When a thunderstorm rolls in, most homeowners think about power outages, heavy rain, or potential flooding—but one major risk often gets overlooked: lightning damage to your well pump system.

At County Pump & Supply, we see it all the time—systems working perfectly one day, then completely down after a storm. Here’s what you need to know.

 How Lightning Damages Your System

Lightning doesn’t need to strike your home directly to cause damage. Even a nearby strike can send a powerful surge through the ground or electrical lines.

This can affect:

• Well pump motors – can burn out instantly
• Control boxes – fried wiring and components
• Pressure switches – stop communicating properly
• Constant pressure systems – especially sensitive to surges
• Circuit breakers & wiring – may trip or fail completely

In many cases, the result is simple:

 No water or very low pressure

 Signs Your Pump Was Hit by Lightning

After a storm, watch for these warning signs:

• No water at all
• Sudden drop in water pressure
• Pump won’t turn on
• Breaker keeps tripping
• Clicking or buzzing from control box

If you notice any of these, it’s best to act fast—continuing to run a damaged system can make things worse.

 What To Do After a Storm

If your water suddenly stops working after a lightning storm:

• Check your breaker panel first
• Reset if needed (only once)
• If the issue continues—call a professional

 Avoid repeatedly resetting breakers—this can cause further damage.