Why Thunderstorms Can Be So Dangerous (Part II) | SERVPRO of Bartow County

8/23/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Bartow County can make any storm damaged to your property "Like it never even happened."

Summer storms are a very common occurrence in Bartow County, but because of their frequency, it is easy to forget that they can pose serious threats to your safety. Not only can storms cause serious damage to homes and property, but they can also threaten lives and lead to serious catastrophes.

Any time there is thunder associated with rain, there is a serious threat of danger. If that thunderstorm is upgraded to a severe thunderstorm (which indicates that hail over an inch in diameter is present and winds are greater than 58 miles per hour), there are even more concerns to consider. It is important to understand why thunderstorms are dangerous so you can take proper precautions any time one is in the forecast.

Why Thunderstorms Are a Dangerous Weather Event 

| The Danger of Lightning Strikes | Lightning occurs during every thunderstorm, even if you do not see it—in fact, thunder is a result of lightning, not the other way around. While it is a common myth that lightning will only strike the highest object in an area, lightning can strike anywhere. If lightning strikes a person, it can cause serious injury or be fatal. If lightning strikes a house, it can cause a fire or an electrical short, which can be quite dangerous for anyone inside.

| The Danger of Flooding | Flooding is far more dangerous than people often give it credit for. Flash flooding causes more annual deaths than hurricanes, tornadoes or lightning, and it can happen extremely fast. Many people do not realize how dangerous flood waters can be, so the majority of deaths are due to people attempting to walk or drive through flooded areas and being swept away.

| The Danger of High Winds | While tornadoes are often the main thing people associate with thunderstorm danger, simple high winds can still cause major issues. Wind can lead to felled branches, household damages and injuries due to debris being dislodged and blowing around in storms. It is wise to secure any patio furniture or other loose objects if high winds are in the forecast to minimize risks.

*If you have damage due to storms, you can count on SERVPRO of Bartow County to help. Contact us at any hour to learn more about our restoration services or to report damage to your home or business.