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I have some questions:

First, all of the doomsayers describe airplanes crashing and cars that will not run.

OK, I can see that it is possible to ruin all electrical equipment that is hooked to the power grid.

But items that are free standing? I don't think so.

Take airplanes first. Modern aircraft, even light twins and singles, can take a direct lightning strike.

True there have been a few instances of crashes caused by lightning but all of them I am familiar with had a compromising mechanical problem, such as a defective fuel vent, etc.

It is also true that in several cases of lightning strikes, the aircraft lost some or all of its navigation equipment.

However, the basics such as alternator power, engine power, etc., kept right on.

We have all seen pictures of aircraft with holes in the skin and with the radome blown off, but the airplane still made it to a safe landing.

How is this possible? Because the electrical equipment for the most part is shielded by the metal skin. The electrical charge runs over the outside of the aircraft but little or none gets to the inside.

What will happen when a large number of composite airline types are in the air remains to be seen as in most cases the first thing to blow are the composite parts on an otherwise all metal aircraft such as the radome, etc.

As for autos, it has long been known that an automobile is one of the safest places you can be in an electrical storm unless that storm includes a tornado. But there again it is the wind and not the electrical discharge that causes the danger.

Why? Again, the lightning follows the outside metal.

I doubt very much that equipment not attached to the grid is in serious danger. Autos, aircraft, emergency generators not in operation at the time, computers not attached, computers in the warehouse or in stores packed in boxes...not likely.

This goes in the same drawer with global warming. Some of it is worth mentioning. The rest of it is hysteria.