[Karmanng]

Originally Posted by Lightning

This is the 21st home to be destroyed by lightning since 2004. None had a lightning protection system. There are many myths included in this thread.
There will be a free non-commercial educational lightning presentation at the POA meeting on Tuesday June 20th, 7 PM, at Laurel Manor. The subjects to be covered:
Personal lightning safety outdoors and indoors
Lightning induced surge to appliances and electronics
Lightning protection systems commonly called lightning rods
Debunking a bakers dozen common myths about lightning

too bad I cant attend wont be there till end of summer early fall

[Karmanng]

Originally Posted by mikeycereal

Since last year I find myself not liking lightning storms. Rain is fine. Funny I never worried as much about those back when I was renting.

Florida is the #1 state in lightning density with 285 events every square mile. Though Texas is #1 with lightning strikes with over 18 million!

Thinking about getting a rod...

IM still in Arizona and we also get lightening tons of it and they show all the dots on the maps They always said we were the capital of the world I dont like lightening have had 3 experinces with it,,,,,, I guess I might put a rod on now after all Im in LINDEN just bought a year ago planning to move this is too close by by a few blocks......im in a villa........ugh.......

[Karmanng]

Originally Posted by sowilts

Any more news, we live at Linden and are currently at Maryland?

Im in LINDEN too taylor villas still in AZ

[dewilson58]

Originally Posted by Kenswing

As far as I know every building that The Villages owns has a lightning protection system on it.

Yes & No,

I noticed Brownwood does not have protection.

On the drive back from BW, I noticed the following did NOT have protection:
Fire Station
Two Rec Centers
Guard Shacks
Two mail box stations

The hospital and hotel at BW did have protection.

[asianthree]

So on an up note, house gets hit with lightning, I can change the few things I did wrong on the new build

[Altavia]

Originally Posted by dewilson58

Yes & No,

I noticed Brownwood does not have protection.

On the drive back from BW, I noticed the following did NOT have protection:
Fire Station
Two Rec Centers
Guard Shacks
Two mail box stations

The hospital and hotel at BW did have protection.

Interesting, also noticed them on the sales center at Brownwood and fire stations at Odel Circle and Sarasota.

Haven't notice them on fire stations with metal roofs (?)

See them on some pump stations.

Think it was a POA meeting where they said "critical" infrastructure was protected.

[jarodrig]

Originally Posted by UpNorth

If your next door neighbor has lightning rods, you're in luck....

Why is that ?

Contrary to popular belief, lightning rods DO NOT attract lightning !

[dewilson58]

Originally Posted by Altavia

Interesting, also noticed them on the sales center at Brownwood and fire stations at Odel Circle and Sarasota.

Haven't notice them on fire stations with metal roofs (?)

See them on some pump stations.

Think it was a POA meeting where they said "critical" infrastructure was protected.

Oh, forgot to mention..............The condo's in Brownwood are NOT protected.

[zmarkp]

Would anyone consider videotaping this presentation and putting it online?

That would be of _great_ value to Villagers!

Thanks - Mark

[sounding]

Originally Posted by Michael 61

I got a breaking news email from that “alternative” Villages new source, that said a home in the Village of Linden was struck by lightning and burned down in last night’s thunder/lightning activity. Since this my first summer living here, was curious how often this happens - Common, Not-So-Common, One-Off?

I feel so bad for the homeowners, luckily no one was home at the time of fire, as they were up North.

The first thing I did upon moving to The Villages was: 1. Install lightning rods. 2. Install a whole-house surge protector at the main circuit box. 3. Replace the flexible yellow gas lines in the attic with black iron pipe.

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by sounding

The first thing I did upon moving to The Villages was: 1. Install lightning rods. 2. Install a whole-house surge protector at the main circuit box. 3. Replace the flexible yellow gas lines in the attic with black iron pipe.

Why whole house surge protector at main circuit box?

We got one from Seco and they do it outside your house with the idea being stop surge before it gets inside.

[Just jimmy]

Last august our flag pole in front of the house was struck by lightning. It was burned. Blew all our pool equipment, landscape lights, clothes dryer, pool alarm, and a few gfi outlets. A few another things. We were very lucky. We had pavers around the base of the flag pole and some of them landed on neighbors roof. We were happy to have it hit the pole instead of the house. Pole is very close to front bedroom.

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by Just jimmy

Last august our flag pole in front of the house was struck by lightning. It was burned. Blew all our pool equipment, landscape lights, clothes dryer, pool alarm, and a few gfi outlets. A few another things. We were very lucky. We had pavers around the base of the flag pole and some of them landed on neighbors roof. We were happy to have it hit the pole instead of the house. Pole is very close to front bedroom.

Wow lucky nobody got hurt.

[mntlblok]

Of no real value for lightning rod decisions, but if you haven't read Mark Twain's short story on the subject, you might enjoy it. :-) Read Political Economy by Mark Twain | 25,629 Free Classic Stories and Poems | FullReads

And, I found it meshed nicely with his description of learning to ride a "bike", another recent subject area here on TOTV. Taming the Bicycle

[bluecenturian]

One of the first things we got on our house. Cost varies based on the roof shape/peeks. Have a woodside and paid $1800 in 2019.

I believe they work, it does not attract lightening to your house, if it is within 15 feet it will attract it to the rod and give it a safe passage to the ground.

Look and see how many houses with rods caught fire vs how many without.