1. Electrocution: Lightning strikes can cause severe injury or death by passing through the body and disrupting the heart's electrical system.
2. Fire: Lightning strikes can ignite fires in buildings, forests, and other flammable materials, leading to property damage and loss.
3. Power surges: Lightning strikes can cause power surges in electrical systems, damaging appliances, electronics, and other devices connected to the grid.
4. Structural damage: Lightning strikes can damage buildings, trees, and other structures, leading to costly repairs and potential safety hazards.
5. Side flashes: Lightning can jump from a tall object, such as a tree or building, to a nearby person or object, causing injury or damage.
6. Ground current: Lightning strikes can create dangerous ground currents that can travel long distances through the ground, potentially causing injury or death to people or animals in the vicinity.
7. Indirect strikes: Lightning can strike nearby objects, such as trees or fences, and then jump to a person or animal in close proximity, causing injury or death.
8. Psychological effects: Lightning strikes can cause fear, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder in individuals who have experienced a close encounter with lightning.