Your life can change in the blink of an eye.
The nonprofit Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH) invites experts to submit presentations for consideration by the National Disaster Resilience Conference (NDRC24) committee. Set to take place from November 20 to 22, 2024, in Clearwater Beach, Florida, the conference seeks to explore innovative approaches and programs that drive advancements in resilience policy, practice, science, and engineering.
Preparing for potential disasters is crucial no matter where you call home. Families can enhance their safety and home resilience by using these free and low-cost ways to strengthen their homes against a variety of perils. From earthquakes and extreme heat to floods, hail, hurricanes, tornados, and wildfires, these top mitigation strategies are accessible on the nonprofit Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH) website FLASH.org.
The nonprofit Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH) revealed the names of the five finalists for the 2024 National Weatherperson of the Year award. This annual accolade acknowledges exceptional weather professionals who exhibit exemplary leadership in advocating for disaster safety and resilience.
If your home is damaged or destroyed in a storm or natural disaster, you can take steps to protect your family’s safety, comfort, and financial stability during recovery.
Seek guidance from reliable sources, including emergency management officials, local government leaders, insurance company representatives, and nonprofit organizations that specialize in disaster response and recovery. Determine if your disaster-affected community has formed a long-term recovery task force and follow task force news to learn about relevant resources, services, and deadlines.
You may never forget your disaster experience, but you can recover and bounce back with the physical, emotional, and financial support available after the worst happens.
Contact your insurance provider as soon as possible to begin the claims process. Be aware that certain disasters, such as floods and earthquakes, may not be covered by standard homeowners policies.
Take reasonable steps to protect your property from further damage, like placing blue tarps over roof damage or broken windows. Save your receipts for any materials you use, and submit them to your insurance company for reimbursement.
Document your loss, and preserve damaged items until your adjuster has visited your home or your company advises that you may dispose of the items. Take photos and use videos to prepare a home inventory to document your claim. Assemble copies of receipts from damaged items.
You may have coverage for lodging and other living expenses while you are displaced from your damaged home, so be sure to include those receipts in your claim documentation.
For more information about insurance considerations during a disaster, check out our guide to homeowners insurance to find out more about filing a claim.
Throughout recovery, stay up-to-date and monitor local radio, television, and other information sources about where to get emergency housing, food, first aid, clothing, and financial assistance. Check out options for how to stay informed.
Post-disaster economic assistance programs may be available for individuals under certain circumstances. Direct assistance of food, shelter, supplies, and cleanup may come from any number of organizations, including the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, and others. The federal government may help individuals and families with temporary housing, counseling, loans and grants, and other assistance. There are also programs to help small businesses and farmers.
FEMA provides housing assistance for qualifying disaster victims. Homeowners within a designated federal disaster area can call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) to register.
Applicants should be prepared to describe losses and provide their Social Security Number, financial information, and the location of the damaged property.
Disasters can have an emotional toll, and adults may need crisis counseling or stress management assistance. Children, older adults, people with disabilities, and people who speak English as a second language may be especially at risk for emotional distress post-disaster.
Seek crisis counseling if you or a family member is experiencing disaster-related stress. Local faith-based organizations, voluntary agencies, or professional counselors can provide counsel and advice. FEMA, state, and local government agencies may also provide crisis counseling assistance.
Make sure you understand the personal effects of a disaster, recognize signs of disaster-related stress, and are familiar with how to manage that stress.
If in doubt, do not give out your personal information. Report to local authorities anyone claiming to be a government worker. Safeguard against disaster-related fraud by taking these precautions:
If your home is damaged by a covered peril, you will need to notify your insurance company as soon as possible. All companies have toll-free telephone numbers for claims reporting, and most have company websites and app with online claims reporting options.
An insurance policy is a contract between you and your insurance company, so there are rules and procedures that you and your insurer must follow. The best way to understand your role is to read your insurance policy.
Are you in the dark about what your insurance policy will provide after a disaster? For example, you may have coverage for food that spoils when the power fails, even if your home isn’t damaged. And that food spoilage coverage may be deductible-free.
Did you know that a special, separate policy is required to cover some perils? For example, flood policies have a 30-day waiting period, and coverage limits may or may not provide enough to repair and rebuild your home after flood damage.
These are the kinds of questions you can answer during an annual insurance checkup to keep your policy current and keep you in the know before disaster strikes.
Contact your home insurance company or agent and request a policy review. Ask these questions to make sure you have the right financial resources to rebuild, recover, and bounce back from any disaster.
