The research team, led by Yineng Chen and Shao Lin of the University at Albany, State University of New York, drew on an unusually rich set of data sources to untangle the relationship between flooding, blackouts, and heart disease. Hospitalization records came from the Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System, a comprehensive database covering patients across New York State from 2005 through 2021. Flood events were identified using the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Storm Events Database, while power outage information was supplied by the New York Department of Public Service. To account for other factors that could confound the association, the researchers incorporated fine particulate matter concentrations modeled with the Community Multiscale Air Quality system, meteorological variables from the New York State Mesonet and the Integrated Surface Database, and a suite of time-varying factors such as seasonality and long-term trends.

Methodologically, the study relied on distributed lag nonlinear models embedded within a quasi-Poisson regression framework, a statistical approach widely used in environmental epidemiology to capture how health risks change over time after an exposure and how those risks may behave nonlinearly with increasing hazard intensity. This design allowed the team to estimate the independent effect of flooding, the independent effect of power outages, and the joint effect of their co-occurrence, all while adjusting for air pollution, weather conditions, and temporal patterns that might otherwise masquerade as hazard effects. The researchers also examined hospital length of stay, treatment costs, comorbid conditions, and threshold levels of exposure, and they compared the periods before and during the COVID-19 pandemic to see whether the pandemic altered the hazard-health relationship.

The headline result is deceptively simple: co-occurrence matters. Flooding and power outages were each independently associated with hospitalizations for total cardiovascular disease and for specific cardiovascular subtypes, but the association was strongest when both hazards occurred together, with the highest relative risk reaching 1.09 (95 percent confidence interval: 1.03 to 1.15). In epidemiological terms, that corresponds to roughly a nine percent increase in cardiovascular hospitalization risk during compound events compared with periods without these hazards. While a nine percent increase may sound modest, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, and even small proportional increases translate into substantial numbers of excess hospital admissions when large populations are exposed, as they are during major storms that knock out power across entire regions.

Equally important are the thresholds the study identified. Cardiovascular risk rose when flooding persisted for more than three days, and when power outages affected more than 15.3 percent of a community. These cutoffs provide concrete, actionable benchmarks for emergency managers: rather than treating all flood and outage events as equally threatening, preparedness efforts can be concentrated on events that cross these critical windows. The researchers also found that flood and outage events were associated with longer hospital stays and higher levels of comorbidity among admitted patients, suggesting that compound hazards not only push more people into hospitals but may also produce more complicated, resource-intensive admissions.

The burden was not distributed evenly across the population. Stratified analyses revealed stronger joint effects for several cardiovascular subtypes, including hypertension, stroke, and ischemic heart disease. The risks were also amplified among people over 65 years of age, individuals enrolled in Medicaid or lacking insurance coverage, and residents of rural communities. These patterns align with what is known about vulnerability to disasters: older adults are more likely to have preexisting cardiovascular conditions and to depend on electricity-powered medical devices, while rural communities often face longer emergency response times, older infrastructure, and fewer backup resources. Socioeconomically disadvantaged groups, meanwhile, may have less capacity to evacuate, stockpile medications, or weather prolonged outages safely, a disparity documented in prior research on disaster preparedness among older adults.

Season and timing mattered as well. The joint effects of flooding and outages were strongest during winter and spring, seasons when cold temperatures place additional strain on the cardiovascular system. Blood pressure is known to rise in colder conditions, and the physiological stress of a cold, dark, flooded home can compound that burden. Winter storms in the Northeast are also notorious for triggering both flooding and widespread outages simultaneously, meaning the compound-exposure scenario the study examines is not a rare curiosity but a recurring feature of the regional hazard landscape. River flood seasonality in the northeastern United States, concentrated in these colder months, helps explain why the overlap is so common.

