Lightning strikes have not increased! The change is, the number of targets! The strikes used to hit empty acreage.

No, the one home of mine that was struck was in MD. The second home I mentioned, which was not mine, was also in MD. The third was, as I wrote, in WA state.

I always wanted to say that. :icon_wink:

So you can't point to even two posts.

Assuming you are referring to me, I have no desire to convince anyone of anything. I don't have a LPS at the moment but I might by the end of the year. I have NEVER stated, directly or indirectly, that a LPS shouldn't be installed.

What I HAVE stated is the misinformation, bad statistics, and scary pictures feel like a hard push to increase sales. I don't know if that is the intent and I have written that I would give the benefit of the doubt, but that is the way it feels.

What I am particularly interested in is challenging this misinformation and bad statistics. Everyone should decide for themselves whether they want a LPS but they should make that decision based on good data, not scary pictures.

That's even worse, odds of being struck by lightning don't look good in this case scenario.

And the mission of the Villages Lightning Study Group is to do just that. To provide factual information, dispute myths and create awareness so Villagers can make their own decisions to reduce the risk or not. Unfortunately, lightning strike pictures are scary but they are also reality.

I'm not aware of any other groups here in the Villages creating awareness on Lightning and Surge Protection unless you know of any?

I mentioned this in a previous post about the LPS. Years ago in a previous house we had to get a new roof due to hail damage that our insurance company was paying for. Since lightening was very bad in the area we asked our insurance company if getting lightening protection was a good idea. They told us that they do NOT recommend that people put them on their houses, so we elected not to. I'm neither for or against them but perhaps for those on the fence about getting them...give your insurance company a call and see what they say.

Not sure why the insurance company said that and it's "convenient" they didn't give you a reason but in speaking with a Batterbee representative they told me installation of a LPS will not void the roof warranty if installed properly which is why you need to have a LPI or UL certified installer. There are thousands of installations here in the Villages and I'm not aware of any roof issues. It also might depend on what state you live in as well.

It's always good to learn what insurance companies view as worthwhile or not. Their very business, and what they do all day, is assess these risks. So, they have more detailed info than any of us posting here.

But, did you not ask the all-important question of WHY they don't recommend it? The details are relevant for having a better understanding of this issue.

Well I'm gonna keep playing the lottery, and now that we're in Florida, gonna see which hits first, lightning or the lottery!

This page and the next page provide a nice visual look at relative risks. You can see that although Miami - Fort Lauderdale get reported for the highest city risks, the activity levels in Sumter and its surrounding counties rank among the highest in the nation. Florida leads in deaths by lightning.

[EDIT] page forward to the lightning maps. They are interactive, too, so you can look by county.

Maybe someone can contact Vaisala to see if there is public access to their database, if you want to get raw data for risk calculations.

BTW. Some of the posters need to understand that "lightning" is two syllables, not three. So stop inserting an "e" into "lightning". You are turning it into a word describing a weight reducing activity!

We live about a half mile from the house struck in the original post.

Saturday evening's storm was the biggest electrical storm I've ever personally witnessed, not in terms of wind and rain, but of intensity, proximity, and duration. Usually storms just pass over.

Monday evening's storm dumped much more rain, but Saturday's lightning seemed to stall right on top of us.

It made an impression.

Still not ready for an LPS, but we are having whole house surge suppression installed next week; an Eaton Ultra on the panel, and the appropriate devices outside for the AC compressor, and pool panel.

It's not very expensive and seems like a reasonable precaution to take against reasonable risks.

I'm not against LPS at all. However, I'm against the constant nagging of scare-mongers who insist that everyone needs to have LPS or face certain death and destruction. Every year during the hurricane season it's thread after thread after thread, post after post after post, and it is more pervasive than the actual risk of lightning.

Root cause.... ?
 

