This study aimed to examine the effects of flooding due to Typhoon Hagibis on the incidence of cardiovascular/cerebrovascular events in Nagano City.

The SAVE trial retrospectively enrolled 2426 patients hospitalized for cardiovascular/cerebrovascular disease in 5 hospitals in Nagano City from October 1 to December 31 in 2017 and 2018 (pre-disaster period) and in 2019 (post-disaster period). From these, 280 patients who were hospitalized in a district flooded in 2019 were recruited for the same period (October 12 to December 31) over the 3 years. The baseline characteristics of and the incidence of cardiovascular/cerebrovascular disease in cases from the flooded district in 2019 were compared with those of cases in the flooded district in 2017 and 2018.

The total number of patients with acute myocardial infarction did not differ significantly between the post- and pre-disaster periods. The incidence of unstable angina pectoris was significantly higher in 2019 (n = 4, 5.1%) than in 2017 and 2018 (n = 0, 0.0%) (P = 0.001).

This study did not prove the impact of flood due to a typhoon on the incidence of cardiovascular/cerebrovascular events.

From June through August 1993, extensive flooding in the Mississippi and Missouri River basins resulted in 50 deaths and 12 billion dollars [U.S.] in damages in nine Midwestern states. In Iowa (1990 population 2,777,000), the government declared all 99 counties Federal Disaster Areas. This study examines how this event impacted local emergency medical services (EMS).

All 797 registered prehospital ambulance, rescue, and first-response companies in Iowa received survey questionnaires. Two follow-up mailings were provided for non-responders.

A total of 468 EMS companies (59%) returned completed questionnaires. The geographic distribution ofresponders and non-responders was similar. Of the companies responding, 132 (28%) reported an impact on their operations from the flood disaster. The most frequently reported operational changes included the use of non-traditional vehicles, providing aid to regions outside usual service areas, and involvement in non-medical rescue operations.

A major flood provides unique challenges for emergency medical services. Cross-sectional surveys can identify areas of improvement for prehospital systems located in flood-prone areas. Results from this study provide a basis for constructing a more refined instrument to study future flood disasters.