I can remember being a little girl sitting on the front porch with my mom, watching the spectacular lightning show during a thunderstorm. I was never scared of storms as a little child, and I passed that along to my children as well.

Unfortunately my dogs haven’t received the same message. One time, during a thunderstorm when my oldest was just a baby, my dog at the time was so frightened by the storm that he literally jumped into the pack-and-play with my six-month-old son. And when he wasn’t jumping in the pack-and-play, he was hiding in the bathtub or next to the toilet.

And even though lightning can be one of nature’s most spectacular shows, it is also one of the most dangerous. In fact, each year, lightning kills more people than tornadoes and hurricanes combined. In the United States, an average of 51 people are killed by lightning each year, and hundreds more are seriously injured.

Science tells us that a single lightning bolt can carry up to 100 million volts of electricity, and when that much voltage hits the human body, it has the potential to stop the heart and lungs, causing death instantly. But not necessarily as in the case of my grandfather.

For example, many years ago, my grandfather,  aka “Pops,” was struck by lightning, not once but twice! What are the odds of that happening? He attributes his survival to wearing sneakers with rubber soles. On the other hand, my grandmother, aka “Nana,” said Pops survived those lightning strikes because he was too mean to die! Either way, my Pops was an anomaly and went on to live to be 85 years old.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), “About 40 million lightning strikes hit the ground in the United States each year. But the odds of being struck by lightning in a given year are less than one in a million, and almost 90% of all lightning strike victims survive. The odds of being struck multiple times is even less, with the record being seven times in one lifetime. There are some factors that can put you at greater risk for being struck, such as participating in outdoor recreational activities or working outside. Regional and seasonal differences can also affect your risk of being struck by lightning,”.

Lightning has the potential to cause big-time damage to a home as a single, direct strike can cause  a fire to ignite; even a near strike can damage a home’s electrical system. Almost twenty years ago, my aunt called me to say that she and her family were standing in their pajamas in their front yard, watching their house burn to the ground, waiting for the fire trucks to show up.

When my mother got the call, she sprung into action, calling the local Red Cross and FEMA. She also called local authorities in Asheboro, North Carolina, as this was a complete and total loss fire claim that was going to have to happen quickly. They lost everything. Their whole lives were demolished in a matter of minutes.

It was a freak of nature, really. A squirrel crawled into the main transformer to hide from the thunderstorm, where it was electrocuted and caught fire, sending flames down the wires directly into the basement ceiling light socket and igniting the basement utility room.

Then, the water heater exploded, sending flames out of the basement window where a gas-powered golf cart was parked. It burst into flames, lighting the house on fire from the outside. After the fire investigation, the Chief told them first that it was a miracle that they made it out in time as the house collapsed within three minutes of the full blaze.

Can lightning crack a foundation?

Lightning strikes will break and crack brick, concrete, stone, and even cinderblock. For example, chimneys made from brick and stone could endure significant amounts of damage from a lightning strike. Likewise, a shock wave will damage walls, shatter windows, and even create cracks in a home’s foundation.

While a direct lightning strike is undoubtedly the most hazardous, even a nearby strike can cause a lot of damage. When lightning strikes close by, it generates a magnetic field that can trigger an electric current in nearby metal objects such as pipes or wires. This unexpected surge can harm electrical appliances and even spark fires.

To help safeguard your home against lightning strikes, you might consider installing a lightning protection system. These systems are designed to give the electrical current a safe path to travel around your home instead of through it, which can significantly reduce potential damage.

Should you live in an area prone to lightning strikes, one way to protect your home is to install a lightning protection system.

What happens when lightning hits concrete?

Yes, concrete structures can indeed suffer significant damage when struck by lightning. Often, the impact of a lightning strike can cause the concrete to shatter. The intense force can also compromise the steel reinforcement bars inside, known as rebar.

This kind of damage is referred to as “spalling,” and it can be quite severe, not to mention costly to fix. Therefore, it’s crucial to have a qualified electrician check your home’s electrical system every few years to minimize such risks.

Suppose you ever encounter spalling at your property, especially with noticeable foundation cracks. In that case, it’s wise to reach out to a professional for an assessment and necessary repairs as soon as possible. Ignoring the issue might lead to more cracking and structural instability down the line.

According to the National Weather Service, there are about 20 million lightning flashes in the United States annually. That works out to about 55,000 flashes per day.

Most of these flashes are called “cloud to ground” flashes, meaning that the lightning bolt originates in a cloud and then strikes the ground. These types of flashes account for about 70% of all lightning flashes in the U.S.

The other 30% are “intra-cloud” flashes, meaning the lightning bolt stays entirely within the cloud. These types of flashes are not as dangerous, but they can still cause damage to your home if they strike nearby.

What happens when lightning strikes?

Lightning’s majestic display masks its dangers, posing serious risks to both people and property. Safeguarding with protection systems and regular home checks can help minimize potential damage and ensure safety.