How Weather Causes Injury Across Different Parts of the U.S.

Weather makes great small talk, but it’s a real risk factor for injuries. Depending on where you live, the geography and climate shapes the kinds of hazards you face every day. From icy sidewalks in Upstate New York to hurricanes in Florida, environmental conditions influence everything from slips and falls to respiratory distress and heat-related illness.

April 30 is America's PreparAthon Day, a day focused on understanding which disasters could happen in our communities, knowing what to do to be safe and mitigate injury and damage, and taking action to increase preparedness and enhance injury prevention. So let’s focus on weather and break down how different regions of the United States experience weather-related injuries.

Snow & Ice: Midwest and Northeast

I have lived in entire life in the Midwest, In the winter we get a lot of snow and a lot of ice. This leads to several common injury patterns:

• Slips and falls on icy sidewalks (often leading to fractures or head injuries).

• Car accidents due to snow, reduced visibility, or black ice.

• Overexertion injuries from shoveling snow, including back strains and even heart attacks.

Snow and ice also brings several winter sports, such as snowmobiling, sledding, and skiing. Those activities also carry risk of injury.

Injury Prevention:

Improve traction and awareness: Wear shoes or boots with good grip. Take slow, short steps and keep your hands free to help with balance. Walk like a penguin.

Be mindful of road and sidewalk conditions: When the roads are icy or visibility is poor, stay home. Apply salt or sand to sidewalks, driveways, and steps before and after storms to reduce ice buildup and prevent slips.

Use safe body mechanics: When shoveling snow, lift small amounts, bend at your knees (not your back), and take frequent breaks to avoid strain or overexertion injuries.

Use protective equipment: Wear a helmet when engaging in outdoor sports. Be aware of your surroundings when sledding and snowmobiling to avoid collisions.

Thunderstorms & Tornados: Middle US

The middle part of the country experiences thunderstorms and tornados in the spring and summer. These can cause significant damage as well as bodily injury:

• Flying debris, such as wood, metal, and glass, can cause severe blunt force trauma or penetrating wounds. Glass breakage from shattered windows creates sharp projectiles that can cause deep cuts and eye injuries.

• Structural damage/collapse of buildings and homes can lead to crush injuries, fractures, and entrapment.

• Strong winds can knock down trees and power lines, striking people or creating electrocution hazards.

• Fast-moving water can cause flash floods, sweeping people or vehicles away, causing drowning or traumatic injuries.

Injury Prevention:

Seek proper shelter early: Go to a sturdy building at the first warning. During tornadoes, move to a basement or small interior room on the lowest level, away from windows.

Avoid high-risk environments: Stay out of floodwaters, avoid open fields, and never shelter under trees or near downed power lines.

Protect yourself from debris: Cover your head and neck (with arms, a helmet, or a mattress if available) and stay low to reduce injury from flying or falling objects.

Hurricanes & Flooding: South and East Coast

In states along the southern and eastern coastline, hurricanes are an annual threat. The US typically experiences multiple hurricanes each year, but not all hurricanes make landfall or cause damage. However, even weaker storms or tropical storms can still cause flooding and wind damage. The most common injuries include:

• Injuries from flying debris during hurricanes or high winds can cause blunt force trauma. Shattered glass and storm debris can cause lacerations and puncture wounds, especially common during storm cleanup.

• Drowning or water-related injuries during floods. Floodwater also can cause infections and illness when it contains sewage, chemicals, and bacteria.

• Electrocution from downed power lines or water carrying electrical current.

Injury Prevention:

Evacuate or shelter safely: Follow evacuation orders early; if staying, shelter in a reinforced interior room away from windows and secure doors and shutters to reduce injury from debris.

Avoid floodwater and electrical hazards: Never walk or drive through floodwaters, and stay far from downed power lines or anything that could be energized by water.

Prepare and use protective measures: Bring in loose outdoor items, use sturdy footwear and gloves during cleanup, and keep emergency supplies (flashlights, first aid kit) to reduce injury risk before and after the storm.

Heat & Wildfires: West

In the west, heat and wildfires can direct and indirect harm:

• Burns from direct contact with flames can cause anything minor burns to life-threatening tissue damage.

• Respiratory issues due to smoke inhalation and poor air quality, leading to respiratory distress, especially for people with asthma or heart conditions.

• Thick smoke can reduce, increasing the risk of car crashes and disorientation during evacuations.

Injury Prevention:

Follow evacuation orders early: Leave promptly when advised and have an emergency plan and “go bag” ready.

Reduce smoke exposure: Stay indoors when possible, use air filtration if available, and wear a mask (like an N95) if you must go outside.

Keep cool and stay hydrated: Drink water regularly and use shade or air conditioning. Know the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke.

Rip Currents and Storm Surges: Coastal Areas

Along coastlines, rip currents are powerful, narrow channels of water that move quickly away from shore. While less common, they can cause injury:

• Drowning, especially for inexperienced swimmers who panic and try to fight the current.

• Strong waves or storm surges can cause injuries when people are carried outward and hit rocks or sandbars.

Injury Prevention:

Swim near lifeguards and heed warnings: Choose beaches with lifeguard supervision and pay attention to posted flags or advisories about rip currents.

Don’t fight the current: If caught, stay calm, float or tread water, and swim parallel to the shore until you’re out of the current—then angle back in.

Avoid risky conditions: Stay out of the water during rough surf, after storms, or when waves are breaking unevenly—common signs that rip currents may be present.

The Bigger Picture: Injury Prevention

Weather-related injuries aren’t random; they’re deeply tied to geography and season. A blizzard in Minnesota and a forest fire in California may seem worlds apart, but both can lead to serious harm if people aren’t prepared.

Understanding your local climate isn’t just about comfort. It’s about safety. Awareness, injury preparation, and respect for weather conditions can dramatically reduce injury risk, not only in the communities in which we live, but also in the communities we visit.