The death toll from Hurricane Helene will continue to rise for more than a decade

The aftermath of Hurricane Helene is heartbreaking as more information comes to light from areas devastated by the storm. So far, over 160 deaths have been linked to the storm in the Southeast. Helene's death toll is expected to continue rising for more than a decade, according to a new study published in Nature.

The study examined the long-term effects of tropical storms on mortality in the United States, looking at 500 storms between 1930 and 2015. On average, each tropical storm resulted in an additional 7,000 to 11,000 deaths over the following 15 years.

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According to federal statistics, this long-term death toll is much higher than the average of 24 direct deaths from hurricanes.

This study involved many subtleties, but one way to establish a connection between a storm and a death years later was to use “typical mortality patterns” and “isolate anomalies” that were related only to the storm.

They found that storms disrupt medical care for chronic illnesses, cause financial stress through losses, have psychological impacts that lead to substance abuse or other medical problems, and undermine local government capacity to provide essential services.

For example, the stress caused by the destruction of family photos and personal items could cause a range of medical problems that would otherwise never have been a problem for a person. A person suffering from dementia could lose their vital routine. To pay for uninsured losses, people dip into their retirement funds earlier, damaging their future selves and potentially shortening their life expectancy.

Coverage of Helene's aftermath will fade from the news circuit in a matter of weeks, and it is up to people to believe that the storm is behind us. However, a study like this makes it clear that for those directly affected, moving on is not as easy as making a few repairs, cleaning up the street, and receiving a few thoughts and prayers.

Storms are deadly both now and for years to come as they come and go.