One of the worst weeks in many years

[Patrukas777]

Sooo...This past week my house was struck by lightening multiple times. I got home and noticed the power was off. I walked into the bathroom and saw that there was a 3' X 2' hole in the wall, and my drywall and tile had been blown into the bathtub/shower. I could see the outside from my bathroom. I continued walking around my house and noticed the ceiling was cracked in the kitchen, all of the crown molding in the bathrooms were separated from the ceiling, and the walls in the bathrooms were soft in the middle and slightly bowed. I asked my neighbors if their power was out and they said everything was fine...I went to my circuit breaker and noticed all of them had been flipped including the main. I flipped them on and returned inside my house.

Once inside I cleaned up th drywall. I sat down on my couch and attempted to turn on my television. Nothing happened. I then looked at my entertainment system and nothing was turned on. I went to my Panamax and attempted to turn it on...nothing. I pushed the reset button on my Panamax and still nothing. I then looked at the outlet and noticed some of the adapters tops had been blown off. I then walked to my rear left surround speaker.... I couldn't believe it...The speakers had exploded through the speaker grills. Then I thought to myself...I bet lightening hit the house. I went outside and saw that the tree (50 foot) next to my residence had six 20 to 30 feet vertical stripes of missing bark. It was confirmed.

I went under the house and saw that my foundation had cracked in two spots. I called my home insurance and told them what had happened. I am awaiting an inspection to see if my home is habitable.

My entire entertainment system (about $15,000) is one huge paper weight. On monday or tuesday a technician is supposed to assess my electronics. I hooked up my back up receiver and got sound out of three speakers...all of which are blown.

My television, PS3, Xbox 360, SVS 13Ultra, SVS/Audyssey, denon receiver, Panamax, HD DVR, Modem and Router are completely dead, and my speakes are all blown.

It gets even better...I had school the following morning. Ive been using my 4x4 lately, but the snow has melted. So I got into my Nissan Altima Hybrid...and guess what. It had also been hit by lightening and my entire electrical system and hybrid system is out.

I have no idea what the insurance will actually give me for all my gear....

It's so crazy I find myself laughing

 

[Adam]

Wow! First, sorry to hear about all of your stuff being damaged. That's a big bump in the road. Second, though, I'm happy that you are okay. From the story, I'm guessing that no one was hurt in all this.

I'm glad that you are able to laugh about it - heck, what else could you do? It's great that you have insurance, and I sure hope that they come through for you and get this all squared away.

Where are you staying right now? Is it at the house, or have you moved into a hotel or something?

 

[njedpx3]

Sorry for your loss

Hope you weren't hurt sorry to hear of your loss. Sounds like you have a positive attitude keep, it postive if you can.

Sounds like you had a really sweet system. The only good side is with your insurance money you should be able to get the greatest and latest and build you a newer and even better system. And yes, I understand insurance won't cover everything.

Good luck and keep us informed. As Adam tried to do and I am trying to do, we can be a positive shoulder to lean on and help keep you spirits up.

Be positive We will help you, if you will let us!


Peace and Good luck!

Forest Man

 

[rnatalli]

Wow! Good thing you weren't home when that all went down. Hopefully everything works out.

 

[mperfct]

Jeez man, I'm really sorry to hear that. It just kept coming, didn't it. I hope the insurance man takes care of you!

 

[Alex2507]

I'm really sorry to here that. It would have been so much better if it had hit your neighbors house.

 

[Rickster71]

Wow, that's amazing!
Sorry to hear you've lost so much of your gear. If it's any consolation, at least no one in your family was hurt.

If I may offer some advice; there is usually hidden damage to electrical wiring after a lighting strike.
Ask your insurance co. if they are going to supply or pay for a 'Megger test' on your wiring.
It's a test of the insulation properties of electric wiring.
When lightning is involved, what you see on the surface is often only the tip of the iceberg. (as far as damage goes)

Good luck.