Having the right amount and type of insurance for your car, home, boat, and other high-value possessions will ensure that you will have the money you need to recover after disaster strikes.
Start with A Homeowners Guide to Natural Disasters for an introduction to basic mitigation and policy benefits, limitations, and opportunities to save with credits and discounts.
Then schedule a checkup with your insurance company or agent to ask critical questions like:
Different types of insurance policies are available to cover various weather or geophysical perils, such as earthquakes. The most appropriate insurance product for your needs depends primarily on your type of dwelling.
Homeowners: If you own a home, there are two available policy forms: homeowners and dwelling forms. The main difference between these two types of forms is that a homeowners form combines property coverage with liability coverage, while the dwelling form only covers property losses. Additionally, a dwelling form is more commonly used for a dwelling that an insured person owns but does not live in or only lives in for part of the year. Both types of policy forms have various peril coverage options available for the dwelling and its contents.
Manufactured homeowners: There are policy forms specifically designed to insure manufactured homes. This type of policy covers both the dwelling and its contents and provides liability protection.
Condo owners: There are policy forms specifically designed to cover condominiums. This type of policy typically covers contents, such as your personal property and liability. A small amount of dwelling coverage is provided to cover the portions of the condominium that you are responsible for, as defined by the governing rules of the condominium association; this may include condominium common areas. You can purchase additional dwelling coverage if the protection included in the package is insufficient.
Renters: There are renter’s insurance policy forms specifically designed for you if you are renting and do not own your residence. These forms provide coverage for your contents and liability.
Farm homeowners: Farm owner’s policy forms are specifically designed to cover farms or ranches which may not qualify for standard homeowners insurance. This policy may be the most appropriate form to cover property losses to your home and other structures, such as barns and silos, from the damage of tornadoes, hail, and other perils. Farm owner’s policies also cover personal and commercial exposure of farms, along with liability coverage.
Two exceptions worth noting
Earthquake and flood policies typically need to be purchased separately or as additional endorsements to your standard policy, regardless of your dwelling type. The limits of these policies can match the homeowner’s or renter’s policy, or they can be set as separate limits.
Generally, insurance may be purchased from property casualty insurance companies through the voluntary market, meaning that the insurance companies voluntarily provide coverage to customers who meet the underwriting requirements. Availability and types of coverage may vary across states and companies, so consumers should research property coverage for specific perils in their area.
There are four main distribution systems employed by property casualty insurance companies in the U.S.:
Involuntary market mechanisms (sometimes referred to as shared markets) provide coverage for entities that do not qualify for coverage in the voluntary market. There are many reasons why coverage may not be available through the voluntary market in a particular place. For example, living in a high-risk area, such as a designated wildfire zone, near a coastline, or in an area affected by a recent catastrophic event may lead to reduced availability of coverage.
The following kinds of property insurance market mechanisms exist in certain areas:
Market conditions in some states have made it difficult for voluntary insurers to provide affordable coverage. Under those circumstances, coverage may be available through a FAIR plan. If you find that you are unable to obtain insurance through the voluntary market, your insurance agent may help you find coverage through the involuntary market, or you may be able to contact the plans directly. Because these entities vary greatly by locality, your state insurance department is likely the best source of information on how to obtain coverage through the involuntary market in your state.
Homeowners insurance protects your home and everything in it from accidental and unexpected incidents. If something catastrophic occurs, you will need to provide a list of everything that was in the house, and in some cases, even photographic evidence of valuable possessions.
Here’s how to create a home inventory that will make future insurance claims run smoothly:
For more expensive items, store receipts electronically in a folder backed up to the cloud, on a flash drive, or in a written physical record along with other essential documents in a sealed waterproof bag.
If you are keeping a physical record, keep a copy in your “go bag” in case you have to evacuate.
Take advantage of all product warranties by registering your new appliances and products. That way you can get helpful information about the product for an insurance claim.
Keep the name, telephone number, email, and web address of your insurance agent and/or company in a safe place, including on your computer or on your phone.
Contact your home insurance company or agent and request a policy review. Use the insurance checkup checklist to make sure you have the right financial resources to rebuild, recover, and bounce back from any disaster.
Update your home inventory regularly and read your insurance policy carefully to understand what is and isn’t covered (deductibles, general and specific limits, flood coverage, etc.).
