Lightning is a natural phenomenon that is extremely dangerous and can be seriously damaging to Boca Raton real estate if the property is unprotected and homeowners are unprepared.
Florida’s Electric Weather Surpasses All Others
Florida is unmatched in the amount of electric weather that it experiences when compared to the other states. In fact, the Sunshine State ranks at the top of all U.S. states when it comes to the number of lightning strikes that actually hit the ground and the number deaths caused by lightning.
On average, there are approximately 1.45 million lightning strikes each year with most strikes recorded in the Central region. Although the entire state of Florida is considered high risk, the most dangerous area begins at St. Augustine and runs south to Lake Okeechobee across to both the east and west coasts. This puts Boca Raton real estate properties right in the middle of the danger zone.
The Far-Reaching Effects of Lightning on Boca Raton Real Estate
People generally think lightning damage only happens at the point of contact where the lightning actually strikes. What they may not know is that the electrical current from the lightning strike actually can travel through conductive elements and cause damage far from the actual striking point.
In Boca Raton real estate, a lightning current pulse can use the home’s structure, cables, and underground pipes and wiring to continue to travel. Experts report the initial lightning impulse is so strong that damage can occur to equipment located a mile or more from where the lightning strike hit.
How Lightning Damages Boca Raton Real Estate
Homeowners of Boca Raton real estate most often report damage to their equipment inside the home although they may not even know where the lightning struck. In these instances, the lightning probably struck power and communications lines somewhere down the road and the surge continued directly into the Boca Raton real estate home and its equipment.
Another way Boca Raton real estate may experience damage is when lightning strikes nearby objects, such as trees, flagpoles, or signs. The close proximity to the Boca Raton real estate is enough to cause damage even if it is not directly connected to the house. The lightning strike can radiate a strong electromagnetic field that is picked up by the wiring in the Boca Raton real estate property, which then produces large voltages that can damage equipment.
A direct lightning strike to Boca Raton real estate is very rare. If it does happen it can severely damage most electronic equipment in Boca Raton real estate and even start a fire if there isn’t a lightning protection system (LPS) in place.
Where Lightning Strikes Hit Boca Raton Real Estate
The places Boca Raton real estate is most likely to be hit by lightning are:
- roofs
- antennas
- power lines
- tree touching the property
Preventative Protections Recommended for Boca Raton Real Estate
To protect Boca Raton real estate from damaging lightning strikes, the following protections are recommended by the Lightning Protection Institute:
- Lightning rods: Place 20 feet apart on the roof’s high points
- Lightning arresters: Will help protect equipment, appliances, and wiring from powerline surges
- Grounding Rods: Place a minimum of two half-inch diameter copper-clad rods ten feet deep in clay soil. In sand, gravel, or rocky soil, special grounding may be necessary.
- Tree Protection: Ground trees with copper rods for any tree taller than the house and within 10 feet
