HPR4762: Surviving the Strike: A Host’s Tale of Lightning

In this intense and personal episode, the host recounts the terrifying experience of his home being struck by lightning twice—once in an apartment two decades ago and recently in his current house. He details the catastrophic damage inflicted on his electronics, explaining how the surge traveled through coaxial cables, Ethernet lines, and USB ports, destroying network cards, a motherboard, a gaming mouse, a garage door opener, a dishwasher disposal, and even an electric scooter. The narrative takes a harrowing turn as he describes climbing a ladder during an active storm to tarp holes in the roof, only to have lightning strike 50 feet away, causing drywall to explode and leaving him with a near-fatal shock. The host seeks practical advice from listeners on how to properly protect Ethernet connections and electronics during storms, questioning the efficacy of standard surge protectors versus industrial-grade solutions, while warning others against the dangers of handling equipment or going outside during severe weather.