If you must evacuate the area, notify your insurance company and verify what your insurance policy will cover for temporary lodging.
For more information about insurance, check out A Homeowner’s Insurance Guide to Natural Disasters for an introduction to mitigation and policy benefits, limitations, and ways to save with credits and discounts.
FLASH and The Actuarial Foundation. If Disaster Strikes, Will You Be Covered? A Homeowner’s Insurance Guide to Natural Disasters.
While adequate insurance coverage is essential to disaster recovery, premiums can present a significant expense for homeowners. Premiums may increase over time with inflation, increased costs of construction, or other factors; however, it is possible to reduce potential costs.
In addition to the premium, you’ll need to account for the deductible — the amount of your claim that you pay before any payment is made by your insurance company. The larger your deductible is, the lower your premium will be. However, the larger the deductible, the more out-of-pocket payment you will be responsible for when a loss occurs.
Dollar deductibles: A dollar deductible is the dollar value the insured must pay before the insurance company will pay the remainder of the claim. For example, with a $500 standard deductible, the policyholder must pay the first $500 out of pocket. Some insurers offer policies with higher dollar deductibles for hurricane and earthquake damage. The higher the deductible for a given policy, the lower the premium. This is because the insured is bearing more of the risk.
Percentage deductibles: Percentage deductibles are calculated based on the home’s insured value. For example, if a house is insured for $100,000 and has a 2% deductible, the first $2,000 (or 2% of the insurance value of $100,000) of a claim must be paid by the policyholder. In many states, policyholders have the option of paying a higher premium if they prefer a traditional dollar deductible instead of a percentage deductible or if they prefer to have a lower percentage deductible. Percentage deductibles are sometimes mandatory. It is important to remember that the dollar value of a percentage deductible will change as the insured value changes.
Here are some options for saving money on your homeowners insurance.
A policy may have different types and amounts of deductibles based on the peril. Many insurers offer homeowners insurance policies with percentage deductibles for windstorm damage instead of the traditional dollar value deductibles used for other types of claims, such as fire and theft.
One of the more common percentage deductibles is the hurricane percentage deductible that applies to damage solely from hurricanes. For example, a policyholder may have a $1,000 deductible for fire losses, but a 2% deductible for hurricane losses, making the hurricane percentage deductible a significant part of the policy. An earthquake policy with an additional third deductible could differ from all other deductibles for the insured property, as well.
Premium discounts vary widely by state and company. Secure price quotes from more than one source before choosing a policy, and use the list below to request potential discounts. This list is not exhaustive, so you may qualify for additional discounts.
How do you make sure that you can insure your home against disasters like hurricanes and floods? The location of a property can be a primary factor of insurance availability. Homes located in areas with greater exposure to losses due to a particular peril pay a higher cost for coverage than areas less exposed to that peril.
Insurance premiums for homes in the Midwest may reflect a higher cost due to tornado coverage. It may be difficult to find available or affordable coverage in the voluntary market for homes with greater exposure to wildfires, such as those in designated brush zones in California. It is essential to evaluate the insurability of a property before purchasing a new home.
Another factor that affects the availability of insurance is a pending event. For example, if a hurricane or a wildfire is approaching, insurance companies will often issue a temporary prohibition on issuing coverage, and no new coverage can be written in the area threatened by the peril until the threat passes.
Consider possible perils and how they might affect the availability of insurance when you’re shopping for a home or adding coverage to your current property.
Homeowners who live on or near major faults are vulnerable to earthquakes, and the soil type in certain areas may be more susceptible to earthquake damage. As a result, the closer a home is to a fault line, or if it sits on certain susceptible soil types, the more limited insurance options may be because of the risk of earthquake loss.
Recent earthquake activity can also determine earthquake insurance availability. As more earthquakes occur, insurance companies are likely to experience significant claims from earthquakes and may become financially distressed. These companies may find it difficult to provide coverage to the same volume of policyholders which can cause an overall availability problem. In certain areas, state associations are established to ensure insurance availability in constricted markets. These publicly run entities provide insurance coverage when availability and affordability problems arise.
Homes in coastal areas of the U.S. are more exposed to hurricanes than homes further inland. As a result, homeowners in these areas may have fewer choices for hurricane insurance. Frequent storm activity can constrict hurricane insurance availability and markets. As with earthquakes, publicly run entities typically fill gaps in the market and may provide insurance coverage when availability and affordability problems occur.
