When it Rains it Pours: Real-time Situational Awareness for Two Weather Emergencies in Connecticut

During 2011 Connecticut was impacted by two major weather events. The Hospital Emergency Department Syndromic Surveillance System (HEDSS) was utilized to provide real-time situational awareness during the response and recovery phases of both storm events. Increased emergency department utilization for carbon monoxide exposure, asthma, and hypothermia were observed. HEDSS data were likely an underestimation of true disease/injury in the community following the storm events. HEDSS should continue to be used, in conjunction with other existing surveillance systems, for near real-time situational monitoring during public health emergencies