Severe Thunderstorms in Atlanta
Severe Thunderstorms in Atlanta
July and August are peak months for electrical storms in Atlanta. The build up of heat and humidity is the fuel for cumulonimbus thunderhead clouds we know as thunderstorms. As you get further into the summer, storms tend to form later in the day or even late at night and move more slowly. This often produces flooding and lots of lightning. With this summer being one of the hottest summers in Atlanta in recent history, thunderstorms have been abundant.
Lightning is a real danger and should not be underestimated. Georgia ranks in the top 10 for lighting fatalities in the US coming in at number nine. If you are outside and hear thunder, you are in danger of being hit by lightning. Lightning in the clouds often comes before lightning on the ground. It can precede ground lightning by anywhere from five to thirty minutes. Therefore, if you see lightning flashes or streaks in the sky, it is an early warning to go indoors immediately. Don’t wait to hear thunder or the first vertical bolt.
Most people who are struck by lightning are not hit directly, but take an indirect hit when it strikes a tall object nearby and travels to reach someone. Trees and telephone poles are often targets of lightning strikes and should be avoided during a thunderstorm.
Lightning not only poses a risk to people, but can also cause significant damage to homes and buildings. A lightning strike to your home or office building can be terrifying and can cause significant damage to the roof and structure. Homes and buildings can also be severely damaged when trees that are struck by lightning fall onto a nearby structure.
If your home or commercial building suffers damage due to a thunderstorm, be sure to notify your insurance agent immediately and to document the damage with photos. Use only a licensed and experienced roofing professional to inspect your roof for damage or to repair any damage to your roof. Most credible roofing contractors will help with your roofing insurance claim.
