Submission Type
Poster
Start Date
April 2020
Abstract
The connection between flooding and other extreme water-related weather events with water-borne illnesses is a well-documented issue. Rochester, NY, which lies in the Genesee River valley, receives a significant amount of precipitation due to its proximity to Lake Ontario. Flooding, due to melting snow in the spring and general thunderstorms in the summer, caused the Genesee river to flood often before the construction of the Mt. Morris dam in 1948. Utilizing cemetery records from Mt. Hope cemetery in Rochester, NY, this study explores whether Rochester’s history of flooding had any effect on water-borne or vector-borne illness deaths. The years 1840 to 1915 accounts for 8 flooding and extreme rain events. Using the cemetery records, death rates from water or vector borne illnesses in the four weeks following these flood events will be calculated and comparisons made with similar periods that did not experience extensive rainfall or flooding. As climate change continues to increase rates of flooding and extreme weather events, historic Rochester and its rapid health infrastructure growth in the mid-late 19th century offers insight into how modern-day developing nations at risk for extreme weather events may benefit from social programs or infrastructure improvements. Also important is highlighting which diseases put communities most at risk following extreme water-related events, and how to better prepare for these outbreaks.
Recommended Citation
Stitt, Isabelle, "239— The Effect of Flooding on Water-borne and Vector-borne Illnesses in Historic Rochester, NY" (2020). GREAT Day Posters. 30.
https://knightscholar.geneseo.edu/great-day-symposium/great-day-2020/posters-2020/30
Included in
239— The Effect of Flooding on Water-borne and Vector-borne Illnesses in Historic Rochester, NY
The connection between flooding and other extreme water-related weather events with water-borne illnesses is a well-documented issue. Rochester, NY, which lies in the Genesee River valley, receives a significant amount of precipitation due to its proximity to Lake Ontario. Flooding, due to melting snow in the spring and general thunderstorms in the summer, caused the Genesee river to flood often before the construction of the Mt. Morris dam in 1948. Utilizing cemetery records from Mt. Hope cemetery in Rochester, NY, this study explores whether Rochester’s history of flooding had any effect on water-borne or vector-borne illness deaths. The years 1840 to 1915 accounts for 8 flooding and extreme rain events. Using the cemetery records, death rates from water or vector borne illnesses in the four weeks following these flood events will be calculated and comparisons made with similar periods that did not experience extensive rainfall or flooding. As climate change continues to increase rates of flooding and extreme weather events, historic Rochester and its rapid health infrastructure growth in the mid-late 19th century offers insight into how modern-day developing nations at risk for extreme weather events may benefit from social programs or infrastructure improvements. Also important is highlighting which diseases put communities most at risk following extreme water-related events, and how to better prepare for these outbreaks.
Comments
Sponsored by Kristi Krumrine