Don't know if this has been mentioned but, I "heard" that a major contributor to the subsequent damage is that gas lines run through the attics. If the home is the unfortunate receiver of a lightening strike, it is highly likely that the gas line will ignite and fire is the result....

Don't quote me... :jester:

What jealousy would be involved?
The thought process?
The house that went up in flames, nowhere nearby, and you had LPS, but didn’t know if your house was hit?
Didn’t research other than the two contractors posted, found another would install sooner to put mind at ease?

Because it can’t be about the money….it less $ than the cruise that all residents frequent.

For two coastal homes, LPS was an option at build, and was actually less than 1/2 of kitchen appliances. Truthfully 2’ higher stilts would have better money spent. ⚡️ is on the low points after the hurricanes and flooding.

Insurance allows credit for silting, but nothing for LPS.
Sailboat can’t use LPS. However insurance if protected with other ⚡️options does give a decent credit discount.

In the 18 years in TV and 5 different homes and villages, we have considered LPS, and other options. But once you have a hurricane claim in TV, all other weather events seem less concerning.
We have ability to tap into weather related studies for different lightning avenues. Just awaiting results

I spent my whole life in Fort Lauderdale , there was plenty of lightning, and I never saw a lightning rod protectors on a house in my entire life there. I would really be curious if there was any house in the villages WITH lightning protection that still got struck.

The manufacturer of the CSST gas lines used here recommends a LPS for installation in some states including FL.

The CSST gas lines contacted by lightning often develop small perforations, around 100 mils wide, in the wall of the tubing when the lightning arcs from the CSST to an adjacent object.

This arcing burns a hole in the CSST which causes a gas leak and, in many cases, ignition of the gas which leads to a house fire.

https://www.gastite.com/downloads/pd...e_di_guide.pdf

ALL OWNERS should consult a lightning safety consultant to determine whether installation of a lightning protection system would be required to achieve sufficient protection for all building components from lightning.

Factors to consider include whether the area is prone to lightning. Areas with high lightning risk include but are not limited to: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, lowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexi-co, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia.

One currently available source of information regarding areas more prone to lighting than others is the flash density map provided by the National Weather Service which can be found at http://www.lightningsafety.noaa. gov/lightning_map.htm.

Lightning protection systems are beyond the scope of this manual and installation guidelines, but are covered by National Fire Protection Association, NFPA 780, the Standard for the Installation of Lightning Protection Systems, and other standards.

Ok, so this just happened to me Monday night. Lightning strike did not appear to be a direct hit or I cannot find any holes anywhere for entry but it did come into the house blowing all my LED cabinet lights, sprinkler controller, smart WiFi wall switch, one computer monitor, cable modem as well as separate WiFi modem, LED attic light, garage door opener, microwave oven, and lastly the flexible gas supply hose on the gas stove (see pic). I was in the house when it happened and had neighbors texting me did your house get hit. Another resident in our village had a similar hit on their stove gas supply line about a month ago. I will be calling Duke to get their surge protection at the meter. I do not think from what I have read on here that lightning rods would have helped since it was not a direct hit?

At a rate of 12 hits per year, it will take 58 years for lightning to hit 1% of the Villages 70,000 roofs.

But I will not be here to celebrate the milestone.

I don't have the answer for that but am sorry for the damage you have suffered in your home. Happy that you weren't injured with that strike and good luck with the damage. You may want the privacy so if you don't want to share the information, I understand.. may I ask which Village these two lightning incidences occurred?

