Lightning strikes south of Lookout Mountain as severe weather moves through the Chattanooga area late Friday evening.Lightning strikes pose a serious danger that result in wildfires, destruction of homes, apartments, businesses and manufacturing facilities. Even worse, these fires pose a serious danger to people, firefighters and other rescuers, and employees of an affected business.
There is more to be concerned about. According to the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.), the number of lightning strikes per month begins to rise in March and do not subside until September.
Here’s a broad view of the problem as reported by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA):
Lightning Fires in Residential Vs. Non-Residential Properties
During 2004 to 2008, U.S. local fire departments responded to an average of 24,600 fires per year that were started by lightning. These fires caused an average of 12 civilian deaths and $407 million in direct property damage per year, according to the NFPA. Home fires accounted for 18 percent of the lightning fires, fires in non-residential structures, including businesses and other non-residential properties accounted for 7 percent; vehicle fires accounted for 1 percent. The remaining 74 percent were in outdoor and unclassified properties.