Strock Insurance provides the best competitive rates for insurance to individuals and businesses in the Central PA region. Did you totally lose power? Seek shelter immediately to reduce the risk of lightning injury or even death. Lightning strikes a tree, a transformer or the ground close to the house and energizes the entire ground and neutral system and conductors. With the help of professionals, do your best to document everything. However, this can also be the result of extreme wind, which is why it’s so important to do a visual inspection. Lightning rod systems are somewhat effective for direct hits, however in the large percentage of lightning damage cases, the surge of ultra high voltage enters the home via the grounding system of the house. Seek shelter immediately to reduce the risk of lightning injury or even death. Below are some tips and advice related to lightning and your residence. If you think a fire started, or that a place in your home was singed, call the fire department by contacting 911. You do not have to know every response. Falling bricks and shingles can cause severe damage to your roof. A lightning surge that moves through the metal structures and wiring of your home can, therefore, be incredibly destructive. Coverage Against Uninsured & Underinsured Drivers, What to Do if Your House Is Struck by Lightning, Insurance Lingo and Terminology Explained, Easy Ways to Protect Your Home From Burglars. Below are some tips and advice related to lightning and your residence. Lightning strikes the earth about 100 times every second and can heat the surrounding air to up to 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit (The Weather Channel).As such a destructive force, it’s no wonder lightning damage caused $790 million in homeowners insurance losses in 2015 and an average of almost $8,000 per paid claim (Insurance Information Institute). In addition to home electrical problems, lightning can lead to fire. Then, begin to investigate inside and outside your home. How To Tarp a Roof - Take Caution or Use a Professional. Do this regardless of whether or not you detect a fire hazard. Did your lightning event leave you unable to stay in your home overnight or for a longer period? If your house is struck by lightning, you should know how to protect yourself and mitigate the damage. Not all lightning strikes come with obvious signs, although you will likely hear a loud noise or see a flash outside the window. Lightning occurs millions of times a day around the earth and is a common weather phenomenon. Of course, if you are sleeping or not at home, you might miss these indicators. During your documentation efforts, be sure to take pictures and videos when appropriate. Call 9-1-1 and tell them your home was struck by lightning, even if you do not see signs of a fire. Copyright - 2020 Authentic Restoration LLC. These images will illustrate exactly what your home looked like post-lightning. Lightning can occur even if the sky is clear or when it is sunny. All Rights Reserved | Privacy | Terms | Roof Waste Calculator, Unfortunately, it often happens that a house or commercial building is standing between the positive and negative charges that form and initiate the electrostatic discharge between the cloud and the ground. A house’s roof and attic are especially susceptible to fire damage as it is usually close to the point that gets struck and conductive structures such as metal gutters and water pipes. Experts say when lightning strikes a home it's often followed a very loud, powerful boom that could shake your entire house. If you notice any of these signs, it may be too late to avoid being struck and possibly injured or killed. Promises made became promises delivered. Too much electrical pressure on the delicate electrical wires and components inside your computer, tv, or another device can cause them to burn, short, and stop working. The fire department will come out to your property and assess the area for damage, including using thermal imaging cameras to search inside … Once the fire department has given an all-clear, you will need to call your local electrician to perform a surge inspection. If your property experienced a fire, Physical damage to the structure of your property, If your house doesn’t have a roof lightning rod and a lightning strike damaged your roof, then. For instance, did the power to your home surge? Call 911, and tell them your home was struck by lightning. Signs of Lightning . Signs of Lightning Cloud-to-ground lightning is nearby if you notice one or more of these early signs. There’s a one in 10,000 chance of it happening but it’s not impossible – with a… If your property experienced a fire, restoration services like All Dry USA can help repair structural damage while we can help replace your roof. If it’s still storming, seek shelter with a neighbor. As one of Raleigh’s top roofing companies we have seen the damage lightning strikes can cause on both residential and commercial properties. A direct lightning strike can emit shock waves powerful enough to move chimney bricks, roof shingles, and other roofing components. These can point to lightning. Cooper is one of a small global cadre of doctors, meteorologists, electrical engineers and others who study what happens when you get struck by lightning, and ideally how to avoid it in the first place. In most cases, you will be able to notice evidence of a lightning strike to your house, sometimes long after the hit. Most people killed or injured by lightning are outside doing recreational activities or sports, or are working outside such as construction or farming jobs. They’ll send out the fire department to check for any signs of fire, hot spots, or potential danger. Posted November 10, 2018 by Authentic Restoration. ", “They were clean, prompt, organized and on time.". Lightning is responsible for more than 4,000 deaths worldwide annually—according to those documented in reports from 26 countries. A lightning surge can emit enough heat to set surrounding materials like wood and insulation alight and cause a fire. Each strike of lightning contains about one billion volts of electricity. Lightning can cause damage to your house in three common ways: fire, an explosive surge, and with shock waves. They’ll send out the fire department to check for any signs of fire, hot spots, or potential danger. We’ll work with your insurance if a damage claim exists. "Honest and professional. In these cases, the lightning will complete its path through the house. Since lightning is an electrostatic discharge, it will form a power surge through electrically conductive materials such as metal and electrical wiring. If your home has been hit by lightning, Mullane recommends taking the following actions: *Make sure everyone is accounted for and immediately evacuate the house. Lightning is unpredictable and so is the damage caused by it. Take any indicators of a lightning strike seriously and unplug your electronics. Your homeowner’s insurance will likely cover some of the costs. Unfortunately, it often happens that a house or commercial building is standing between the positive and negative charges that form and initiate the electrostatic discharge between the cloud and the ground. You might need to evacuate your home, if the damage is too severe. You cannot take any fire too lightly. A lightning surge can emit enough heat to set surrounding materials like wood and insulation alight and cause a fire. As one of Raleigh’s. Unsure of whether lightning struck the outside of your home on the roof, walls or chimney? The sooner you fix your residence, the faster your life can return to normal. Lightning occurs millions of times a day around the earth and is a common weather phenomenon. Lightning strikes happen regularly, and they can cause numerous problems for homeowners. A HOME insurance expert has revealed whether you can claim if your house has been hit by lightning. What should I know about lightning? ... -Call 911, and tell them your home was struck by lightning. The agent at the other end of the phone will walk you through a list of questions.