So they are still attaching the LPS to roofs with square nails? :22yikes: Per AI:Advancements in Lightning Protection Systems (LPS) over the past two decades
Over the past 20 years, Lightning Protection Systems (LPS) have undergone significant advancements, particularly in their ability to monitor and potentially mitigate the effects of lightning strikes, moving beyond simply diverting the strike to the ground. Key changes and improvements include:
Move towards proactive lightning prevention: Instead of only channeling lightning to the ground, newer technologies like the CMCE Lightning Suppressor aim to proactively neutralize the atmospheric charge buildup that causes lightning, preventing strikes altogether.
Emphasis on internal building protection: LPS standards now incorporate measures to safeguard internal building functions and sensitive electronic equipment from power surges, electromagnetic pulses, and potential damage caused by lightning strikes, according to the Lightning Protection Institute.
Enhanced monitoring and maintenance: Modern LPS systems are incorporating AI and IoT for features like:
Predictive Maintenance: Analyzing lightning patterns and weather data to forecast risks and schedule proactive maintenance.
Autonomous Optimization: Self-calibrating grounding systems based on real-time environmental data.
Fault Diagnostics: Identifying potential vulnerabilities or degradation within the LPS, reducing the need for manual inspections.
Improved Testing and Inspection Methods: Drones are being used to enhance safety and efficiency in LPS testing, allowing for faster and more cost-effective inspections, especially in hard-to-reach areas like wind turbines.
Integration with broader safety and construction practices: There's a growing awareness of the need to integrate LPS design and installation with other building systems and construction processes for optimal safety and performance.
Refined standards and best practices: Organizations like the NFPA have updated standards like NFPA 780 to reflect the advancements in lightning protection, emphasizing comprehensive protection for structures and their internal systems.
These advancements reflect a growing understanding of lightning's multifaceted impact and the potential to move beyond traditional methods to actively prevent and monitor potential lightning damage, thereby improving safety and protecting valuable infrastructure and technology.

I have read in previous threads on this topic that some villagers have had the gas line in their attic replaced with a type that can’t be punctured by lightning. I don’t remember the details though. I think we’ll look into that option before we’ll consider a LPS installation.

Another option could be to replace gas appliances with electric and remove/cap off the iron gas line into the attic.

With a direct or nearby strike strong enough to cause damage, insulation in appliances or the homes wiring could be degraded.

There's risk at some point the insulation could degrade over time enough to arc and start a fire.

There are devices like Ting designed to provide early warning and prevent fires. Some insurance companies provide them at no charge.

Ting - Electrical Fire Safety, Simplified - Smart+Proactive=Prevention

Lightning Strikes: Florida is known as the "Lightning Capital" of the United States due to frequent thunderstorms. The state experiences millions of lightning strikes annually. While not every strike hits a house directly, statistically, about 1 in 200 homes in the U.S. will be struck by lightning each year. This risk is even higher in Florida compared to other states due to the prevalence of storms.
Winning the Lottery: The odds of winning a major lottery jackpot like Powerball are astronomically low, approximately 1 in 292.2 million. The odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot are similar, at 1 in 302.6 million.
In summary
You are much more likely to have your house struck by lightning in Florida than to win a major lottery jackpot.
While the odds of a lightning strike on a specific house in a given year are still low (around 1 in 200), they are significantly higher than the odds of winning the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot (around 1 in 292 million to 1 in 302 million respectively).
It's important to remember that these are statistical probabilities. Taking precautions like installing a lightning protection system can further reduce the risk of a lightning strike damaging your home.

So, if you live south of Rt44 with a gas house, your home will have improved flexible gas tubing but even with this, if you read the manufacturers web site under the warrenty, it states if you live in Florida, Texas and several other states where lightning is a problem, they recommend you consult with a Lightning Protection company. Meaning, while the chances of a gas fire from a Lightning Strike have been reduced with this improved tubing, there is still a chance that it will fail from a lightning event.

The only way to reduce the risk to near zero is to have a lightning protection system installed or replace all your flexible gas piping with solid black pipe. Replacing your flexible pipe with solid black pipe will cost way more than a LPS but without a LPS you still have the risk of lightning striking and causing a fire, just the gas pipe failure will not be a problem.

