Severe Weather Facts

8/11/2016 (Permalink)

St. Clair Shores Storm Damage

Did you know these facts about Severe Weather?

What is a severe thunderstorm?  A thunderstorm is classified as “severe” when it contains one or more of the following: hail one inch or greater, winds gusting in excess of 50 knots (57.5 mph), or a tornado.

How many thunderstorms are there?  Worldwide, there are an estimated 16 million thunderstorms each year, and at any given moment, there are roughly 2,000 thunderstorms in progress. There are about 100,000 thunderstorms each year in the U.S. alone. About 10% of these reach severe levels. 

Did you also know that thunderstorms are most likely in the spring and summer months and during the afternoon and evening hours, but they can occur year-round and at all hours of the day. 

Under the right conditions, rainfall from thunderstorms causes flash flooding, killing more people each year than hurricanes, tornadoes or lightning. Lightning is responsible for many fires around the world each year, and causes fatalities. Hail up to the size of softballs damages cars and windows, and kills livestock caught out in the open. Strong (up to more than 120 mph) straight-line winds associated with thunderstorms knock down trees, power lines and mobile homes. Tornadoes (with winds up to about 300 mph) can destroy all but the best-built man-made structures.

At SERVPRO of St. Clair Shores we are available 24/7 for any of your storm related emergency needs, including flooding, storm damage to your property or tree damage to your home or business.  Save our phone number in case of emergency – SERVPRO of St. Clair Shores (586) 741-5050.