The pandemic comparison added a further layer of complexity. The joint occurrence of flooding and power outages showed a larger risk of cardiovascular hospitalization during the COVID-19 period than before it, although the difference was not statistically significant. The authors note that the pandemic disrupted routine healthcare utilization, altered hospital admission patterns, and may have increased the underlying cardiovascular vulnerability of the population, since COVID-19 itself has been linked to cardiovascular complications. The direction of the finding, even without statistical significance, hints that health systems under strain may be less able to absorb the shocks of compound environmental hazards, a concern that resonates as climate change intensifies extreme weather while health systems face recurring pressures.

What makes this study particularly valuable is its shift in perspective. Most environmental health research examines one hazard at a time, estimating the risk of floods here and outages there, as if the world kindly separated its disasters. In reality, the same severe storm that inundates a neighborhood frequently severs its power lines, and the two hazards interact with human physiology and healthcare infrastructure in overlapping ways. Flooding can trigger acute psychological stress, physical exertion during evacuation and cleanup, exposure to cold water, and disruption of medication supplies. Power outages disable home medical devices such as oxygen concentrators and ventilators, knock out traffic signals and emergency services, and force vulnerable people into cold or unsafe conditions. When these mechanisms operate simultaneously, the physiological and logistical stresses multiply, and the new findings suggest the resulting hospitalization risk exceeds what either hazard alone would predict.

The authors argue that their results carry direct implications for emergency management. Identifying susceptible populations, including older adults, Medicaid beneficiaries, uninsured individuals, and rural residents, allows public health agencies to prioritize outreach, backup power for electricity-dependent patients, and early prescription refills before forecasted storms. Deploying preparedness efforts within the critical time windows the study identifies, such as the first days of prolonged flooding and outages crossing the 15.3 percent coverage threshold, could mitigate a meaningful share of the excess cardiovascular burden. As climate change drives more frequent and more intense extreme weather events, the compound-hazard framing may become not just an analytical refinement but a necessity for protecting the millions of people whose hearts bear the hidden costs of a warming, stormier world.

Subject of Research: The joint effects of co-occurring floods and power outages on cardiovascular disease hospitalizations in New York State

Article Title: A dangerous combination: how co-occurring floods and blackouts increase cardiovascular hospitalizations

Article References: Chen, Y., Tangang, R., Sun, Y., Zaloom, S., Guo, L., Song, S., Noor, M. I., Friedman, S., Wang, J., Bassill, N. P., Wang, T.-S., & Lin, S. (2026). A dangerous combination: how co-occurring floods and blackouts increase cardiovascular hospitalizations. Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41370-026-00977-1

Image Credits: AI Generated

DOI: 10.1038/s41370-026-00977-1

Keywords: flooding, power outages, cardiovascular disease, hospitalizations, extreme weather, compound hazards, environmental epidemiology, New York State, hypertension, stroke, ischemic heart disease, vulnerable populations

Power outages frequently coincide with severe weather events. These outages have profound economic and health implications, as interruption of power supply can hinder access to critical services, including medical facilities that rely on electricity for life-support systems, and residential heating or cooling that protects vulnerable populations during extreme temperature conditions. The financial toll associated with widespread outages, compounded by severe weather, can escalate rapidly, leading to billions in losses and significant disruptions to everyday life.

In conducting their research, Do and colleagues analyzed a wealth of data collected from over 1,600 counties in the United States between 2018 and 2020. The focal point of their investigation was the occurrence of large-scale power outages that lasted more than eight hours, in relation to a variety of severe weather incidents such as hurricanes, heavy rainfall, extreme heat waves, and wildfires. Alarmingly, their findings reveal that nearly 75% of the counties surveyed experienced significant power outages during or immediately following severe weather events.

The investigation also highlighted that over 50% of the examined counties faced outages that coincided with multiple severe weather occurrences simultaneously. This simultaneous occurrence of such events poses an additional challenge to emergency management and response planning. Thus, as climate change continues to worsen conditions, the ability of communities to effectively prepare for, respond to, and recover from these compounded events becomes increasingly vital.

