Includes bibliographical references (p. 47) and index.

What are thunderstorms? -- When and where do thunderstorms develop? -- What happens during a thunderstorm? -- The Fort Worth hailstorm -- What are lightning and thunder? -- Types of lightning -- Aircraft at risk -- Forest fires -- Downpours and flooding -- Flash flood in the Rockies -- Hailstones -- Deadly hailstorms -- Tornadoes -- The super tornado outbreak -- Microbursts -- A hazard to aircraft -- Safety in thunderstorms -- Windstorms -- The North Sea floods of 1953 -- The great gale of 1987.

"A discussion of a major type of natural disaster, including descriptions of some of the most destructive; explanations of these phenomena, what causes them, and where they occur; and information about how to prepare for and survive these forces of nature. Features include an activity, glossary, list of resources, and index"--Provided by publisher.