Lightning Strikes Again

Early in the afternoon last Wednesday, the 27th, in the midst of a heavy thundershower we got hit. There was no delay between the flash and the boom. And it was very loud. Luckily the power stayed on in the house and the air conditioner still worked.

When the storm had passed we discovered the strike had fried all the outdoor electrical outlets including the ones that power the pool pumps and filters. Later we found that the bathroom power outlets were not working either.

In the backyard next to the pool a big chunk of concrete was missing from the pavement and little pieces were all over the place.

The electricians arrived on Friday for repairs and found the the lightning tried to get in the house through the main circuit breaker in the garage. It damaged only one circuit before the outdoor breaker kicked in.

The folks at our local pool supply store said the lightning probably destroyed the pumps and the motors. But as soon as the power came back on the pumps worked fine. And best of all the power surge didn't hit the new air conditioner compressor and fan.

It was our second lightning strike in five years. The previous one was in the afternoon of June 22, 2004 -- just two weeks after we moved here. That strike was much more serious with damage to the plumbing. The repairs required jack hammers tearing up some of the foundation of the house. Noisy, dusty and dirty repairs.

After getting the air conditioner replaced earlier this month and now electricians all over the place, we look forward to a long time without visits from salesmen, estimators or repairmen.