A key finding of the study centers on the way in which specific types of severe weather are linked to power outages. The data suggested that outages were most commonly associated with severe precipitation and extreme heat. However, these events are not uniformly distributed across the country. For instance, precipitation-related outages were more prevalent in the Northeast United States, while heat-driven outages were observed more frequently in the Southeast. The study further pointed out a rising trend in co-occurring power outages and wildfires, especially noted in the coastal regions of the West from 2018 to 2020.

The researchers acknowledged a significant limitation in their work—the unavailability of reliable data from certain U.S. regions, such as the Southwest and the Mountain West, which creates gaps in understanding the full scope of how severe weather and power outages intersect in those areas. This knowledge gap underscores the necessity for further research, particularly aimed at generating richer data about these associations and simulating the potential combinations of severe weather in diverse geographic locations. Such future studies would be instrumental in devising more effective strategies to mitigate risks associated with power outages during severe weather events.

In paraphrasing the insights of first author Vivian Do, it is clear that comprehending the dynamics of power outages that occur concurrently with severe weather phenomena is essential. This understanding is crucial for developing proactive strategies aimed at minimizing the deleterious societal impacts as climate conditions evolve and the electrical grid ages. Moreover, anticipating where and when these outages might happen promotes better preparedness.

As we delve deeper into the realities of a warming planet, the robust evidence outlined in the study paints a stark picture. The growing frequency and intensity of severe weather events are not mere statistics but harbingers of an urgent need for action. The implications of this research extend beyond mere academia—they shape policy decisions, emergency management frameworks, and community readiness initiatives meant to confront the dual threats posed by climate change and infrastructure vulnerabilities.

This study serves as a catalytic piece of research that encourages further discourse on climate resilience and the intricacies of power management. The findings compel policymakers, utility companies, and communities to rethink their approaches to disaster response and resource allocation. It is essential to prioritize investments in the electrical grid to ensure it can withstand the increasing strain posed by severe weather events. In doing so, we not only protect our infrastructure but also safeguard public health and economic vitality.

In summary, the work of Do and colleagues provides a pivotal look into the links between severe weather and power outages, showcasing the urgent need for targeted research and resilient infrastructure planning. As the climate continues to shift in unpredictable ways, understanding these relationships will be key to fostering safer, more resilient communities.

By bridging the gap between research and its practical implications, this study underlines the critical role of a coordinated response among stakeholders—from scientists to community planners—that is necessary to counter the existential threats posed by climate change and its cascading effects on essential services.

Through this lens, it becomes evident that the findings of this research are not just localized or momentary issues. Instead, they echo a larger, global crisis. The urgency to adapt can no longer be dismissed and must become central to both local and national discourse. The future depends on how well we heed the warnings and evidence presented to us today.

Subject of Research: Power outages and severe weather events
Article Title: Spatiotemporal patterns of individual and multiple simultaneous severe weather events co-occurring with power outages in the United States, 2018–2020
News Publication Date: 22-Jan-2025
Web References: PLOS Climate article
References: Do V, Wilner LB, Flores NM, McBrien H, Northrop AJ, Casey JA (2025) Spatiotemporal patterns of individual and multiple simultaneous severe weather events co-occurring with power outages in the United States, 2018–2020. PLOS Clim 4(1): e0000523.
Image Credits: PLOS Climate
Keywords: severe weather, power outages, climate change, economic impact, community preparedness, electrical grid resilience

Across the United States, severe weather events have been shown to precipitate large-scale power outages, leading to significant socioeconomic repercussions. These outages can have dire implications, particularly in times when power is essential for the operation of medical equipment, heating, air conditioning, and other critical services. The ongoing climate crisis serves to exacerbate these challenges, as it increases both the severity and frequency of severe weather events, necessitating a better understanding of the patterns and distributions of power outages to inform community preparedness and resource management.

In this meticulous research effort, the authors, led by Vivian Do, a PhD candidate specializing in environmental health sciences, utilized comprehensive data sets spanning from 2018 to 2020. This extensive investigation focused on over 1,600 counties nationwide, evaluating the correlation between severe weather events—such as rain, snow, extreme heat, intense cold, cyclones, and wildfires—and significant power outages that lasted eight hours or longer. The findings underscored that approximately three-quarters of the analyzed counties experienced major power outages coinciding with severe weather occurrences during the observed three-year span. Alarmingly, over half of these counties dealt with outages associated with multiple simultaneous weather events, illustrating a complex and interlinked system of vulnerability.

