Home emergency playbook
Lightning strike to the house
Conservative first steps for homeowners before cleanup, repair, or contractor dispatch. When safety is uncertain, leave and call first.
Immediate steps
- Evacuate everyone from the affected area and call 911 from a safe location before cleanup or repair.
- Look from outside for smoke at the roof, attic vents, outlets, meter, chimney, or siding seams.
- Avoid wired phones, plumbing fixtures, metal railings, and plugged-in electronics until responders check the home.
- Tell firefighters where the flash, boom, scorch mark, or burning smell was first noticed.
Do not do this
- Do not re-enter the building until emergency responders or the utility says it is safe.
- Do not reset tripped breakers, GFCIs, security systems, or smart panels after the strike.
- Do not assume no fire exists because the outside looks normal.
Who to call
- Call 911 first for immediate danger, injury, fire, smoke, shock, collapse risk, or trapped people.
- Call the utility emergency line before private repair when gas, electric service, public water, sewer main, or buried lines may be involved.
- Call a qualified fire-protection or chimney professional after immediate life-safety and utility hazards are controlled.
Damage mitigation
- After clearance, photograph scorch marks, damaged electronics, tripped devices, roof penetrations, and cracked masonry.
- Have an electrician check grounding, surge protection, service equipment, and affected circuits before reconnecting loads.
- Keep failed appliance diagnostics showing lightning or surge damage rather than ordinary wear.
Prevention
- Install layered surge protection at the service panel and point of use for critical electronics.
- Maintain grounding and bonding for electrical, gas, antenna, satellite, and communication systems.
- Consider a listed lightning protection system for exposed homes or repeated strike history.
Typical cost band
Usually moderate when stopped quickly; high when water reaches cabinets, flooring, ceilings, or finished basements.
Insurance note
Lightning claims often require fire department notes plus electrician and appliance reports tying failures to the strike date.
Related ProFix resources
Fire Protection Contractor emergency guideTrade-specific dispatch, utility-first, and after-hours cost guidance.Troubleshooting encyclopediaSymptoms, maintenance intervals, contracts, and warranty norms.National FAQHiring, licensing, scams, permits, and DIY boundaries.Cost calculatorPlan the permanent repair after the emergency is controlled.