Preparing Your Home for Summer Storms

Summer brings backyard barbecues, pool days, and unfortunately, some pretty wild storms. Sunny afternoon skies can turn dark and angry faster than kids can run inside from a sprinkler, and many homeowners learn the hard way that summer thunderstorms pack a serious punch.

The good news is that with a little planning, you can keep your home, your family, and your stuff safer when severe weather rolls in. Here's a practical guide to getting your home storm-ready before, during, and after a thunderstorm.

Understanding Summer Storm Threats

Summer storms hit differently than winter ones. They bring lightning that can wreck electronics, winds that fling patio furniture across the yard, and downpours that test every gutter and basement on the block. The National Weather Service tracks roughly 100,000 thunderstorms in the U.S. each year, with most happening between May and September.

One surprising fact: lightning can strike up to 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. That means even if a storm looks like it's miles off, you can still be in danger. The classic flash-to-bang trick still works — count the seconds between the flash and the thunder and divide by five to estimate the distance in miles. If you can hear thunder, you're close enough to be struck.