If there’s one thing that unites Floridians, It’s the love (or disdain) for our hot and humid weather! There’s definitely some lovers and haters when it comes time to discuss the forecasts, but it’s always a great topic which leads to some interesting insight! Whether we complain about the rain on Tuesday, enjoy the beach on Saturday with a nice sunny day, or see some winds blow in, we are always chatting about the weather patterns that always change! Florida, unpredictable and always fun, right?
In our five-part blog series, we will bring awareness to some severe weather including our crazy friend, lightning!
Believe it or not, lightning is one of nature’s most unpredictable and deadliest natural phenomena. Lightning strikes the ground in the U.S. almost 200 million times each year and continues to be among the top weather-related killers in the United States. While meteorologists can predict the general conditions that lead to lightning, no one can predict the exact location or time of the next lightning strike. Imagine how great this would be if they could?
Florida regularly leads the nation in lightning strikes each year. With more than 14 million lightning strikes (in cloud and cloud to ground) recorded in 2021, Florida ranks first in average lightning strikes per square mile. Why does the sunshine state have this distinction? It’s due to our geographic location being in the tropics! Since we are heading into summer, be prepared to see more lightning as heat, rain, and humidity make lightning strike more frequently!
One characteristic that makes lightning so dangerous is its massive range. Lightning can strike 10 miles or more away from the thunderstorm core, making it the first storm hazard to arrive and the last to leave. While it may not be raining at your location, lightning can still reach you. When someone mentions a “Bolt from the Blue”, they refer to a lightning bolt that travels a large distance in clear air, often away from a thunderstorm, which strikes the ground hard. These bolts appear to come from a clear blue sky, which can be most dangerous because it’s even more unpredictable being away from its parent storm. In addition, once the lightning strike hits the ground, it can travel up to 60 feet outward from the point of contact.
Other major characteristics that make lightning so dangerous is its power, heat and speed. The average lightning bolt carries 100 million volts of electrical potential, can range from 5000 °F to 50,000°F and can be more lethal than an electrified fence. What is also interesting is that lightning can strike the same place twice. Talk about crazy!
Florida often has the greatest number of lightning fatalities each year in the United States. Lightning is often seen as an underrated killer because it does not generate as much attention compared to other forms of hazardous weather like hurricanes. Most people that are struck by lightning are not killed but suffer significant injuries. On average, lightning kills 49 people each year in the United States and injures hundreds of others. Florida averages 7 fatalities per year due to lightning and often leads the nation in lightning deaths.
Whew, with so many facts about lighting whizzing by, it is hard to keep up! If there is one thing we are asked when talking about insurance, it is this:
Is There Lightning Insurance?
Specifically speaking, there may not be a lightning only insurance product. The good news about your Homeowner’s insurance is that lightning is usually covered as a natural hazard and you can have protection from this unpredictable, and deadly, phenomenon! Speak to your agent about what homeowners’ policies are the right fit for your home, location, and weather hazard risk!
Always remember that we are here to help answer any questions you may have when it comes to all things insurance! Drop us a line at service@harrisinsurance.com or call us at 850.244.2111
LEGAL DISCLAIMER
Views expressed here do not constitute legal advice. The information contained herein is for general guidance of matter only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. Discussion of insurance policy language is descriptive only. Every policy has different policy language. Coverage afforded under any insurance policy issued is subject to individual policy terms and conditions. Please refer to your policy for the actual language.
