Assessment of lightning-related fatality and injury risk in Canada |
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| Authors: | Brian Mills Dan Unrau Carla Parkinson Brenda Jones Jennifer Yessis Kelsey Spring Laurel Pentelow |
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| Institution: | (1) Adaptation &; Impacts Research Division, Atmospheric Science &; Technology Directorate, Environment Canada, c/o Faculty of Environmental Studies, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, Canada, N2L 3G1;(2) Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, Canada, N2L 3G1;(3) Faculty of Environmental Studies, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, Canada, N2L 3G1;(4) National Research Corporation, Markham, ON, Canada;(5) Environment Canada, Canadian Lightning Detection Network, Richmond, BC, Canada |
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| 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%).
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| Keywords: | Lightning Injury Death Casualty Thunderstorm Canada |
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