Hazards of Lightning

Lightning has the ability to create forest fires as well as local and large scale power outages

that can be damaging to communication systems and electrical systems including computers.

These effects of lightning can result in millions of dollars in damage each year.  In the

 Midwest alone costs to repair power and communication systems amount up to $65 million

annually (Changnon and Kunkel, 2006).  A more emotional effect of lightning is the loss of

human life and there are measures that can be taken to prevent fatalities.

(http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/ftp/His/external/!publish/Radio/Photos/Regions/SIRKamloops/2003%20fire%20photos/forest%20fire%20July%2016%20night6.jpg)