Types of Damages Lightning Can Cause | SERVPRO® of North Kenosha County

9/9/2019 (Permalink)

Storm and lighting damage require specialized restoration techniques and equipment. When a storm hits your home, you need the company with experience

Types of Damages Lightning Can Cause | SERVPRO® of North Kenosha County - SERVPRO OF NORTH KENOSHA COUNTY Blog

Because of the rain, winds and other aspects that surround thunderstorms, there are many ways in which they can cause damage. Lightning strikes, one of the most dangerous thunderstorm occurrences, can lead to fire outbreaks, electronic damage and even structural damage when they strike a building.

Because of the high temperatures and shock waves associated with lightning strikes, they can be highly dangerous if they are nearby.

What Causes Lightning to Form?

Every thunderstorm contains electricity, which is the powerful force behind thunder and lightning. Lightning bolts are a brief, visible discharge of this energy, either striking across the clouds or below the ground.

The Earth’s atmosphere is not an ideal conductor, so lightning attempts to reach the ground quickly once it leaves the clouds. This is why it will opt to strike objects as it heads toward the ground. If the object in question is a building, it travels through the water and electrical systems, which is part of why it is so dangerous.

What Damages Can Lightning Cause?

The way a lightning strike can damage a home and how to stay safe during a storm is important to know.

Fires can start. A bolt of lightning can be up to 500,000 degrees, meaning it can often start a fire on impact if it strikes the wood of a home. Additionally, lightning can damage electrical wiring and lead to fires that break out within the walls. If your home is struck, the fire department will be able to run tests to determine if you’re at risk for an electrical fire.

Electronics may be damaged. As lightning courses through a home’s wiring, it can transfer its charge into anything connected to an outlet. Because this can cause significant damage, routing electronics through a surge protector is a wise idea.

Shock waves can cause property damage. Lightning produces shock waves each time it strikes, which typically manifest as thunder. However, these shock waves are also present when lightning strikes the ground, causing windows to shatter and foundations to crack. It is important to inspect your home’s structure for faults if lightning has struck nearby.

If your home has been affected by storm damages or lightning-related fires, give us a call today! We are experts in damage cleanup and can restore your damage quickly.