Thousands of Americans Left Without Power After Storms; Expert Warns of Physical and Mental Health Effects

After a series of devastating storms swept across the United States, leaving a trail of destruction from coast to coast, thousands of Americans find themselves without power. The aftermath of these severe weather events has had dire consequences for many individuals, with some still struggling to cope.

Power Outages in Oregon

According to poweroutage.us, a website that tracks power outages nationwide, Oregon is particularly affected, with over 91,000 customers still without power as of Friday afternoon. Local reports indicate that some have been enduring nearly a week without electricity and heat.

The Health Risks of Power Outages

While power outages may be seen by some as mere disruptions to daily life, they can have significant physical and mental health effects. Dr. Joan Casey, an assistant professor in the University of Washington’s department of environmental and occupational health sciences, emphasizes the life-threatening nature of the situation for certain individuals.

“While it may inconvenience some, power outages pose a life-threatening issue for others, and we need to prioritize the safety of those whose lives are at risk,” says Dr. Casey.

High-Risk Individuals

Power outages can be particularly dangerous for those reliant on medical devices that require electricity, such as CPAP machines, electric wheelchairs, electric heart pumps, and oxygen concentrators.

A study conducted by Dr. Casey last year discovered thousands of outages lasting over eight hours, a significant period of time for medically high-risk groups to go without necessary equipment. “Eight hours is a relevant time period when we’re talking about health,” explains Dr. Casey. “After eight hours, the health of people in the affected area is much more likely to be compromised, especially for those relying on backup power batteries to sustain medical devices. Eight hours is approximately the limit for which those batteries can run without recharging.”

Challenges for Individuals with Respiratory Conditions

Power outages can present additional challenges for individuals with respiratory conditions, such as asthma. The loss of electricity may render their home nebulizers inoperable, or they may reside in buildings where non-functioning elevators force them to use stairs.

Instances like these may lead to a surge in hospital visits during power outages. In fact, a study conducted during the August 2003 blackout in New York City revealed a notable increase in respiratory-related hospitalizations.

Dangers of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

The aftermath of a power outage can also give rise to carbon monoxide poisoning if people resort to alternative sources for fuel and heat, such as running a car inside a garage. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that this can expose individuals to lethal levels of the odorless, colorless gas.

Mental Health Impact

Furthermore, power outages have significant mental health implications. Previous research has shown that individuals may experience heightened anxiety, stress, and reduced well-being due to the disruptions caused by these events.

“This is understandable,” asserts Dr. Casey. “The absence of heat and concerns about food spoilage or accessing healthcare can be incredibly distressing.”

“Given that power outages often coincide with other severe weather events, such as extreme winter storms, it does not surprise me that people experience these intense emotions during such times,” she adds.

Climate Change and Increasing Outages

As climate change exacerbates and leads to more extreme weather events like severe storms, wildfires, heatwaves, and hurricanes, the frequency of power outages is likely to escalate. Data from non-profit organization Climate Central indicates that approximately 83% of major outages in the United States between 2000 and 2021 were weather-related.

Dr. Casey highlights another climate change-related factor: the increased electricity consumption necessary to combat these events. For instance, higher air conditioning usage during heatwaves could potentially overwhelm electric grids, causing shutdowns as a result of overheating.

The Need for Action

Dr. Casey emphasizes that the most effective way to address this issue is by focusing on slowing climate change. This includes improving building infrastructure to reduce reliance on electricity for heating and cooling and embracing renewable energy sources.

“Ultimately, this is not a problem that can be solved at an individual level; it requires societal solutions,” urges Dr. Casey.