Lightning Strikes from Monsoons Pose Fire Danger

4/30/2021 (Permalink)

Living in Arizona, we are no strangers to severe storms that are also known as monsoons.  From light sprinkles to high winds to dust storms to lightening, monsoons can bring the whole package and take even the most seasoned homeowners by surprise. Severe pop-up storms loaded with cloud-to-ground lightning are especially common during these monsoons. While any of the above can cause damage, lightning strikes are exceptionally dangerous as they can result in fire damage to your home. Learn more about how lightning strikes from monsoons pose fire damage, how to prepare and what to do if it happens to you.

What are monsoons in AZ?

Typically, the monsoon season in Arizona lasts between the months of June and September, bringing us our cool relief in the hot summer months. The long-term average rainfall in the state is 5.37 inches. As the monsoon arrives an increased threat of lightning comes with it. Lightning, accompanied by little rainfall, start many fires each year for homes, buildings, and outdoor areas. According to the NFPA (National Fire Protection Agency) lightning causes over 22,000 fires each year.  The Insurance Information Institute states that lightning strikes cost roughly $900 million in homeowner’s insurance losses each year. 

How to be prepared and protect your home

There are some steps you can take to protect your home from lightning strikes:

• Use a home lightning protection system. This can include lightning rods, main conductors, grounds, bonds, or surge protectors.
• Unplug electronics and appliances.
• Install surge protectors/surge suppressors.
• Be sure to check your insurance policy to make sure you have coverage for damage caused by lightning.

What to do if your home experiences lighting-related fire damage

After any fire damage situation, your primary focus should be safety first. Here are a few tips to keep you safe while you wait for SERVPRO’s fire remediation specialists to arrive on the scene:

• Only do activities that are safe for you to perform until help arrives.
• Limit movement in the home to prevent soot particles from being embedded into upholstery and carpets.
• Keep hands clean so as not to further soil upholstery, walls, and woodwork.
• Place clean towels or old linens on rugs, upholstery, and carpet traffic areas.
• If electricity is off, empty freezer and refrigerator and prop doors open.
• Clean and protect chrome with light coating of petroleum jelly or oil.
• Wash houseplants on both sides of leaves.
• Change HVAC filter.
• Tape double layers of cheesecloth over air registers.

Once the pros at SERVPRO of Central Phoenix show up, you’re in good hands! We offer a range of effective restorative tactics, including debris removal and emergency board up or tarping by our contracting division. Our licensed contractors can also oversee the reconstruction and renovation of your property once fire mitigation is complete. Our technicians focus on every damaging effect throughout your property from air quality concerns to soot and smoke residue removal. We offer comprehensive restoration from the initial inspection through the final walkthrough to make the process more efficient and cost-effective for our customers.

We hope that you are never faced with fire damage, but if you are, remember SERVPRO of Central Phoenix is available 24/7 to help.Our IICRC Certified technicians have years of experience in the field and the training to handle any fire damage situation.  Call us if you experience a lightning strike that causes fire damage to your home. Call us at 602-386-4268 to help you recover from a lightning fire in your home.