The Dangerous Elements a Thunderstorm Contains | SERVPRO® of Anniston, Gadsden and Marshall County

5/7/2021 (Permalink)

Thunderstorms can pop up at any moment. Contact SERVPRO of Anniston, Gadsden and Marshall today if you are dealing with any damage.

Though they occur quite often when the weather is warmer, thunderstorms are a serious weather occurrence every single time.

It is easy to grow complacent about the threats they cause, but every thunderstorm should always be taken seriously. Between lightning, hail, high winds and flooding risks, there are many serious threats a thunderstorm can pose.

Thunderstorms are classified as such because they contain thunder and lightning every time they occur, even if you do not hear claps or see strikes. When a thunderstorm is considered severe, it will contain winds over 58 miles per hour and hail larger than one inch, making it an even more threatening event.

The Threats That Occur During a Thunderstorm

Damage and injury from lightning strikes. Lightning strikes are extremely dangerous, and because they are an element of every single thunderstorm, it is highly likely that one will strike during every storm. Lightning is responsible for at least 300 bodily injuries every year, which does not include the property damage they can cause due to felled trees and fires. Even if it is not visible, any time you can hear thunder, there is lightning in the vicinity.

Property damage due to hail. Hail is an interesting phenomenon, as it can fall even when the surface temperature is quite high. Not only is hail frightening due to the noise that it makes, but it is also extremely dangerous. Large hail can cause injury to anyone that is without shelter when it comes through, and it can also dent cars and cause water damage to homes by impacting roofs and creating vulnerabilities in siding.

Harm from flash flooding. While flooding might be something people are not concerned with if they do not live near a body of water, the frequency with which flash flooding occurs is quite surprising. Flash flooding can occur during periods of heavy rain for many reasons, such as backed up storm drains or overwhelmed drainage ditches. Floodwaters can be extremely hazardous, carrying away cars and sweeping people off of their feet.

Thunderstorms are dangerous and can cause significant damage to homes or commercial spaces. If you have damage due to a thunderstorm, you can count on us to help. Contact us ²⁴⁄₇ for more information about our storm restoration practices.