Homeowners can encounter insurance availability problems due to the location of their home as described above. However, if a home has unusually hazardous features, insurance companies may be unwilling to provide coverage regardless of location.
Some of the features considered hazardous include inferior construction, a low-performing roof shape or roof covering, an unbolted frame, an unsecured chimney and/or water heater, or structurally weak features such as awnings or other exterior ornamentation. Additionally, older homes that do not meet current building codes and poorly maintained homes may be difficult to insure.
Homeowners can ensure the insurability of their home by keeping the property current to local and modern model building codes, by performing regular home maintenance, and by implementing loss mitigation measures. Homeowners may also evaluate their insurance options by staying informed of changes in the local insurance marketplace.
Guaranteeing you’re adequately insured and protected before a disaster is critical. You can start by checking your coverage options, property definitions, and the extent of coverage available. Options will vary by state, company, and product.
Here’s everything you need to know about your choices of home insurance for disasters.
Insurance companies define four coverage categories for your home:
A peril, as referred to in an insurance policy, is a cause of damage that results in an insured loss of property, such as fire or theft. Coverage can be provided on an “all perils” (open perils) basis or a “named perils” basis. Named perils policies list what is covered by the policy and are generally more restrictive. All perils policies list what is excluded from coverage. A dwelling policy usually provides coverage for both the dwelling and its contents on a named perils basis. A homeowners policy usually provides coverage for the dwelling on an all perils basis and coverage for the contents on a named perils basis.
A package policy provides coverage for multiple, but usually not all, perils. A homeowners policy is a package policy that provides coverage for fire, lightning, extended coverages, and personal liability. Extended coverage includes coverage for windstorm, hail, explosion, riot, civil commotion, aircraft, vehicles, smoke, vandalism, malicious mischief, theft, and breakage of glass. Some policies, such as earthquake or flood policies, provide coverage for specific perils that are often excluded in package policies. Fire and water damage from an earthquake may be covered by a standard homeowners policy.
It is important to consider what additional perils you may face and verify what is covered by your specific policy. Consult with your insurance company about perils you may face and what perils are covered by your policy.
Depending on the type of policy, dwelling coverage options could include replacement cost coverage, actual cash value, special payment, functional replacement cost or market value coverage, or stated value.
The settlement of a loss will vary depending on the coverage you select when you purchase your policy.
Depending on the type of policy, personal property coverage options could be replacement cost coverage or actual cash coverage, as explained above.
Insurance-to-value ratio is the relationship of the amount of insurance purchased to the replacement value of the property. It is important to have an accurate assessment of the replacement cost value of your home. If you don’t and then experience a loss, the cost to replace your home may be more than your insurance policy will provide and you would be responsible for covering the difference. Major catastrophes, such as earthquakes, hurricanes, and wildfires, often can create a demand surge for materials and labor, resulting in increased costs to replace damaged property. Consider the effect of such surges when establishing the appropriate replacement cost for your property.
Most property policies have a coinsurance penalty, which requires that your property be insured to at least 80% of the replacement cost or loss payments will be reduced by a proportion of the insured value to 80% of replacement value.
It is also important to realize that other coverage limits within your policy are set as a percentage of the dwelling coverage amount. For example, the limit of coverage for your personal property will usually be at 50% of the dwelling limit. Additional coverage is available via endorsement and is typically increased if you purchase replacement cost coverage for your contents.
In order to qualify for replacement cost coverage, you will most likely be required to insure your property to at least 80% of the replacement cost. If this requirement is met and you have a total loss, your insurance policy will cover the total cost of replacing your home. If the property is not insured to at least the 80% value, then the payment for partial losses may be reduced. For a total loss to be paid, the property should be insured at 100% of the replacement cost.
Many insurance companies offer an endorsement that provides full coverage to replace your property in the event of a total loss. Usually, the company requires that the property be insured to at least 100% of the replacement cost in order to qualify for this additional coverage. As long as this requirement is met, if you have a total loss and it costs more to replace than your limit (due to a misestimate or demand surge), the coverage under your insurance policy will be increased accordingly. The amount of the increase depends on the endorsement purchased and can range from 25% to 100%.
Additional coverage may be included in your policy. One example is a building code upgrade, which provides 10% coverage for upgrades required by the community to meet building codes when a home is being repaired or rebuilt as a result of a covered loss. Optional coverage for perils, such as earthquake insurance, may be available to purchase to supplement your policy.