 

[darien87]

That's crazy!!!

Hopefully you're insurance will cover your gear and car. Where do you live in Southern Cali that you got blasted by multiple lightning strikes? I've lived in CA most of my life and I think I've only seen lightning a few times.

 

[Adam]

Where do you live in Southern Cali that you got blasted by multiple lightning strikes?

Perhaps Scott was out there on holiday.

 

[Patrukas777]

I live in the San Bernardino Mountains by Lake Arrowhead..we had one the the worst lightening storms ever! As of right now I'm still staying at my home. Im waiting for the insurance company to send someone to inspect the house to see if it can be salvaged. Its been 5 days and no one has been ent to my house. It just really sucks, everything I worked my butt off for is gone. I really hope they are fair with what they give me. I will definitely look into the 'Megger test'...I have lots and lots of cables.

One thing that really sucks is I will not have a TV for the holidays... it will be my sons Christmas break I was really looking forward to playing some video games with him and watching a ton of movies.

No one was injured. One thing that does suck is I just bought an English Bulldog puppy (9 weeks old) and he was home during the storm. Since the storm he has been spooked..everytime I leave he gets really bad separation anxiety, which he never had prior to this incident. Sucks, he's my $2000 dog who now may hav behavioural issues. Awww well...what can you do.

I really appreciate all the support. Im going to try to post some pictures of the damage so you guys can see what I'm talking about and give updates as they come.

-Peter

 

[Adam]

Peter, I'll add that I'm sorry to hear about the pup. I was hoping that there weren't any pets home at the time. You certainly can't blame him for being spooked after being subjected to multiple lightening strikes! I certainly would still be a bit gun shy, for sure. It's only been five days, though, right? Hopefully he'll get passed it, but I'm sure that there are things that can be done to help with that.

I don't recall my dog, Niki, being afraid of loud noises until one walk where a storm rolled right over the top of us (the kind where you see and hear the lightning at the same time). Ever since then, she's been very afraid of loud noises, especially thunder.

 

[Patrukas777]

Peter, I'll add that I'm sorry to hear about the pup. I was hoping that there weren't any pets home at the time. You certainly can't blame him for being spooked after being subjected to multiple lightening strikes! I certainly would still be a bit gun shy, for sure. It's only been five days, though, right? Hopefully he'll get passed it, but I'm sure that there are things that can be done to help with that.

I don't recall my dog, Niki, being afraid of loud noises until one walk where a storm rolled right over the top of us (the kind where you see and hear the lightning at the same time). Ever since then, she's been very afraid of loud noises, especially thunder.

It's still early and I'm trying to get him use to loud noises...I play guitar and have my dog sit by me when I play my guitar rig (only have the speakers work on it now haha). I'm gradually turning up the volume and reassuring him constantly.

On the good side of things my son's guinea pig is still rocking hard lol...he actually gets hyper when I play my guitar and starts running around haha.

 

[Wannabubble]

If you still have your manual for your panamax, check to see if there is some warranty. I know mine supposedly has a $1,000,000 warranty for the equipment that is hooked up to it.

 

[speakerman39]

I am so sorry you are going through all of this. We all deal with bad luck sooner or later. It looks like you are dealing with yours as we speak. Hopefully, your insurance company will be reasonable. I will keep you and your family in my prayers. If there is anything I can do, then please send me a PM. Here is to some good luck coming your way in getting all of this worked out.



Cheers,

Phil

 

[lsiberian]

Wow dude. I know it sucks now, but you have a great story to tell for years. I hope the dog gets back in the groove soon. Sorry to hear about Niki too.

 

[Buckeye_Nut]

Sooo...This past week my house was struck by lightening multiple times.

Do you think you took multiple hits? Really? Do you know the odds?

