrthoNOW specializes in orthopedic and musculoskeletal care, making it the ideal destination for hurricane-related injuries that involve bones, joints, and muscles.

Advantages of OrthoNOW After a Hurricane:

Faster treatment than overcrowded ERs.
Specialized care for orthopedic injuries like fractures and dislocations.
On-site imaging such as X-rays and MRIs.
Expert staff trained in sports medicine and trauma recovery.

This specialization means you can avoid long waits and get back to your recovery faster.

Long-Term Safety Habits for Hurricane Season

Even when a storm isn’t imminent, building good habits can keep you safe year after year:

Create and update a family emergency plan annually.
Take community CPR and first-aid courses.
Invest in safe home modifications like hurricane shutters and reinforced garage doors.
Keep your property well-maintained to reduce storm debris hazards.

Preparedness behaviors can reduce injury risk. For example, following Hurricane Ike, a population study found lower personal injury incidence among evacuees (4.2%) compared with non‑evacuees (10.9%). (Norris et al., 2010).

Key Takeaways

Preparation prevents injuries—securing your property and stocking supplies can make a life-saving difference.
Post-storm risks are high—cleanup, floodwaters, and generator misuse account for many preventable injuries.
Urgent care is essential—specialized centers like OrthoNOW offer faster, more effective treatment for storm-related injuries.

Final Word: Protect Yourself, Not Just Your Home

When hurricane season arrives in Miami, protecting your home matters—but protecting your health and mobility matters more. Injuries sustained before, during, or after a storm can delay your recovery and put unnecessary strain on emergency rooms. By taking preventive steps and knowing where to turn for expert orthopedic care, you can weather the storm more safely.

OrthoNOW stands ready to serve the Miami community with specialized urgent care for bone, joint, and muscle injuries—helping you get back on your feet after the storm has passed.