FLASH and The Actuarial Foundation. If Disaster Strikes, Will You Be Covered? A Homeowner’s Insurance Guide to Natural Disasters.
Once you and your family are prepared, consider extended family members or friends who are especially vulnerable during disasters. Pay special attention to folks with financial limitations and seniors.
You can help your broader community before, during, and after disasters by volunteering. Find an organization in your community, and participate in a class, training, or discussion. Affiliate with the organization before disaster strikes.
Local nonprofits, faith-based organizations, schools, and civic groups are all great places to begin your search. There are many ways to help your community, including delivering food to older adults or organizing your own community project. Consider any special skills you may be able to offer.
Get training in CPR and basic first aid, as well as other hazard-specific training. A financial contribution or gift to a recognized nonprofit disaster relief organization is always an effective way to support disaster recovery, and even small amounts can make a big difference.
Here are some options to get you started to support community disaster resilience:
Where will your family or household be when disaster strikes? If you are not together when an emergency happens, will everyone know how to stay in contact — even if cell towers are down and phones don’t work? Do you have a meeting place and will everyone have a way to get there?
To develop a family disaster plan, start by mapping out contact methods and meeting places. Then share and practice your plan with your family or household and out-of-town contact. While you develop your plan, keep in mind these specific household needs:
After you make your plan, all you need to do is revisit and communicate your plan regularly so you’re ready when disaster strikes.
Send links to your disaster plan and make copies for all family or household members and emergency contacts. Post a copy in a prominent place in your home like a bulletin board.
Regularly gather your family or household members to review and practice your plan. Discuss what information you would communicate during a disaster and send practice messages. Make sure all family members (including children) understand how and when to call 911.
Update your communication plan at least once a year or whenever information changes.
A natural disaster is often devastating for adults, but children can be especially vulnerable to stress and anxiety when disaster strikes. Prepare your children before a disaster and plan activities to keep them busy during and after an emergency.
Getting kids involved in the planning process and letting them plan activities will distribute the workload and give your family a sense of control.
Nearly every home is susceptible to power outages caused by disasters. Some disruptions last for days, even weeks. Electrical power loss can create unhealthy and unsafe living conditions or building damage.
Taking steps to prepare before a power outage is the best way to maintain your family’s comfort and avoid danger, costly losses, or damage to your home. Learning how to protect food, prevent mold growth, safely use generators, prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, and avoid house fires when power returns are all essential parts of your power outage preparedness plan.
Evaluate and secure different backup power options ranging from small backup batteries and solar charging options to portable or standby generators with an automatic switch.
During or after a power outage or disaster, your food may no longer be safe to eat. Take precautions to prevent food spoilage, and know when you should dispose of refrigerated food. Food that has not been refrigerated can spoil quickly and cause severe health problems, so you should take all steps to keep it safe. Here’s how the following steps to extend the shelf life of your refrigerated food:
You can also make your home resilient to power loss by using a combination of power generation options from basic to sophisticated. Then you can provide backup power for lighting, food preservation, limited air conditioning, prevention of mold growth on interior finishes, and much more.
Consult a licensed, professional electrician to evaluate your generator purchase options. Two kinds of generators can generate emergency power in your home: permanently installed standby or “whole house” generators, and temporary, portable generators.
Ensure your generator is properly ventilated. Improperly ventilated generators can cause deadly carbon monoxide fumes to build up. The fumes are odorless and are often fatal.
You can enhance your safety and comfort during and after an emergency or disaster by planning to be self-sufficient. By creating an emergency supply kit, you’ll be able to meet your basic needs for food, water, cash, medicines, and other supplies that will last for at least 72 hours.
Once you build and maintain your disaster supply kit, you have a way to meet your family’s basic needs during a difficult time. This also helps your community by allowing emergency officials and first responders to focus on those who cannot help themselves. Make sure to make your disaster preparedness plan and practice with your family.
Plan for two scenarios when building your disaster supply kit: remaining in your home or evacuating to a safer location.
Store items in airtight plastic bags, and use 1-2 portable containers for your whole kit.
Inventory on-hand supplies, and purchase any additional items. Building and maintaining your kit over time can help offset the cost.
See more about preparing emergency supply kits specifically for people with disabilities.
Remember to replace your stored food and water every six months. Dedicate one area of your cabinet or pantry to non-perishable food like peanut butter and jelly that you continuously replace.
Make your emergency water supply a top priority. Your requirements will vary depending on age, physical condition, activity, diet, and climate.