This is what Grok on my Tesla tells me :smiley:

The odds of your home in The Villages, Florida, being hit by lightning are influenced by the area's high lightning activity, dense housing, and local conditions. Here’s a detailed assessment based on available data:

Florida’s Lightning Capital: Florida has the highest lightning strike density in the U.S., with an average of 25.3 cloud-to-ground strikes per square mile per year (1997–2018 data). The Villages, located in central Florida (Sumter, Lake, and Marion Counties), is in a particularly lightning-prone region, often cited as part of the "Lightning Alley" from Tampa to Orlando.
The Villages’ Lightning History: The Villages has a notable history of lightning strikes. Since 2004, at least 21 homes have been destroyed by lightning-related fires, with 11 strikes reported in the 12 months prior to August 2025. Additionally, a 2024 forum post noted an average of 6–8 lightning strikes on homes per year in The Villages over the past five years. This suggests a higher-than-average risk for residential properties due to the community’s size (over 80,000 homes) and exposure.

General Odds for a Specific Home: The National Weather Service estimates the odds of a specific home being struck by lightning in a given year at roughly 1 in 200,000 to 1 in 1,000,000 nationally. However, in high-risk areas like The Villages, the probability is likely closer to the higher end. A 2022 article from **************.com stated that the chance of a home being struck by lightning is greater than winning the lottery (approximately 1 in 300 million for a major jackpot), suggesting a rough annual probability of around 1 in 10,000 to 1 in 50,000 for a home in The Villages, though exact figures depend on local conditions.
Local Factors:

Geography and Density: The Villages’ flat terrain and dense housing increase the likelihood of strikes hitting homes rather than open land. A 2024 forum post speculated that the compact development pattern contributes to higher strike rates.

Construction: Many homes in The Villages have metallic elements (e.g., gas lines in attics), which may increase fire risk after a strike. Homes without lightning protection systems are more vulnerable to damage.

Recent Incidents: Examples include a home destroyed in the Village of Winifred (May 2025), a fire in the Village of Summerhill (July 2025), and a strike in the Village of DeLuna (August 2025), indicating frequent lightning-related damage.


Cumulative Risk: Over a 30-year period, assuming an annual probability of 1 in 50,000, the cumulative chance of your home being struck could be approximately 0.06% (1 in 1,667). If the annual risk is closer to 1 in 10,000 due to The Villages’ high strike rate, the 30-year probability rises to about 0.3% (1 in 333). These are rough estimates, as precise odds depend on your home’s specific location within The Villages (e.g., proximity to open fields or tall trees).

Mitigation: Installing a lightning protection system (LPS) certified by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or the Lightning Protection Institute can significantly reduce damage risk, though it doesn’t prevent strikes. About 18% of lightning-related fires in The Villages are linked to work-related activities or unprotected structures, suggesting that proper grounding and surge protection can lower risks.

Recommendation: For a more precise estimate, share your home’s specific village (e.g., Village of Charlotte, Winifred) or nearby features (e.g., golf courses, tall trees). You can also monitor local lightning activity using tools like WeatherBug’s lightning tracker for The Villages. To stay safe, follow the “When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors” guideline and consider consulting a lightning expert like Len Hathaway, who offers safety tips in The Villages.

If you want, I can search for more specific data on recent strikes in your area or analyze any additional details you provide about your home!15 𝕏 posts25 web pages7.3sHow can Grok help?

Thank you for your post. At our house across from LSL in Creekside Landing, and had a surge due to lightning this past Friday night (accompanied by a heart-stopping thunder clap) that fried several costly items that will take us weeks and thousands of $ (equipment replacement and manpower) to replace.

We've been paying for SECO's Surge protection for 5+ years, and upon calling their offices this Monday August 18 to question coverage, they shared only that the coverage is up to 4,000 joules, providing contact info for a 3rd party we must contact with any questions or to file a claim in that regard.

After Friday night's lightning experience, I would appreciate learning what LPS / lightning rod options are available for small--parcel-homes such as courtyard villas that would not divert dangerous electricity towards neighbors.
Thanks much for any advice or info.