What Makes a Thunderstorm So Dangerous? | SERVPRO® of Van Nuys South

5/6/2021 (Permalink)

Thunderstorms can pop up at any moment. Contact SERVPRO of Van Nuys South if you experience any damage.

California sees its fair share of beautiful weather, but we also see our share of inclement weather. Thunderstorms are common for this time of year, but some can be more dangerous than others.

What aspects go into the level of damage a storm can do? It varies from high winds to lightning to flooding, but ultimately it’s dependent on two main factors that turn the storm into a “severe” thunderstorm.

A thunderstorm is classified as a storm that has thunder, and since thunder is a byproduct of lightning, this is necessary to the makeup of the storm as well.

For a storm to be considered a severe thunderstorm, it has to have both hail and high winds in addition to lightning and thunder. The winds in a severe storm are at least 58 miles per hour and the hail is at least one inch in diameter.

3 Major Players in the Severity of a Thunderstorm

Damage from lightning strikes. Lightning strikes are certainly one of the most dangerous elements of thunderstorms, and it is reported that they cause around 300 injuries every year. This is not even factoring in the damage that lightning causes to property, specifically in the way of starting house fires and causing trees and limbs to fall on permanent structures.

Damage due to hail. Due to the size and speed of hail, it can cause damage to almost anything it impacts. In a severe storm, the hail is an inch in diameter or larger and it can bust windshields and dent unsheltered cars, put holes in shingles of a roof, and cause injuries to people, pets and livestock that are not adequately covered.

Flooding. Flash floods can occur any time under the right conditions, even if you’re not in a designated area that is prone to flooding. Even without the heaviest of rains, if a storm drain isn’t working properly or a small ditch by the road overflows with water, the roadway can quickly become flooded and be a very serious hazard for drivers.

Thunderstorms are capable of causing serious damage to homes or commercial spaces. If your property has damage due to a thunderstorm, you can contact us ²⁴⁄₇ for more information about our storm restoration practices.