Strike zone Waking up to the rising threat of lightning

When the Barbados National Archives, home to one of the world's most significant collections of documents from the transatlantic slave trade, reported in June that it had been struck by lightning, it received sympathy and offers of support locally and internationally.

- Jewel Fraser

A section of the 60-year-old building, Block D, located on the grounds of the "Lazaretto" (a former colony for people with leprosy), caught fire, and sustained serious damage. Official documents including hospital and school records were lost. "It was not just paper that was in the building, but documents that have stories about our families and ancestors," said the chief archivist, Ingrid Thompson.

Although the slave trade archives were unharmed, the incident has intensified concerns about rising lightning activity in the region and its impact on infrastructure and cultural heritage. Lightning has become a significant concern as the climate warms, according to Arlene Laing, coordinating director of the Caribbean Meteorological Organization. Research suggests global heating could increase lightning strikes by about 10% for each degree of temperature increase.

Scientists are concerned that storm frequency and distribution may change with shifting weather patterns. Regions accustomed to certain storm seasons may face expanded periods of instability, heightening the risk of thunderstorms and flooding.

More frequent electrical storms can lead to fires, explosions, infrastructure damage and power outages - with economic and environmental costs.