The research highlighted that power outages were most frequently linked to severe precipitation and extreme heat, revealing significant regional disparities in the distribution of these outages. For instance, counties in the Northeast U.S. were more prone to precipitation-related outages, whereas heat-related outages were predominantly observed in the Southeast. Additionally, the researchers noted a growing trend of co-occurring outages and wildfires along the West Coast, marking a worrying development that raises important questions about the management of electrical grids in wildfire-prone areas.

Despite the insightful findings presented by Do and her colleagues, it is important to acknowledge the limitations in the data. In particular, reliable data was not uniformly available for all counties, creating gaps in information that left regions such as the Southwest and Mountain West less represented in the study. In light of these limitations, the authors advocate for further research that can provide additional data, as well as realistic simulations of severe weather combinations across diverse geographies, to enhance the capability of municipalities to construct effective mitigation and response strategies.

The implications of this research extend beyond merely identifying problem areas; they delve into the broader societal importance of understanding the interdependencies between infrastructure and environmental factors. In an era when the electrical grid is becoming increasingly antiquated, and as severe weather continues to pose escalating threats, strategies that preemptively address the intersection of severe weather challenges and power failures are crucial. The careful mapping of outage patterns, as highlighted in this study, is fundamental for designing robust systems geared toward minimizing public health risks and economic losses.

Vivian Do emphasized the practical importance of recognizing these patterns, stating: “Power outages frequently co-occur with severe weather events like heavy precipitation, tropical cyclones, or multiple severe weather events simultaneously.” Understanding when and where these phenomena will likely converge is vital for developing strategic responses that can effectively reduce adverse societal consequences. This becomes even more urgent as communities adapt to the realities of a changing climate.

Furthermore, as climate models predict increasingly dramatic shifts in weather patterns, researchers and policymakers must work in tandem to preemptively address the vulnerabilities associated with energy dependence. These insights could be incorporated into future revisions of national response frameworks, ensuring that contingencies are established to protect critical infrastructure in times of weather-related crises. This can also enhance public awareness and preparedness initiatives, ensuring that communities are equipped to handle power loss and its cascading effects.

The study received financial backing from several prominent institutions, including the National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences and the National Institute on Aging, underscoring the broad interest in understanding the health impacts of environmental hazards. Importantly, the funding bodies had no direct influence over the study’s design, data collection, or the conclusions drawn, thereby ensuring the integrity of the research process.

As climate change continues to reshape the landscape, studies such as this one serve as crucial tools for informing public health policies, energy conservation measures, and community resilience planning. The convergence of severe weather events and power outages is not merely an infrastructure issue; it encapsulates broader societal challenges, including equity in public health and the necessity for robust disaster preparedness systems.

As communities across the U.S. grapple with these evolving threats, the findings of this research underscore the imperative of a collective response to strengthen resilience against the dual challenges posed by climate change and electrical grid vulnerabilities. This holistic approach will be essential for safeguarding public health, ensuring equitable access to vital services, and reinforcing the electric grid against the increased strains brought on by an unpredictable climate.

In conclusion, understanding the shifting relationship between severe weather and power outages is not only a scholarly endeavor but a fundamental necessity for fostering community health and safety in an era where extreme weather becomes the norm rather than the exception. The integration of science-informed strategies into community planning will be essential for minimizing disruption and safeguarding the well-being of populations at risk.

Subject of Research: Relationship between severe weather events and power outages.
Article Title: Spatiotemporal patterns of individual and multiple simultaneous severe weather events co-occurring with power outages in the United States.
News Publication Date: 22-Jan-2025.
Web References: PLOS Climate
References: Not provided.
Image Credits: Not provided.

Keywords: Climate data, Environmental health, Electrical power generation, Weather.