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Ronnie Glass sat on the porch watching the clouds roll in. She could hear the rumbling thunder of the approaching storm on the other side of the lake.

She thought she had plenty of time. But out of what she thought was a safe sky came a bolt of lightning that split a nearby tree. She was lucky. The dropped limb didn’t damage her property and she learned a new level of respect for storms.

“I’ve always watched storms in wonderment,” she said. “They can be so beautiful. But they are also powerful and dangerous. I couldn't get inside fast enough. I have a lot more respect for them now.”

According to the National Weather Service, on average 26 people were killed by lightning strikes in the United States each year in the last decade.

Greater lightning awareness has led to the numbers coming down slightly. In 2019, there were 20 direct lightning fatalities, the lowest since record-keeping began in 1941.

Lightning can strike 5 to 10 miles from a thunderstorm. The Insurance Information Institute (III) offers the "30/30 Rule" for personal safety:

• If it takes less than 30 seconds after you see lightning to hear the thunder, you should get indoors and stay there for 30 minutes.

Lightning Strikes Becoming More Costly

According to III, the number of homeowners insurance claims from lightning strikes in the United States also fell in 2019. But, the average cost insurers paid on those claims increased by 11 percent between 2017 and 2019.

The average State Farm claim increased to $11,500 (up from $10,400). The rise is due in part to more “smart homes” and their interconnected electronic systems. If lighting strikes the network, it can damage scores of devices and appliances at once.

Ways to protect your home:

• Install a lightning protection system. You may receive a credit on your homeowners insurance. According to Underwriters Laboratories, 99 percent are effective in preventing lightning damage. The components include:
  • Lightning rods – divert the strike of the lightning from the home directly into the ground.
  • Surge protectors – adding surge protectors can help keep appliances and electronics safe.
• If you're home when as a storm hits, unplug electronics and appliances. (Do not attempt to unplug electronics/appliances during the height a storm.)
• Check your homeowners insurance policy. Not all insurance plans are the same. Make sure yours will cover damage done to your home and/or appliances and electronics.

Be Safe. When thunder roars, go indoors!

• Never stand under a tree during a lightning storm.
• If you can't get indoors, seek lowest level of elevation as possible.
• Stay away from anything metal – bleachers, golf clubs, fencing, etc.
• Immediately get out of bodies of water – showers, lakes, rivers, pools.
• Always seek an indoor shelter; if no other options, a car with the windows rolled up will keep you safe.
• Stay away from doors, windows, and appliances. Use of a cell phone is safe.

She thought she had plenty of time. But out of what she thought was a safe sky came a bolt of lightning that split a nearby tree. She was lucky. The dropped limb didn’t damage her property and she learned a new level of respect for storms.

“I’ve always watched storms in wonderment,” she said. “They can be so beautiful. But they are also powerful and dangerous. I couldn't get inside fast enough. I have a lot more respect for them now.”

According to the National Weather Service, on average 26 people were killed by lightning strikes in the United States each year in the last decade.

Greater lightning awareness has led to the numbers coming down slightly. In 2019, there were 20 direct lightning fatalities, the lowest since record-keeping began in 1941.

Lightning can strike 5 to 10 miles from a thunderstorm. The Insurance Information Institute (III) offers the "30/30 Rule" for personal safety:

• If it takes less than 30 seconds after you see lightning to hear the thunder, you should get indoors and stay there for 30 minutes.

Lightning Strikes Becoming More Costly

According to III, the number of homeowners insurance claims from lightning strikes in the United States also fell in 2019. But, the average cost insurers paid on those claims increased by 11 percent between 2017 and 2019.

The average State Farm claim increased to $11,500 (up from $10,400). The rise is due in part to more “smart homes” and their interconnected electronic systems. If lighting strikes the network, it can damage scores of devices and appliances at once.

Ways to protect your home:

• Install a lightning protection system. You may receive a credit on your homeowners insurance. According to Underwriters Laboratories, 99 percent are effective in preventing lightning damage. The components include:
  • Lightning rods – divert the strike of the lightning from the home directly into the ground.
  • Surge protectors – adding surge protectors can help keep appliances and electronics safe.
• If you're home when a storm hits, unplug electronics and appliances. (Do not attempt to unplug electronics/appliances during the height a storm.)
• Check your homeowners insurance policy. Not all insurance plans are the same. Make sure yours will cover damage done to your home and/or appliances and electronics.

