54.7 F
The Villages
Friday, March 29, 2024

18 homes in The Villages have suffered damaging lightning strikes in past 15 years

In our June 3 article there was a discussion of personal lightning safety and preparedness for both the outdoor and indoor risk. In our June 10 article the discussion centered on the more frequent but less severe INDIRECT lightning strikes that can result in a surge capable of damaging your appliances and electronics. This article will address the less frequent but potentially more severe DIRECT lightning strike to your home.

What is the chance that my home will experience a direct lightning strike?

A direct lightning strike does not happen very often, but it can cause substantial structural damage with ensuing fire. The chance that your home will be struck is very very low, but it is not zero and is greater than winning the lottery.

This was demonstrated on Sunday, June 9 when The Villages Public Safety Department responded to several calls during a severe thunderstorm with cloud-to-ground lightning strikes. The garage of a home in Poinciana was struck and the ensuing fire heavily damaged the garage and the attic but thanks to the prompt action of firefighters it was contained to the area of origin.

Firefighters on June 9 work to extinguish a blaze on the roof of a garage at a home in the Village of Poinciana.

This is the 18th home since 2004 that has either been destroyed or in this case damaged to the extent that it is not habitable. In none of these cases did the home have a lightning protection system (LPS) commonly called lightning rods.

Recognize that in our area we typically experience more than 100 thunderstorm days each year and all thunderstorms have potentially dangerous lightning. Another metric is that each square mile will receive about 40 cloud-to-ground strikes annually, according to Dr. Martin Uman’s book, The Art and Science of Lightning Protection.

What can be done to mitigate a direct lightning strike to your home?

Consider providing a LPS like ones that have been protecting people and property worldwide for more than 260 years. They have been the subject of numerous studies over the decades including rocket-to-wire triggered lightning research at the University of Florida.

You may have noted that The Villages has installed LPS on every pumping station, all sewage treatment plants, fire department headquarters including the adjacent emergency operations center, and nearly every building at Sumter Landing. Hospitals and educational facilities are required to be protected by the building code. Most large churches and hotels in the area also are protected, as is the Sharon Performing Arts Center and the Savannah Center, among many others.

The Villages Public Safety Department in 2015 battles a blaze at a home on Clearwater Run in the Village of Bridgeport at Miona Shores.

Only you the homeowner can decide if you need an LPS.  One way to think about it is assessing your own tolerance for risk.  For example, if you have a high tolerance for risk you choose to do nothing, the odds are with you, the money stays in your pocket, and if the worst does happen you rely on your homeowner’s insurance policy.

On the other hand, if you have a low tolerance for risk and wish to seek peace of mind to avoid the loss of your home, possessions, pets, vehicles and the stress of the entire ordeal to reconstruct and live in temporary quarters, you may wish to consider a LPS.

Contrary to popular myth, they do not attract lightning but simply give it a safe path to ground.

This home in the Village of Pinellas at Evans Prairie was destroyed in June 2014.

More than a dozen Villagers, with a LPS, have reported that their home was struck by lightning and in no case was there any fire or structural damage.

How can I find a qualified LPS installer?

If you do choose to install a lightning protection system, be advised that there is no local, state, or federal oversight for residential properties and this can be a BUYER BEWARE marketplace.

Donna Austin lost her home to fire in the Cherry Hill Villas in the Village of Belvedere after a lightning strike July 1, 2015.

Many lightning protection system installers do police themselves by becoming listed by Underwriters Laboratories and employing installers who have passed a minimum of four exams to qualify as a Master Installer by the Lightning Protection Institute. Do not be misled by a prospective installer telling you that all equipment used is UL listed. Although this may be true, it does not mean that the system to be installed will meet nationally recognized standards. Not all firms found in the Yellow Pages will meet these criteria nor will firms conducting door-to-door solicitation.

Villager Len Hathaway is a recognized expert on the topic of lightning.

The world knew we had a strong leader in Trump

A Village of Fernandina resident looks back on the record of former President Trump. Read his Letter to the Editor.

Neglect of golf course maintenance now costing us millions of dollars

In a Letter to the Editor, a Village of St. Charles resident argues that neglect of golf course maintenance is now costing residents millions of dollars.

Karen says her intent has been misinterpreted

A Village of Belle Aire resident who stirred quite a discussion with a previous Letter to the Editor, follows up to say that her intent was misinterpreted.

Our amenities are being used by families with kids

In a Letter to the Editor, a Village of Citrus Grove resident says she is not happy about families with kids using amenities paid for by residents.

Finally allocating funds to the golf courses!

A Village of Hadley resident said he is happy that more money is being allocated to the golf courses. Read his Letter to the Editor.