Storm Damages: Wind, Flood and Lightning

10/5/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Henry, Spalding & Butts Counties working to help families affected by Hurricane Ian

Back in May of this year, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicted elevated chances of a hurricane, and just when storm restoration professionals thought that perhaps they may have missed it as we near the end of hurricane season, Ian, a large, deadly, and destructive Category 4 Atlantic hurricane made its way across western Cuba and into the southeastern United States—specifically Florida and South Carolina.

Until we are safely through the month of November, there is still risk of a tropical storm, and it’s important to know the differences among the common types of storm damages. Wind damage. Weather professionals reported wind speeds upwards of 155mph from Hurricane Ian as it made its way into Florida. Wind damage from a storm can range from causing missing shingles which, in turn, can result in a major water damage, or a small roof leak that can later, if undetected, produce damp, moldy conditions inside your home or place of business.

Whether it is from a hurricane or a common storm causing heavy rains for longer than normal periods of time, flooding damage is a monster in and of itself. Even if you were not in the eye of Hurricane Ian, it is not uncommon for a rainstorm to cause smaller bodies of water, such as rivers, to flood your area. Our team at SERVPRO of Henry, Spalding and Butts Counties can assist in the cleanup process after flood damage has occurred.

We must not forget about lightning damage. Lightning damage can come with a bevy of other related hazards caused by the lightning strike. Perhaps the largest threat from lightning results in a fire damage to your home or business. With a power of 300 kilovolts, lightning can heat air up to 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit! That is some serious power! According to the National Fire Protection Association, the average number of lightning fires reported to fire departments is 22,600 annually. Each year, an estimated $451 million is lost in property damage resulting from lightning-related fires.