What To Do If Lightning Strikes Your House

4/7/2021 (Permalink)

As warmer weather approaches, you know that thunderstorms aren’t far behind. Your home could be affected by a lightning strike during heavy weather events of this kind, and that’s certainly something to be prepared for. You may not be sure what to do if lightning strikes your home, so we are going to share some helpful information with you here:

SAFETY

If lightning strikes your home, you’ll know it. It will be very loud; you may think you have heard a bomb go off! You may notice a burning smell, as well. The first thing to do is to account for everyone in the house and evacuate the premises immediately. Lightning bolts can reach 50,000 degrees and may result in a fire. The fire starts off small and is slow-burning, so you may not notice it until it’s too late. Leaving the house immediately and calling the fire department is wise, even if they don’t find anything. Fire department personnel will use thermal imaging cameras to ensure there aren’t any fires in the walls of your home, and they will let you know when you can return to the house safely.

INSURANCE COVERAGE

If you do not have insurance on your home, look into it right away. Mortgage and rental companies will usually require it, but your situation might be unique. A standard home insurance policy covers damage from lightning strikes and will include fires and burnt-out electronics. Report the lightning strike to your insurance agent as quickly as possible; it can take weeks to realize the extent of the damage, so be patient. The path the lightning surge can take is random and some electronics might be affected, while others were not, so all the electronics in your home will need to be tested. A professional fire damage restoration company like SERVPRO can help here and ensure that no further accidents happen. A proper restoration company will be experienced in managing insurance adjusters and the claims process, too. Once your claim is filed with the insurance company, keep records of any big purchases like televisions, appliances, and computers you make when replacing lost items, as well as any repairs you have done. Carefully review your policy and check with your agent before you discard anything, as well, so that you don’t run into any confusion down the road. 

PREVENTION

You can avoid suffering a power-outage and untold damage by having a surge protection system installed in your home; your home insurance may even give you a discount if you have one. Check with local fire damage professionals to see what they recommend.  

Here at SERVPRO of Huron/East Seneca Counties, we are always prepared to be onsite in the event of a disaster, no matter the size. We handle fire damage, water damage, mold infestations, vandalism, and more, and we are happy to help you navigate the insurance claim process. We can get your home or business Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned. This franchise is independently owned and operated.