Average 31 people a year die in Wind Related Tree Failure Accidents

ON AVERAGE 31 PEOPLE A YEAR DIE IN  WIND RELATED TREE FAILURE ACCIDENTS

There were 407 deaths caused by wind related tree failures in the United States during 1995-2007, an average of 31 per year, according to data gathered and analyzed by Kent State University which examined the hazard posed by trees to human health and life during severe weather. The raw data came from the National Climatic Data Center which tracks information on storm fatalities in the United States. 

These tree & wind caused deaths occurred in 41 states and the District of Columbia. Of the 407 known deaths caused by wind-related tree failure during 1995-2007, the location of the victim (such as in vehicle, outdoors, in house) was known for all 407 deaths, age was known for 96 percent), and sex was known for 96 percent. 

Most (62 percent) of the victims were male with a median age of 44 years. Forty-four percent were struck by a fallen tree or limb while in a vehicle, 38 percent were struck outdoors, and 18 percent were struck while in their home – half in a mobile home and half in a frame house. 

Most incidents involved a single death, however, two fallen trees caused four deaths each. A falling tree struck a school bus carrying 10 children during a nonconvective high wind event in Queens, New York City, on March 6, 1997, killing four and injuring six. 

A tree fell on a vehicle in Yakima County, Washington, on August 26, 1997, killing all four occupants. This event is listed as a “high wind” in Storm Data, although other damaging events that day are listed as “thunderstorms.” The discussion below examines deaths based on the type of severe weather that caused the fallen trees.

Thunderstorm winds

The deaths occurred in 11 states from Texas to Vermont and all occurred within 200 miles of the coast. North Carolina had the most deaths with 14. 

Deaths occurred only in the months of July through October, with a peak (58 percent) in September, corresponding with the tropical cyclone season in the North Atlantic. Trees may be especially vulnerable to uprooting or breakage during the winds of tropical cyclones due to the heavy rains that may weaken the soil strength. An additional factor is the existence of dense tree canopies on deciduous trees during the tropical cyclone season. The wind force placed on the canopies increase the likelihood of tree failure.