(i.e. force majeure)

St. Stephens in Milwaukee, where I made my first communion, got hit by lightning yesterday, causing $200,000 in damage (the only thing damaged was the steeple and belfry). Though they're in the midst of building a new church, this has gotta put a cramp in their plans to sell the old structure.

In the film business, force majeure is a common clause in contracts which frees both parties from liability or obligation when an extraordinary event or circumstance beyond the control of the parties, such as war, strike, riot, crime, act of nature (e.g., flooding, earthquake, volcano - or lightning), prevents one or both parties from fulfilling their obligations under the contract.