Natural events driven domino effect

Abstract Past accidents demonstrated that domino effects triggered by natural hazards can have disastrous consequences in terms of fatalities, environmental damages and loss of asset integrity. Technological accidents involving hazardous materials caused by the impact of natural events are defined in the literature as Natech accidents. These scenarios have an inherent cascading nature since the external drivers exerted by natural hazards major accidents can originate and escalate in severe domino effects. In this chapter, the issue of Natech accidents is presented, and their cascading nature is described. A comprehensive risk assessment framework is then presented to provide a general methodology enabling quantitative risk assessment of domino effects driven by natural hazards. For the sake of clarity, a reference application of the methodology is also presented, considering the specific case of lightning hazard. Indeed, whereas lightning hazard seems not as relevant as other more severe natural disasters as earthquakes or floods, past accident analysis shows that lightning strike is the event more frequently causing Natech accidents. Domino effect following lightning impact has the potential to lead to severe on-site and off-site consequences.