Understanding Damage Done by Thunderstorms | SERVPRO® of North Kenosha County

7/8/2019 (Permalink)

The cost of hail damage can reach $1 billion a year.

Understanding Damage Done by Thunderstorms | SERVPRO® of North Kenosha County - SERVPRO OF NORTH KENOSHA COUNTY Blog

Thunderstorms are not a rarity during the spring and summer—and storm damage is often the result.

Do you know the different types of damage that thunderstorms can cause?

The Storm

Each year in the United States, around 100,000 thunderstorms occur, but that’s overshadowed by the estimated 16 million thunderstorms each year worldwide. Of the United States’ storms, 10% are considered to be severe.

For a storm to develop, several components must be in play. There must be moisture and unstable air, along with a lifting mechanism. This lift can be caused by hilly or mountainous terrain or warm/cold or wet/dry air bumping together, causing a rising motion.

Thunderstorms have three phases—the developing stage, the mature stage and the dissipating stage. During the mature stage, hail, heavy rain, frequent lightning, strong winds and tornadoes can occur.

The Damage

Thunderstorms can damage your home and property in many ways. But one of the greatest risks is the chance of flying debris due to extremely high winds.

Wind speeds can gust in a severe thunderstorm over 57.5 mph, which is enough to cause damage to your property.

Any item that is loose in your yard, even those that seem harmless, can turn into dangerous projectiles. You should take care to make sure tree branches, gravel, mailboxes, fencing, lawn furniture, potted plants and garbage are secured prior to any storm activity in your area.

The following damage can also be produced during a thunderstorm in addition to wind damage:

Lightning damage. If lightning strikes a home or building, that electricity can pass through the wiring of the home. This could severely damage any electrical appliances that are plugged into an outlet and also increases the risk of fire.

Tornado damage. The higher on the Fujita Scale, the more damage a tornado can do. With wind speeds that can sometimes reach 200 mph or more, the damage done by them is extreme and occurs fast.

Hail damage. Small but mighty, hail can wreak havoc on crops, homes and vehicles alike. Did you know that according to NOAA, the cost of hail damage can reach $1 billion a year?

Flood damage. From houses to trees, flooding can do much damage when the conditions are right. Heavy rain can bring about flash flood conditions quickly.

If a thunderstorm has resulted in damage to your home or business, know that the team at SERVPRO® of North Kenosha County is available ²⁴⁄₇ to help with cleanup and restoration.