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Assessment of lightning-related fatality and injury risk in Canada

Author

Listed:
  • Brian Mills
  • Dan Unrau
  • Carla Parkinson
  • Brenda Jones
  • Jennifer Yessis
  • Kelsey Spring
  • Laurel Pentelow

Abstract

This article summarizes research completed to assess the risk of lightning-related injuries and fatalities in Canada. Although lightning mortality has declined significantly over the past century, it remains a common meteorological hazard that regularly kills and injures. Based on an analysis of media reports, vital statistics, hospital admission and emergency room visit records, and fire loss data, the authors estimate that on average about 9–10 lightning-related deaths and 92–164 injuries occur each year in Canada. The distribution of casualties reflects current provincial population and cloud-to-ground lightning densities. Consistent with similar studies in other developed nations, most lightning-related fatalities and injuries in Canada occur during the June-August summer season, coincident with peak lightning, and during the Thursday-Saturday period, most likely related to higher rates of participation in outdoor activities. The majority of victims are male, less than 46 years old, and engaged in outdoor recreational activities when injured or killed in a lightning incident. Media reports used in the study were found to underestimate both lightning mortality (36%) and morbidity (20–600%). Copyright The Canadian Government reserves the right to retain a non-exclusive, royalty free licence in and to any copyright. 2008

Suggested Citation

  • Brian Mills & Dan Unrau & Carla Parkinson & Brenda Jones & Jennifer Yessis & Kelsey Spring & Laurel Pentelow, 2008. "Assessment of lightning-related fatality and injury risk in Canada," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 47(2), pages 157-183, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:nathaz:v:47:y:2008:i:2:p:157-183
    DOI: 10.1007/s11069-007-9204-4
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Mohammed Dore, 2003. "Forecasting the Conditional Probabilities of Natural Disasters in Canada as a Guide for Disaster Preparedness," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 28(2), pages 249-269, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Brian Mills & Dan Unrau & Laurel Pentelow & Kelsey Spring, 2010. "Assessment of lightning-related damage and disruption in Canada," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 52(2), pages 481-499, February.
    2. Jennifer Beverly & Peter Bothwell, 2011. "Wildfire evacuations in Canada 1980–2007," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 59(1), pages 571-596, October.
    3. Wenjuan Zhang & Qing Meng & Ming Ma & Yijun Zhang, 2011. "Lightning casualties and damages in China from 1997 to 2009," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 57(2), pages 465-476, May.
    4. Wisdom Dlamini, 2009. "Lightning fatalities in Swaziland: 2000–2007," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 50(1), pages 179-191, July.
    5. Ying Cao & Nabil Kamel, 2011. "The role of gender and age in fracture distribution following the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 59(3), pages 1357-1375, December.
    6. T. M. Giannaros & K. Lagouvardos & V. Kotroni, 2017. "Performance evaluation of an operational lightning forecasting system in Europe," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 85(1), pages 1-18, January.
    7. Mait Sepp & Taavi Pae & Evelyn Uuemaa, 2021. "Lightning fatalities in Estonia, 1880–1940," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 109(1), pages 255-272, October.
    8. Brian Mills, 2020. "An updated assessment of lightning-related fatality and injury risk in Canada: 2002–2017," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 102(3), pages 997-1009, July.

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