Lightning produces more than just thunder. It also can generate a forceful power surge that can damage electronics and appliances.
On June 1 – the first day of the 2026 Hurricane Season – CRS Technology Consultants CEO John Joyce visited the Gulf Coast News studio to discuss potentials impacts of a power surge. His advice? Prepare now because we know storms of all shapes and sizes will impact Florida businesses and homes.
“Protect those things,” John says. “That preparation should happen now to make sure you have protections in place and all the layers you need to, literally, weather the storm.”
That Tech Bytes segment, titled “Tips to prevent power surges, outages from damaging electronics,” gave viewers tasks to consider.
Lightning statistics
Florida has earned many nicknames over the years, including “Lightning Capital of the World.” Although that seems to contradict its “Sunshine State” moniker, Florida is home to Mother Nature’s pyrotechnics shows nearly every day from June through October. That’s why new research released in January 2026 was surprising. The headline from researcher AEM read “Oklahoma dethrones Florida as lightning hot spot.” Barely. In 2025, Oklahoma had 72.95 lightning strikes per square mile, just higher than the 72.93 rate in Florida. The table below breaks down lightning flashes in Southwest Florida:
| SWFL County | Lightning Flashes | Lightning Density |
| Hendry County | 144,776 | 121.8697 |
| Glades County | 116,578 | 118.2253 |
| Collier County | 272,704 | 104.8084 |
| Charlotte County | 87,792 | 92.7931 |
| Lee County | 102,767 | 67.9218 |
AEM data includes 3,144 jurisdictions across the U.S. Lightning density for Hendry was second nationally while Glades was third in the country. Collier was 15th, Charlotte was 42nd and Lee was 270th.
The data is significant. It means businesses, homes, utility poles and streetlights in Southwest Florida are at an extremely high risk of being struck by lightning.
Power surge concerns
Lightning generates voltage surges that can overload the power grid. Voltage normally rises and falls in a predetermined rhythm. Systems can handle minor surges or drops when appliances like an A/C unit or dryer kick on and off. However, lightning causes a sudden spike in electrical voltage that alters the normal flow of electricity to a home or business.
The impacts of a power surge can be immediate and devastating:
- Fried circuits
- Melted internal components
- Corrupted data
Even if a power surge doesn’t immediately ruin a device, it can degrade performance over time and shorten the lifespan of electronics.
It’s widely known that a power surge or sudden power outage is troublesome for computers, televisions, copy machines, overhead projectors and office equipment. John notes anything plugged into an electric outlet is potentially at risk. This includes:
- Computer accessories: printers, webcams, selfie lights
- Mobile devices: Cell phones or tablets connected to chargers
- Household appliances: Refrigerators, ovens, microwaves, dishwashers, washers/dryers, vacuums, lamps, radios
- Gaming systems: Units, controllers, cameras
Five tips to protect electronics
Powers surges can impact all types of businesses. One lightning strike can destroy all data and files stored on a computer’s hard drive or a company’s server. This includes irreplaceable data like financial records, customer accounts, employee information and more. Businesses should always back up data on “the cloud” or an external hard drive. Security and camera systems also rely on power and are impacted by power surges and outages.
John offers five tips for businesses and employees to protect their electronics from a power surge:
- Download software updates when prompted: “Everything can be more protected. One of the things that gets updated is how it regulates its own power. That ensures the battery stays in good health, but it also can protect it from sudden spikes in electricity that can come from a lightning strike or your A/C kicking on.”
- Keep electronics away from water and store batteries where they can be accessed during an emergency, but not damaged if water leaks in through a window or two: “Batteries hate water. Think about getting them up off the ground.”
- Unplug electronics that aren’t currently in use: “It doesn’t have to be a hurricane. It’s that time of the year – 4 o’clock rolls around and it starts to get rumbly outside. If something doesn’t need to be plugged in, walk around and unplug those things.”
- Purchase new power strips and surge protectors: “A $20 or $30 surge protector can save a $2,000 or $3,000 TV. It’s a pretty good piece of insurance. What most people don’t realize is they go bad over time. Every time there is a surge of power, that surge protector loses its ability more and more. Every two to three years, look to replace those. The 10-year-old one behind your TV? It’s probably a glorified extension cord at this point.”
- Consider a whole-home or whole-business surge protector: “You can partner with your electric provider or electrician to get a device put in where the actual utilities enter the building. Yes, you can have a building get hit, but most of the time, the surge comes in through your utilities, typically the power, but it can come through the cable or even the water. Protecting that outer border is the most complex and most expensive, but it’s also the most effective.”
LISTEN: Solid State Podcast
