Attachment 109621To re-cap, if the storm conditions are right and your house has the highest ground charge, your home will be hit, no question. The only thing lightning rods do is when the strike occurs, they will have the highest charge on your home and the lightning will strike the rods and not your roof. When lightning strikes your roof 99.9% or the time it will blow a hole in your roof, starting a fire, and ricochet around your attic like a bullet destroying everything in it's path looking for earth ground. Lightning rods don't attract lightning, your neighbors rods or tall trees won't protect your home and everyone around you will get an induced power surge destroying their electronic devices if they don't have adequate surge protection.
Getting hit by lightning is a low probability but here in Central Florida, the lightning capital of the USA, the risk is still low but great enough to be aware. Remember, lightning is unpredictable so although it may only strike and destroy a small number of homes, you will never know it that one stike will hit your home and if it does you will have that life changing experience recovering from it. It all comes down to your tolerance for risk. If you have a high tolerance, then do nothing and take your chances. If you have a lower tolerance for risk then spend the $2,000-$3,000 for a system and sleep better at night. Either way, it's important to be Aware of the facts so you can make an informed decision that suits your specific tolerance for risk.
Again, these people decided to take their chances and did nothing.