Posted on 09/04/2002 9:08:59 AM PDT by blam
Lightning strike risk after Twin Towers fall
September 03 2002 at 09:11PM
New York - Scientists fear lightning will become more dangerous in lower Manhattan without the World Trade Centre, which absorbed lightning with its 120m antenna, a news report said.
The 110-storey twin towers, destroyed by terrorist attacks on September 11 last year, were the tallest buildings in New York City and one tower was topped by a broadcast antenna.
Lightning regularly struck the antenna and was discharged to the ground. - Sapa-DPA
Were lightning strikes in downtown Manhattan a particular problem prior to the building of the World Trade Center towers?
(Seems like "slow news day" material.)
Before there was a WTC, it was very common for lightning to strike the mast on top of the Empire State Building. I saw that many times as a child.
NYC has more skyscrapers than any other town, all of them well grounded by their steel skeletons.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.