Hurricane Harvey took greatest toll on mental health, registry finds

Baylor College of Medicine associate director for cancer prevention and population science Melissa Bondy and Dr. Cheryl Walker are using biological samples and special wristbands to determine what chemicals participants are coming into contact with in the wake of Hurricane Harvey for their Hurricane Harvey environmental health study Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2017 in Houston. ( Michael Ciaglo / Houston Chronicle) less Baylor College of Medicine associate director for cancer prevention and population science Melissa Bondy and Dr. Cheryl Walker are using biological samples and special wristbands to determine what chemicals ... more Photo: Michael Ciaglo, Houston Chronicle / Houston Chronicle Photo: Michael Ciaglo, Houston Chronicle / Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 6 Caption Close Hurricane Harvey took greatest toll on mental health, registry finds 1 / 6 Back to Gallery

Hurricane Harvey’s greatest lingering toll was on Houstonians’ mental health, according to initial findings from a first-of-its-kind registry that surveyed people about the 2017 event’s impact on their lives.

Nearly two-thirds of respondents to the registry, modeled on the one created in the aftermath of the 9/11 World Trade Center attacks, reported intrusive or unintended thoughts about the hurricane and its resulting flooding. That was a higher rate than physical symptoms reported by respondents.

The frequency was highest among those who experienced home damage, according to the registry.

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner presented some of the registry highlights at a news conference Thursday. The registry is a joint venture of Rice University, the Environmental Defense Fund and health departments from Houston and Harris, Montgomery, Fort Bend, Chambers and Victoria counties.

RELATED: Harvey registry will track storm's health toll

“The data collected through the Hurricane Harvey Registry gives us valuable new insights into the effects of the storm on the well-being of all Houstonians,” said Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, who presented some of the highlights from the registry at a news conference Thursday. “Information about where people stayed after they were dislocated, how long they were out of their homes and the health effects they experienced will play a vital role in responding to the next storm.”

The registry, which launched in April 2018, thus far has collected information from more than 13,500 people about the 2017 hurricane’s effects on their physical and mental health and housing during and after the storm. Officials said it represents the experiences of more than 40,000 people.

SUBSCRIBERS: Get the complete story on HoustonChronicle.com

Officials are still seeking participants for the registry, the first to collect and maintain health information about environmental exposures following a major U.S. flooding event.

Harvey was one of the costliest and deadliest storms on record, inflicting $125 billion in damages and killing at least 103 people in Texas. It also exposed people to increased air pollution, water pollution, soil contamination, mold and other health risks.

todd.ackerman@chron.com

twitter.com/chronmed

NEWS WHEN YOU NEED IT: Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message | Sign up for breaking news alerts delivered to your email here.