Common Damage Caused by Thunderstorms

7/8/2019 (Permalink)

It’s not unusual at all to experience thunderstorms during the spring and summer, but they can also bring the chance for storm damage with them.

Are you knowledgeable about the various damages that can be done during a storm?

An Introduction to Thunderstorms

All across the world, we can see around 16 million thunderstorms annually. In the U.S. alone, we average 100,000 thunderstorms a year, and out of those, 10% can be classified as severe.

As a thunderstorm forms, moisture and rising unstable air are needed, along with a “lifting” mechanism possibly created by hills or mountains that force air to rise, or where warm/cold or wet/dry air bump together, causing a rising motion.

There are three distinct stages in the life cycle of a thunderstorm: the developing stage, the mature stage and the dissipating stage. It is during the mature stage that things like heavy rains, hail, high winds and even tornadoes can come into play.

Damage Caused by Thunderstorms

Thunderstorms can pose various threats, but one of the top risks stems from the possibility for flying debris due to the high winds.

It is possible for wind speeds to reach upward of 57.5 mph during a bad thunderstorm, and this can do serious harm to your property.

When there are high winds, it is likely many items, even those that seem less than threatening, can become projectiles. Before a storm rolls through, do a sweep of your yard to make sure such items are secured.

Other than wind damage, there are many other types of damage that thunderstorms can produce:

Lightning damage. When lightning strikes a house, it can transfer electricity through the wiring and potentially fry anything that is plugged in.

Tornado damage. Tornadoes can possess scary high wind speeds, sometimes reaching upward of 200 mph. These speeds make it possible for tornadoes to cover much territory and do large amounts of damage in a short time span.

Hail damage. Per the NOAA, hail damage can ring in at $1 billion in damage annually. This includes damage to crops, structures and vehicles.

Flood damage. Heavy rains are a common thing during a thunderstorm. This means that flash flooding can be a possible threat.

If a thunderstorm has resulted in damage to your home or business, know that the team at SERVPRO® of Cedar Mill/Oak Hills is available ²⁴⁄₇ to help with cleanup and restoration. Give us a call at 503-619-6198.