I am still a doubting Thomas. I'm a native Floridian (and have lived here most of my life) and I don't doubt that Florida is the lightning capital of the USA (not the world, as this is flat out misinformation). A million lightning strikes--sounds like a reasonable estimate--BUT--how many of these strikes hit residences?

Once again the question comes down to risk analysis. Assuming your claim of three houses burning from lightning in the last three years is true (I couldn't find this info in a quick search of the Daily Sun, but for arguments sake I will assume it's true) I would say that over the last three years TV has had an average of 75,000 homes (just an estimate) over the past three years. One home burning down out of 75,000 per year (3 in 3 years) comes out to a .0013% risk per year of my home burning down to a lightning strike. That is a risk I am willing to take. Worst case scenerio, my home gets fried and I have to rely on my homeowner's insurance to rebuild.

Lightning, thank you for providing this information.:ho: Seven houses destroyed between 2004 and 2009. None in 2010 or 2011. 2012 is still in progress. I would certainly be willing to acknowledge that it looks like we can expect (on average) one home per year to be destroyed by lightning in TV. We are up to 90,000+ homes in TV in 2012. One home per year comes out to a .0011% chance per year of my home being destroyd by lightning. I will take my chances and live with the consequences.

Prhaps, its called an all risk policy and unless it is exclued its included

I don't doubt lightning is a problem here in Central Florida. and I don't doubt that even for just a piece of mind protecting against it would be worth the expense. However I am curious as to the eight homes that had burned down. Who is the authorityciting that all eight homes burned because of lightning. I know of at least two homes that burned because of faulty wiring. I also know of some homes burned partially or totally because of electric carts. so I was wondering if the 8 homes referenced are separated from these other fire losses?

For me, this is simply a question of how I want to live my life. I have only been on TOTV for a short time and lived in TV for an even shorter time. During that time, I am always struck by how many of the posts on TOTV revolve around people's fears--fear of lightning, fear of sinkholes, fear of tornadoes, fear of hurricanes, fear of snakes, fear of alligators, fear of roundabouts, fear of the "evil" developer--the list is endless. I refuse to live my life in fear. I want to enjoy the years I have left not worrying about the "what ifs?"

That does not mean I am a daredevil or that I take unneccesary risks, it just means that my own personal philosophy is to enjoy life to its fullest, and I think this can best be achieved by not living in fear.

Well said, Jon.

I try to do the same and I worry about all the worriers.

If you are still not convinced then get the NFIRS-2 Fire Report, under "D" Ignition coded ""73 Lightning Discharge" from the fire department. Each report will run 10 to 20 pages on the details of the fire and how it was resolved.

Lightning.

I am very sure of the validity of the lightning strikes and subsequent complete anilation of those seven homes. We are evaluating contractors right now to install lightning rods. I wish the better, copper ones, didn't cost so much more. I don't think we will ever get struck, but I know an effective lightning rod system and protectors from secondary lighting damage to the appliances and systems will make us sleep soundly.

I was greatly impressed with your knowledge of lightning and most of all of your unselfish time volunteered to share your information without gaining anything in return but satisfaction.

You and your partner and the presentation you gave was truly a help to all of us there.

You make this wonderful town of ours even better.

Many thanks.

Gracie

I am beginning to "fear" reading TOTV because I am finding so many things to fear. :ho: :mademyday:

LOLOLOL.....:)

For most of us, there's nothing to fear....but knowing that lightning is plentiful in this particular part of the state allows one to plan what they will or won't do to help potentially minimize damage. When one lives on the west coast, one must be aware that earthquakes happen. You prepare your house to prevent furniture from falling on you. (Certain sounds still make me prepare for ground motion....:) ) In the heartland, tornados can be a problem.....some have storm cellars. Here we have lightning, well also tornados and sometimes tropical storms. It's always wise to know what we might face, make sure we're prepared and then....carry on with our lives.

Graciegirl, thanks for your continued support for what we do as our cummunity service to eduate Villagers about lightning.

I am bumping this thread and this poster. He is one of the two men who gives the presentation. If you want to ask him anything, just send him a PM.

This is on my mind because of the BIG electrical storm last night and coincidentally a house fire reported that appears to not have been related to it.

Jes tryin' to hep.