With more double-digit negative windchills expected in the Quad Cities, the Rock Island County coroner is warning that winter weather can still be deadly — even when temperatures stay above zero.
Coroner Brian Gustafson said cold exposure can turn fatal within hours, especially if someone falls outdoors and isn’t found quickly. While his office has seen only a small number of weather-related deaths over the years, each case underscores how dangerous winter conditions can be.
He said several factors increase the risk, including living in homes without heat, staying in abandoned buildings or vehicles, and having medical or mental health issues that make it harder to get help.
A common misconception, Gustafson noted, is that hypothermia only strikes when temperatures plunge well below zero. In reality, it can be deadly even when temperatures are around 30 degrees, especially with wind, moisture, or limited mobility.
“Any night when it’s 30, whether it’s 30 degrees above zero or 30 below zero, you can succumb to hypothermia,” Gustafson said. “It’s a very serious and wrong way to go.”
He urged residents to stay connected and look out for vulnerable neighbors, particularly older adults or people with mobility challenges. Letting someone know before heading out in winter weather and checking in on others can make a life-saving difference when temperatures drop.
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