A new study published in the journal Nature reveals that hurricanes and tropical storms in the U.S. result in significant long-term health impacts, causing between 7,000 and 11,000 excess deaths per storm over a period of up to 15 years. This far exceeds the officially recorded average of 24 direct deaths per storm. Researchers found that these storms have contributed to between 3.6 million and 5.2 million excess deaths since 1930, more than all deaths from motor vehicle accidents in the same period. The study highlights the hidden toll of economic and social disruptions caused by storms, which exacerbate chronic health conditions and affect vulnerable populations disproportionately. Authors Solomon Hsiang and Rachel Young emphasize the need to rethink public health responses and policies post-disaster, given the extended and severe impacts of these weather events.