What to Expect When a Thunderstorm Strikes | SERVPRO of South Bronx

5/7/2021 (Permalink)

Lighting Rain Storm

We don’t know about you, but we’re pretty delighted to be welcoming warmer weather! After months of sometimes-bitter cold and frozen precipitation, warm days and sunshine are a refreshing change of pace.

But while those brighter days feel amazing—and are a reminder that summer days (and outdoor time) are straight ahead—they also bring with them an increased risk of thunderstorms.

We don’t usually think of thunderstorms as being particularly dangerous, but that’s precisely why they can be dangerous. Since storms are common, we often let down our guard, which can leave us unprepared for the dangers.

What is a thunderstorm exactly? It’s exactly what it sounds like! A thunderstorm is a storm that contains thunder. And that also means it contains lightning, since thunder and lightning are always paired together, even if you can’t see the lightning.

Many of these storms are mild, but thunderstorms can also be upgraded to severe status in certain conditions. This occurs when winds reach over 58 miles per hour and hail is an inch or larger in diameter.

The Damages Thunderstorm Can Cause

Damage and injury from lightning strikes. Fun fact: The thunder you hear during thunderstorms is actually caused by lightning. That lightning can also be pretty dangerous. More than 300 injuries annually are reported due to lightning strikes, and strikes can also cause property damage.

Property damage due to hail. You probably know that hail is not always a part of thunderstorms. But it is fairly common. Hail forms in the cold parts of thunderstorm clouds, essentially forming dangerous ice pellets that can cause injury or destruction. These pellets can vary in size, and when they’re large, they can damage cars and homes, along with people or pets who are unable to seek cover in time.

Harm from flash flooding. While driving in flash flood conditions isn’t a danger for many of us who use public transit, it’s still something to be aware of. Flash flooding is often a result of overwhelmed drainage systems, meaning it can impact nearly any area and come about suddenly. Once water piles up, even as little as an inch can make it difficult to walk and dangerous to drive.

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.