Be Safe. When thunder roars, go indoors!

• Never stand under a tree during a lightning storm.
• If you can't get indoors, seek the lowest level of elevation possible.
• Stay away from anything metal – bleachers, golf clubs, fencing, etc.
• Immediately get out of bodies of water – showers, lakes, rivers, pools.
• Always seek an indoor shelter; if no other options, a car with the windows rolled up will keep you safe.
• Stay away from doors, windows, and appliances. Use of a cell phone is safe.

Although lightning is weather-related, and not a preventable event, opportunities exist for claim mitigation. Damage is generally caused by power surges carried by electrical wiring, TV cable, or phone lines serving the home or business and usually involve one or more electronic items. Use surge or current protection devices and appropriate grounding systems as most claims are surge or power related.

In 2016 there were 38 lightning deaths in the United States, compared with 26 in 2015 and 2014. From 2006 to 2016, on average, about 31 people died each year from lightning strikes in the United States, according to the National Weather Service. Florida had the most lightning deaths in 2016 with nine, followed by four in Louisiana and New York, according to statistics from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Mississippi reported three deaths, and Alabama, Colorado, Michigan, North Carolina and Texas had two lightning deaths. Arizona, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia and Wisconsin each reported one death.

• Number of lightning-related homeowners insurance claims up in 2016, but severity down.
• Top 10 states for the number of lightning strikes: FL, TX, GA, LA, NC, CA, AL, IL, AR, VA.

See the Insurance Information Institute (III) Lightning Awareness Week press release for State Farm lightning claims statistics by year and state. 

Interesting Lightning Facts, Tips and Resources from Leading Organizations

The National Weather Service (NOAA/NWS)

• Taking shelter under trees is dangerous. Recent studies of lightning victims showed several highly-vulnerable situations and activities. But the one that stood out was taking shelter under trees.

• National Weather Service lightning safety media resources.

• Visit the NOAA website to learn how to stay safe and get insight into the science of lightning. You'll find animated books about lightning, safety tips for all kinds of situations, games for kids and resources for teachers. You'll learn about lightning victims and survivors. 

Insurance Information Institute (III)

• Lightning infographic

• Lightning facts with State Farm claim statistics

The Weather Channel

• Lightning temperature: up to 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit

• Number of times lightning hits the Earth per second: 100 (an estimated 8,640,000 times a day)

• Distance lightning can strike away from a thunderstorm: 5-10 miles

• 75% of U.S. lightning deaths occur in June, July, and August

• Lightning causes 30,000 house fires in U.S. per year

• Central Florida leads the nation in lightning strikes. Meteorologists have dubbed an area stretching from Tampa to Titusville as “Lightning Alley”. This is because several times a year abundant moisture in the atmosphere combines with high surface temperatures to produce strong sea breezes and violent summer storms.

Lightning Protection Institute

• Consumer Alert: The Dangers of Shoddy Lightning Protection System Installations

• 30% of U.S. businesses suffer damage from lightning storms.

• 85% of lightning victims are children and young men ages 10-35 engaged in recreation or work.

• 20% of lightning strike victims die and 70% of survivors suffer serious long-term effects.

Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH)

• Lightning is an underrated danger and the second leading cause of storm-related deaths in the U.S., exceeded only by floods.

• Lightning can travel 90,000 miles per second.

Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS)

• A whole-house surge protector is the best starting point for reducing the risk of damage or a fire.

• Install additional protection for important or expensive electronic equipment. This should include localized surge protection for power cords to electronic equipment and any telephone and cable/satellite TV lines connecting to the equipment.

• Whole house surge protection will not protect you from a direct strike on your house. For added protection from a direct strike, you would need to add receptors on the roof and cables that would help direct the strike away from the interior of your house.

• IBHS: Lightning Storm Time Lapse

Underwriter Laboratories

• Lightning strikes the U.S. 25 million times a year on average. This causes an estimated $1 billion per year in structural damages in the United States alone. This does not include the large costs associated with loss of business, downtime and liability.

• Adding a lightning protection system to a building increases protection from physical damage and reduces the possibility of fire. Many insurers now require the installation of lightning protection systems. This is found in commercial buildings, schools, hospitals, historic landmarks and public venues.

Generac

• Severe weather storms can produce hail, wind gusts, heavy rain, and lightning. These can cause flash flooding, wind damage, downed trees and utility lines and widespread power outages. Be prepared!