How the Monsoon Causes Fire Damage

8/19/2016 (Permalink)

Dealing with fire damage? SERVPRO of Scottsdale has your back!

Monsoon and Fire Damage

The deserts of Arizona, while warm and fairly dry year-round, do indeed carry their own unique seasonal weather patterns. Perhaps the most influential and violent of these patterns is the monsoon, which starts in early July and carries on for most of the rest of the summer. During this period, storms are unpredictable, but often violent with torrents of rain intermittently falling. Due to several climatic factors in the Sonoran Desert, these storms also spawn unprecedented numbers of lightning strikes. For the wood and adobe homes common throughout Arizona, these lightning strikes pose an incredible danger.

Fire damage in North Scottsdale and other cities across the Sonoran Desert is fairly common during this monsoon season, and even if there is no rainfall, heavy lightning and thunderstorms can occur. SERVPRO suggests installing a well-made lightning rod on your home to ward off most lightning strikes, although it is by no means the only solution. Dried out for months of little to no rainfall, homes and the materials in them are brittle and ready for flame, and extreme care should be taken to install reliable fire extinguishers and possibly a sprinkler system across the house. Very recently, a hotel under construction near Scottsdale was hit by lightning and burned to the ground, as its fire safety systems were not yet set up.

It's not only the summer monsoons which can lead to heavy lightning damage, however. In the winter months, starting primarily in December, more rain hits the desert, but also more thunder and lightning. Every year, we see a spike in the number of fire damage cases from residents due to lightning strikes around these times. Take care to keep your home as safe as possible from these disasters, especially if you own a two-story home in a one-story neighborhood (or a building otherwise taller than its surroundings). Additionally, always mind the potential for flood and water damage during a monsoon, as rain typically comes in heavy sheets very quickly, often not easily absorbed by the soil.

Locally Owned Company with National Resources

Strategically positioned to have fast response times and quality coverage across the local community, SERVPRO of Scottsdale is always ready to respond quickly to your fire damage call. If you require our damage mitigation and restoration services, or would like a quote, call us 24/7 at (480) 998-7989.