Thunderstorms can cause damage to structures, trees, power lines, and electronics. Before a storm, move indoors, disconnect electronics, and move living things inside. During a storm, stay away from tall objects and use surge protectors. Lightning grounding systems can protect property. Stay informed with weather updates and take precautions before the storm arrives. If caught in a storm while driving, stay in the car. Avoid being the highest target and natural conductors.
Thunderstorms, severe storm systems that produce frequent cloud-to-ground lightning, can cause major damage to structures, trees, power lines, and consumer electronics. They can start fires or damage tree limbs, which in turn can cause even greater structural damage. When local weather stations warn of impending storms, there are a number of actions a person should take to protect their life and property. People and animals should be moved indoors, away from windows if possible. The electronics must be disconnected so that there is no chance of them being damaged by power surges.
An important step to take before the storms arrive is to move all living things inside. Pets, livestock and family members all need to be under sufficient shelter to stay dry, warm and protected from the elements. However, standing under the tallest object in an open area, like a tree on a golf course, is never a good idea. Lightning tends to strike the highest point that will carry the electric charge to the ground. A covered picnic pavilion or the inside of a car would be much safer during storms than a tree or open field.
The same precautions a person would take for any severe weather event apply to thunderstorms. A weather radio with battery backup should be turned on for regular updates on the storm’s location and intensity. Battery-operated candles or lamps should be readily available in the event of a power outage. Family members should stay on the lower levels of the house and stay away from windows. Severe storms often result in significant numbers of lightning and severe thunder, so younger children and pets may need extra attention until the storm subsides.
Many people who own consumer electronic devices like home computers, stereo systems, DVD players, and so on should already have those devices plugged into a surge protector-equipped power strip, but there are those who don’t. During thunderstorms, a lightning strike to a nearby power line can cause a temporary surge in the electricity flowing into household outlets. A surge protector should automatically detect and filter this extra energy, but appliances plugged directly into unprotected outlets can be damaged. Before a thunderstorm arrives, a person should completely disconnect all unnecessary electrical appliances and electronic equipment that is not protected by a surge protector.
Some homeowners invest in lightning grounding systems to protect their property during a thunderstorm. If lightning strikes your home, a grounding wire will draw electricity to a remote part of the property. Installing a properly grounded lightning rod can also discourage lightning from striking your roof or a nearby tree.
Fortunately, most thunderstorms leave distinctive images on modern weather radar systems, so forecasters can generally warn onlookers of a dangerous storm’s expected path and intensity. Some radar systems can even detect individual lightning strikes within a storm system and warn specific areas of potential danger. However, the time to take precautions is long before the storm actually arrives. Once lightning begins to strike an area, it may be too late to prevent electronic equipment from being damaged.
If a driver cannot find suitable shelter or get out of a dangerous storm system, staying in the car would not be a bad idea. A car would act as a Faraday cage during a lightning strike, meaning that electrical energy would be directed around the car’s exterior, yet the occupants would remain safe and isolated. The main goal during a heavy rainstorm is not to be the highest target in the area and to stay away from natural conductors such as standing water or metal fences.
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