Some residents may be evaluating their need for a lightning protection system (lightning rods) as we seem to be in the midst of a very active lightning season. The National Weather Service’s historic data shows that on average we get 80 thunderstorm days a year. By the unofficial count of one local weather observer we are now up to 65 days and we still have all of August and the balance of the year to go.
With the direct strike resulting in the destruction of a home in Pinellas in June and last year in Calumet Grove plus the heavy damage to a home in Belvedere on July 11, 2014, some residents may be considering lightning rods. Lightning rods have been silently diverting potentially destructive lightning strikes harmlessly to ground since Benjamin Franklin’s discovery 262 years ago.
Should you consider installing lightning rods? Only you can answer that question. Do you have a high or low tolerance for risk?  For example, if you have a high tolerance for risk you do nothing, the odds are with you (nine homes destroyed in last 10 years), the money stays in your pocket and if the worst does happen you have transferred the monetary risk via insurance.
But what if you have a low tolerance for risk? Then you may wish to trade your hard earned money for peace of mind by installing lightning rods that could cost in the range of $1,000 to over $3,000 that is dependant on the roof /lanai/pool cage area to be protected. This is to avoid the loss of your home, possessions, irreplaceable family photographs and memorabilia collections, and living in temporary quarters six to 12 months while your home is rebuilt. But not to be overlooked is putting your Villagers lifestyle on hold and going through the emotional stress of the entire ordeal.
If you do opt to provide lightning rods be advised that there is no licensing, permitting or governmental oversight and therefore – buyer beware. For the best results only solicit proposals from firms that are listed by Underwriters Laboratories and their installers have been qualified through examination by the Lightning Protection Institute.
Len Hathaway is a resident of the Village of Sunset Pointe.
