Return to Answer

For other hurricanes, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) uses the definition "deaths as a direct result of the event" - e.g. the deaths caused by drowning, etc. occurring immediately during the event.

The official government death toll includes only deaths in which documentation of “hurricane-related” as the cause of death appears on the individual’s death certificate and does not account for indirect deaths, including from infectious disease outbreaks or lack of services (such as electricity, water, and medical care)

(Santos-Lozada & Howard, 2018)

The 3,000 figure is Puerto Rican death rate increase from any cause for 6 months following. While it may be an accurate figure in its own category, it isn’t the standard NOAA uses in calculating deaths from hurricanes.

Given this definition, the most accepted figures for deaths by Maria as defined by NOAA are less than 100. This isn't to downplay the loss, just making sure we are comparing the same things.

Blake, E. S., Landsea, C. W., & Gibney, E. J. (n.d.). NOAA Technical Memorandum NWS NHC-6, 49.

Santos-Lozada, A. R., & Howard, J. T. (2018). Use of Death Counts From Vital Statistics to Calculate Excess Deaths in Puerto Rico Following Hurricane Maria. JAMA. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2018.10929

For other hurricanes, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) uses the definition "deaths as a direct result of the event" - e.g. the deaths caused by drowning, etc. occurring immediately during the event.

The official government death toll includes only deaths in which documentation of “hurricane-related” as the cause of death appears on the individual’s death certificate and does not account for indirect deaths, including from infectious disease outbreaks or lack of services (such as electricity, water, and medical care)

(Santos-Lozada & Howard, 2018)

The 3,000 figure is Puerto Rican death rate increase from any cause for 6 months following, according to Ascertainment of the Excess Mortality from Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico.

Total excess mortality post-hurricane using the migration displacement scenario is estimated to be 2,975 (95% CI: 2,658-3,290) for the total study period of September 2017 through February 2018

While 3,000 may be an accurate figure in its own category, it isn’t the standard NOAA uses in calculating deaths from hurricanes.

Given this definition, the most accepted figures for deaths by Maria as defined by NOAA are less than 100. This isn't to downplay the loss, just making sure we are comparing the same things.

Blake, E. S., Landsea, C. W., & Gibney, E. J. (n.d.). NOAA Technical Memorandum NWS NHC-6, 49.

Santos-Lozada, A. R., & Howard, J. T. (2018). Use of Death Counts From Vital Statistics to Calculate Excess Deaths in Puerto Rico Following Hurricane Maria. JAMA. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2018.10929

For other hurricanes, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) uses the definition "deaths as a direct result of the event" - e.g. the deaths caused by drowning, etc. occurring immediately during the event. "The official government death toll includes only deaths in which documentation of “hurricane-related” as the cause of death appears on the individual’s death certificate and does not account for indirect deaths, including from infectious disease outbreaks or lack of services (such as electricity, water, and medical care)"(Santos-Lozada & Howard, 2018)

The 3,000 figure is Puerto Rican death rate increase from any cause for 6 months following. While it may be an accurate figure in its own category, it isn’t the standard NOAA uses in calculating deaths from hurricanes.

Given this definition, the most accepted figures for deaths by Maria as defined by NOAA are less than 100. This isn't to downplay the loss, just making sure we are comparing the same things.

Blake, E. S., Landsea, C. W., & Gibney, E. J. (n.d.). NOAA Technical Memorandum NWS NHC-6, 49.

Santos-Lozada, A. R., & Howard, J. T. (2018). Use of Death Counts From Vital Statistics to Calculate Excess Deaths in Puerto Rico Following Hurricane Maria. JAMA. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2018.10929

For other hurricanes, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) uses the definition "deaths as a direct result of the event" - e.g. the deaths caused by drowning, etc. occurring immediately during the event.

The official government death toll includes only deaths in which documentation of “hurricane-related” as the cause of death appears on the individual’s death certificate and does not account for indirect deaths, including from infectious disease outbreaks or lack of services (such as electricity, water, and medical care)

(Santos-Lozada & Howard, 2018)

The 3,000 figure is Puerto Rican death rate increase from any cause for 6 months following. While it may be an accurate figure in its own category, it isn’t the standard NOAA uses in calculating deaths from hurricanes.

Given this definition, the most accepted figures for deaths by Maria as defined by NOAA are less than 100. This isn't to downplay the loss, just making sure we are comparing the same things.

Blake, E. S., Landsea, C. W., & Gibney, E. J. (n.d.). NOAA Technical Memorandum NWS NHC-6, 49.

Santos-Lozada, A. R., & Howard, J. T. (2018). Use of Death Counts From Vital Statistics to Calculate Excess Deaths in Puerto Rico Following Hurricane Maria. JAMA. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2018.10929

For other hurricanes, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) uses the definition "deaths as a direct result of the event" - e.g. the deaths caused by drowning, etc. occurring immediately during the event.

The 3,000 figure is Puerto Rican death rate increase from any cause for 6 months following. While it may be an accurate figure in its own category, it isn’t the standard NOAA uses in calculating deaths from hurricanes.

Given this definition, the most accepted figures for deaths by Maria as defined by NOAA are less than 100. This isn't to downplay the loss, just making sure we are comparing the same things.

Blake, E. S., Landsea, C. W., & Gibney, E. J. (n.d.). NOAA Technical Memorandum NWS NHC-6, 49.

For other hurricanes, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) uses the definition "deaths as a direct result of the event" - e.g. the deaths caused by drowning, etc. occurring immediately during the event. "The official government death toll includes only deaths in which documentation of “hurricane-related” as the cause of death appears on the individual’s death certificate and does not account for indirect deaths, including from infectious disease outbreaks or lack of services (such as electricity, water, and medical care)"(Santos-Lozada & Howard, 2018)

The 3,000 figure is Puerto Rican death rate increase from any cause for 6 months following. While it may be an accurate figure in its own category, it isn’t the standard NOAA uses in calculating deaths from hurricanes.

Given this definition, the most accepted figures for deaths by Maria as defined by NOAA are less than 100. This isn't to downplay the loss, just making sure we are comparing the same things.

Blake, E. S., Landsea, C. W., & Gibney, E. J. (n.d.). NOAA Technical Memorandum NWS NHC-6, 49.

Santos-Lozada, A. R., & Howard, J. T. (2018). Use of Death Counts From Vital Statistics to Calculate Excess Deaths in Puerto Rico Following Hurricane Maria. JAMA. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2018.10929