An active person needs at least two quarts of drinking water daily, so store at least one gallon of water per person per day for a minimum of three days. This amount will provide for drinking, cooking, and sanitary needs.
Children, nursing mothers, and people with health issues will need more. Keep in mind that high temperatures can double the required water amount.
Store your water in thoroughly washed plastic, fiberglass, or enamel-lined containers. Don’t use containers that can break (like glass bottles) and never use a container that has held toxic substances. Plastic containers like soda bottles work, and camping stores offer various containers.
Seal your water containers tightly and label and store them in a cool, dark place. Put a date on each container, and change stored water every six months.
Collect your household documents and create a photographic inventory of your household contents and valuables for an efficient insurance claims process.
Secure your documents in a safe place. Store paper copies in a fireproof and waterproof box or safe at home, in a bank safe deposit box, or with a trusted friend or relative. Keep electronic copies of important documents in a password-protected encrypted format on a removable flash or external hard drive in your fireproof and waterproof box or safe, or use a secure cloud-based service.
Store your disaster supply kit, documentation, and valuables in waterproof containers away from basements or other home locations that may flood.
A disaster can occur when you are at home, work, or traveling. Prepare a kit for your home, work, and all vehicles.
Quickly changing weather and environmental conditions demand careful attention. You can stay safe by staying aware of the latest disaster events in your community in a variety of ways, including those that operate without electric power.
No matter how you receive your updates and alerts, make sure you choose more than one method so you have a backup plan during any emergency.
Purchase a NOAA Weather Radio receiver with backup battery power. NOAA Weather Radio from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is a nationwide, 24-hour radio station network that broadcasts continuous weather information like forecasts, watches, warnings and all-hazard updates, such as earthquakes or environmental events like chemical releases or oil spills.
NOAA Weather Radio is commercial-free but requires a specific receiver or scanner that is widely available for as little as $30. You may need an external antenna if you are more than 30 miles from the nearest transmitter.
The nationwide Emergency Alert System can deliver wireless emergency alerts to your devices. In addition to NOAA Weather Radio and the Emergency Alert System, you also may be covered by a community-level emergency alerting system.
If your government alerting system uses landline telephones, but you do not have one, you may still be able to connect your mobile devices to Enhanced Telephone Notification systems like Reverse 911© and text messages. Strobe lights, pagers, computers, and text printers can be connected for the visually and hearing-impaired, as well.
Download your state or local emergency management agency app and the FEMA app. Enable text message alerts (message and data rates will apply).
Look for updates from official local government and emergency management agencies and utility providers on their websites and social media to stay current before, during, and after a disaster.
Sign up for listservs and emergency alerts from your workplace, school, houses of worship, or other community organizations that provide notifications during an emergency.
Monitor weather forecasts frequently using apps, devices, government alerting services, radio/television news, and social media. Always keep your cell phone charged and activate location settings that allow weather-related apps to follow and alert you no matter where you go.
No matter how you plan to receive emergency alerts, listen to broadcasts and check online every 30 minutes during emergencies to stay current on the latest updates and essential instructions.
Increase personal safety and reduce your risk of lightning injury by following these essential tips.
Electrical strikes and lightning surges can damage and destroy appliances, electronic devices, and cause devastating house fires. Reduce or prevent lightning damage by installing a professional lightning protection system, whole house surge protection, or a series of point-of-use appliance and electronics protective devices.
No lightning protection device or system can guarantee 100% damage prevention from a direct lightning strike or lightning that enters through unprotected telephone, cable, or power lines to the house. However, you can avoid dangerous and expensive damage to your home.
The most comprehensive home lightning protection system is a lightning protection system. Lightning protection systems installed on your home provide a direct path for lightning to follow to the ground while bypassing your house structure, wiring, telephone, and cable lines. The system includes: strike termination devices, conductors, ground terminals, interconnecting bonding, and surge protection devices to prevent harmful electrical surges.
If you have trees taller than 10 feet, you may need to install lightning protection on those as well.
If you cannot afford a professionally-installed lightning protection system, consider a whole house surge protection system, multiple point-of-use protection devices for your cable system, computer, phone, televisions, and other electronic appliances. A whole-house surge protection system can be installed on the electric meter or the electrical panel to help protect the appliances and electronic equipment in your home, such as computers, TVs, and DVD players.
The Lightning Protection Institute has information about lightning protection in homes, including details on a Lightning Protection System.