MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WMBF) — South Carolina registered over 60,000 lightning strikes over the weekend. Some of those strikes led to damaged homes in the Grand Strand and Pee Dee. While you can’t prevent lightning from striking your property, there are proven ways to reduce damage and keep your family safe.
Install a lightning protection system
The most effective defense is a lightning protection system, which works by providing a safe path for electrical current to travel from your roof to the ground. These systems include a network of metal rods, conductors and grounding equipment that redirect lightning’s energy away from your home’s structure.
“A properly installed lightning protection system can reduce damage by up to 99 percent,” according to the National Weather Service. The system should be installed by a certified professional and inspected annually. Installation costs typically range from $1,500 to $5,000 depending on your home’s size and complexity, though some homeowners insurance policies may offer discounts or partial coverage for having a system installed.
Protect your electronics…