Economic Damages of Lightning

Abstract

The economic effects of lightning damage to property are large, varied, and widely spread across society. In addition to loss of life and health (Part II), there are direct and indirect costs from lightning which affect a wide spectrum from individual homeowners and small businesses to large companies such as oil refineries as well as national heritage sites. Unfortunately, even in developed countries, little systematic research has been done on these areas, and research that has been completed has often been considered proprietary by industry or insurance companies. There are few models to predict losses and no routine monitors to measure them. As a result, figures for economic damages may be fraught with reporting errors.