Wow.... I can relate to a single hit. I took a single direct hit in 2002 at 2am!!! My family was sleeping when the strike hit directly above the master bedroom. The blast nearly threw my wife and I out of the bed.......literally...it might have...not sure....sheesh... my memory is hazy. It definitely rocked the house!!! Our fire alarms are all hardwired and all activated due to the electric shock...... After that rude awakening, I searched the entire house/basement and found nothing. I hit the "reset" button, the alarms shut off, and I reassured my children that everything was OK...tucked them back into bed....and my wife and I went back to bed.

10-15 minutes later, the doorbell rings!!! I'm thinking WTF??? at this hour? I answer the door wearing nothing but my "tighty whities" and it's my neighbors wife. She tells me...get out...your house is on fire!!!!! I had no idea...!!!!

We all got out OK and most of my electronics survived...Go figure? Everything of MINE...was OK....only satellite related electronics fried, but everything else survived. The interesting thing is many of my neighbors had their computers and everything electronic fried to a crisp.....but not mine....

Weird.....it hit nowhere near my dish...and exited the foundation...but my dish fried and nothing else.

In the end, we had contractors on site for 2 months repairing the house/roof/fire damage, but my electronic stuff survived without a scratch. When the lightening exited, it blew a hole through my foundation about 6" above ground level...and we found concrete 30+ feet away in the backyard!!!!

Fun stuff......NOT, but my electronics survived......LOL Go figure?

 

[Rickster71]

Do you think you took multiple hits? Really?

Probably one strike, but with multiple step leaders. All trying to find a path to ground.
It just gives the appearance of multiple strikes.
Scary stuff, and very unpredictable

I'm surprised one of the neighbors didn't witness it, unless they weren't home either.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Sorry to hear your troubles. Keep us informed as to the insurance company and how it is handling your claim.

 

[pzaur]

It's all replaceable. That's the important thing. Glad you and all other living things are alive and well.

-pat

 

[Patrukas777]

Do you think you took multiple hits? Really? Do you know the odds?

Wow.... I can relate to a single hit. I took a single direct hit in 2002 at 2am!!! My family was sleeping when the strike hit directly above the master bedroom. The blast nearly threw my wife and I out of the bed.......literally...it might have...not sure....sheesh... my memory is hazy. It definitely rocked the house!!! Our fire alarms are all hardwired and all activated due to the electric shock...... After that rude awakening, I searched the entire house/basement and found nothing. I hit the "reset" button, the alarms shut off, and I reassured my children that everything was OK...tucked them back into bed....and my wife and I went back to bed.

10-15 minutes later, the doorbell rings!!! I'm thinking WTF??? at this hour? I answer the door wearing nothing but my "tighty whities" and it's my neighbors wife. She tells me...get out...your house is on fire!!!!! I had no idea...!!!!

We all got out OK and most of my electronics survived...Go figure? Everything of MINE...was OK....only satellite related electronics fried, but everything else survived. The interesting thing is many of my neighbors had their computers and everything electronic fried to a crisp.....but not mine....

Weird.....it hit nowhere near my dish...and exited the foundation...but my dish fried and nothing else.

In the end, we had contractors on site for 2 months repairing the house/roof/fire damage, but my electronic stuff survived without a scratch. When the lightening exited, it blew a hole through my foundation about 6" above ground level...and we found concrete 30+ feet away in the backyard!!!!

Fun stuff......NOT, but my electronics survived......LOL Go figure?

I think my home was hit multiple times. One tree has 6 different verticle stripes of missing bark. Another tree has 2, and my vehicle was parked next to this one. The repair shop said it looks like my vehicle got struck a couple of times (how they know that I have no idea)....they went on to say some of the rubber around the doors is melted, and some of the chrome has been damaged...and my house has multiple damage to the roof and side wall under the roof. I should play the lottery, I bet I had a better chance of winning than what occurred

I'm suprised my house did not catch on fire. Some of the a/c adapters that were plugged into the outlet had blow up, and you can see small burn marks on them.

Im going to try to take some pictures of my stuff before I go to work tonight.