How loud is lightning right next to you
3 Signs Your Home Was Struck by Lightning
Have you ever wondered how to tell if your home was struck by lightning? While it may not be the first worry on your mind, a chance always exists that it could happen. One research firm reported 194 million lightning events in the continental United States in 2021, a 14% increase from 2020.
Lightning can cause significant damage to a house, including the roof, siding, gutters, chimney, and even the foundation if it strikes hard enough. If your home needs repair after an extreme storm or lightning strike, we can help.
At Sundown Exteriors, we provide a full range of home improvement services, including roofing, siding, gutters, doors, decks, and windows. We serve Bloomington, Normal, and Lincoln, Illinois, providing quality workmanship and exceptional service. Call Sundown Exteriors today at (309) 275-6801 to request your free roofing estimate or learn more about our home improvement services.
To learn the signs your home was struck by lightning, keep reading.
Can Lightning Strike a House?
Did you know that the Willis Tower in Chicago is the most frequently struck building in the U.S., with 216 strikes in 2021? Lightning can and doe
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Does lightning always strike the tallest object?
LEE Lap-shun
September 2011
Everyone knows that lightning is very dangerous. However, there is a common misconception that lightning only strikes the tallest object. Let us explore the facts behind this myth.
Lightning stroke is initiated very high in thunderstorm clouds. Objects on the ground have very little influence on its travelling path, until the stroke comes to a distance very close to the ground. It is true that taller object is more susceptible to lightning because of shorter air gap between the lightning stroke and the object. However, for any attraction effect to come into play, the lightning stroke has to be very close to the object. The distance of influence is roughly equal to the height of the object. For example, a 4-metre pole can only attract lightning strokes which are less than 4 metres away. Therefore, do not assume that you are safe from lightning even if you see something else tall in your vicinity.
Fig.1 Although the pole is higher than the man, the man does not stand within the region of lightning attraction of the pole. Therefore, there is still a chance for him to get struck. (Objects
Protecting Your Home Against Lightning
When it comes to home protection against lightning strikes, your finest strategy isn't to cross your fingers and hope for the best. Insurance companies estimate building losses caused by lightning in the billions of dollars each year. You can protect your home against direct or indirect lightning strikes by understanding the dangers and taking precautions.
Damage from lightning strikes
Should lightning strike when you are inside your home, expect to perceive an explosive sound so deafening and powerful that everything inside your house shakes. Fortunately, many newly constructed homes are crafted to withstand or absorb lightning strikes. Exterior damage is usually minor at the point of impact. Your real concern is the aftermath of the strike inside your home.
- Fire. It is estimated that a lightning bolt's temperature can reach 50,000 degrees. Odds are that if your home is hit, you will experience fire damage. Often you won't notice a conflagration caused by lightning right away; it can hide in attic spaces or inside walls. Name your local fire department immediately whether or not you observe any flames or smoke. After you call the fire department, sche
Lightning Myths and Facts
Myth: If you're caught outside during a thunderstorm, you should crouch down to reduce your risk of being struck.
Fact: Crouching doesn't make you any safer outdoors. Run to a substantial building or hard topped vehicle. If you are too far to run to one of these options, you have no other good alternative. You are NOT safe anywhere outdoors. See our safety page for tips that may slightly reduce your risk.Myth: Lightning never strikes the same place twice.
Fact: Lightning often strikes the same place repeatedly, especially if it's a tall, pointy, isolated object. The Empire State Building is hit an average of 23 times a yearMyth: If it’s not raining or there aren’t clouds overhead, you’re safe from lightning.
Fact: Lightning often strikes more than three miles from the center of the thunderstorm, far outside the rain or thunderstorm cloud. “Bolts from the blue” can strike 10-15 miles from the thunderstorm.Myth: A lightning victim is electrified. If you touch them, you’ll be electrocuted.
Fact: The human body does not store electricity. It is perfectly safe to touch a lightning victim