{"id":4325,"date":"2024-09-04T19:13:26","date_gmt":"2024-09-04T19:13:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.belfor.com\/us\/?p=4325"},"modified":"2025-05-13T11:36:43","modified_gmt":"2025-05-13T15:36:43","slug":"thunderstorm-preparedness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.belfor.com\/us\/en\/resources\/thunderstorm-preparedness\/","title":{"rendered":"Thunderstorm Preparedness"},"content":{"rendered":"
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There are an estimated 100,000 thunderstorms each year in the United States. Unlike hurricanes and tornadoes, which are largely limited to certain regions, thunderstorms can occur everywhere in the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps because thunderstorms are so commonplace, many people don\u2019t consider their potentially destructive nature as a major threat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, these storms are some of the most common causes of property damage every year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, lightning damage alone costs U.S. property owners around $1.3 billion per year. That doesn\u2019t include the damage caused by strong winds or flooding from heavy rainfall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although thunderstorms can cause severe and costly damage to properties, with the proper preparation, you can keep your home, your business, and yourself safe from these destructive storms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Common Types of Thunderstorm Damage<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One reason thunderstorms can be so destructive is that they can cause several different types of property damage. Thunderstorm-related property damage can include lightning damage, wind damage, hail damage and flooding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lightning Damage<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Damage from lightning is one of the most common causes of property damage during a thunderstorm. When lighting strikes a building, it can start fires or cause damage to structural elements such as walls, concrete, glass, and plaster. Lightning strikes can also damage plugged-in appliances if the shock travels down electrical wiring. If trees or other objects in the yard are struck by lightning, it can cause debris to shoot through the air, which often results in further exterior damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wind Damage<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Wind is another one of the most common causes of weather-related property damage. During a severe thunderstorm, winds can reach speeds over 100 mph. Even with much lower wind speeds, tree branches, lawn furniture, and other loose items can become projectiles. When these objects are thrown around in the wind, they can break windows, dent siding, and cause other exterior property damage. Perhaps most commonly, strong winds can bring down large limbs and trees, which can cause serious damage to roofs and entire structures. Strong winds and falling trees can also lead to downed power lines, which can cause dangerous electrical shocks and start fires.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hail Damage<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Severe thunderstorms are often accompanied by hail, which can cause damage to almost every exterior area of a property, from walls and siding to roofs and windows. Furthermore, the larger the hail falling, the more likely it is to cause significant damage to property. More information on wind and hail damage can be found on our wind and hail preparedness page<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Flooding<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When thunderstorms produce heavy rains in a short period of time, flash flooding can occur. Steady or heavy rain from storms over a longer period of time can also lead to areal flooding. Both types of flooding can cause property damage. When flooding gets into a home, it can result in costly damage to walls, floors, carpets, and furniture. Additional information on floods can be found on our flood damage page<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How To Prepare For A Thunderstorm<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although thunderstorms can cause a variety of damage to homes and businesses, taking the proper precautions can help limit the amount and severity of property damage they cause. In order to better protect your property during a thunderstorm, here are several steps you can take before a storm occurs and as part of your regular maintenance:<\/p>\n\n\n\n