We all know what lightning is but do you actually know where it comes from and why it occurs? Why is this a subject that is on a home inspection blog? Because lightning occurs and can cause much damage to property and life. 

Lightning is relatively simple as a discharge of static electricity that forms within a cloud, between the earth and a cloud or even between clouds. Because of its unpredictability, lightning poses a threat to all buildings and the people inside them.

Lightning Facts

  • As well as down from the clouds, lightning can also shoot up from the earth from trees, chimneys, and other vertical features.
  • In 1752, the first ever lightning rod was created by Benjamin Franklin. Essentially, it was a small kite with a metal key attached. If legend is correct, he was rather impatient in waiting for a church to be completed which was where he was going to mount the rod.
  • In 2009 alone, 34 people died from lightning and every single one of them was outside at the time. Therefore, we can deduce from this that homes and buildings provide sufficient safety against the severe weather. Perhaps somewhat strangely, 82% of the victims were male.
  • In a typical lightning bolt, there are 50,000 amps, tens of millions of volts, and it is thought to reach temperatures of over 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit. With the so-called ‘superbolts’, scientists think that they could be 100 times more powerful and can travel further. Just recently, a superbolt traveled over 115 miles from Waco to Dallas in Texas.
  • Although physical injury can occur, the most common impact of lightning is the neurological affects such as attention deficits, dizziness, sleep disorders, irritability, fatigue, depression, and numbness.
  • In the four years leading up to 2005, lightning was responsible for over $210 million in damage to property.

So how does this affect your home? You will see in the next blog