I was born and raised (34 years) on lightning alley, (central FL) and growing up I remember my parents house was hit only once, and none of the other houses I lived in were ever hit.
Moved to N.C., bought a two story log house built in 1939. The first 9 years we lived here the house suffered lightning damage 7 times from either direct hits, or trees being hit within 50 feet of the house.
Once it came in on the phone lines (buried) and vaporized every phone conductor in the home, this came closer to causing a fire than any of the other times, although there was always damage.
I had the opportunity to talk to an gentleman who had lived here in the late 40's to early 50's as a teen, and he informed me the house was hit a few times when he lived here.
The area the house is built on is pretty much a sheet of mica (as in insulator) which I suspect has some bearing why this is such a hot spot.
I had sworn that I would add a ground ring around the house to help the poor lowly rods each time, but have never gotten around to doing it, and with the mica considered, I question if this may in fact be more of a path back into the structure.
I removed the tin roof (not for this reason though) and primitive lighting rods after the 5th time and don't know for sure if this had anything to do with the reduction in the frequency of events, but for the last 4 years we have not been hit. (knock on wood)
I do remember a story which I think is true, I don't remember the exact details though.
It seems as though it had to do with two brothers in FL that were killed by lightning within a few feet of each other at different times (years apart I believe) when I was growing up.
Anyways, I have a great respect for it.
Roger
[This message has been edited by Roger (edited 08-21-2005).]
