Water Well Drilling Weatherford sees a jump in no-water calls after every round of spring storms. Lightning damage to well pumps is a big part of the reason. According to Vaisala’s 2025 Annual Lightning Report, Texas recorded 47 million lightning events in 2025, more than any other state and more than runners-up Florida and Oklahoma combined. The year’s most active lightning day nationally came on April 5, ahead of the usual May–September peak.
How lightning reaches a pump 200 feet down
A strike doesn’t have to hit the well. A nearby strike sends a surge through power lines or the ground. It travels down the pump wire, the longest conductor on the property, to the motor. The weak points it finds:
- The motor windings and their insulation
- The start capacitor and relay in the control box on three-wire pumps
- The pressure switch contacts
- Electronics in constant-pressure drives, which are especially vulnerable
Signs after a storm
- No water, breaker on. Often a control-box capacitor, the switch, or a motor that no longer runs.
- Breaker trips when the pump starts. Possibly a shorted motor or damaged wire.
- Pump hums but doesn’t run. Usually a failed capacitor or relay.
- A burnt smell or scorch marks at the switch or control box.
If you see any of these, turn the breaker off and call. A surface test (voltage, amps and an insulation reading on the wire and motor) tells us whether the damage is above ground (usually $150–$400) or down the well.
Protection that actually works
- A lightning (surge) arrestor at the control box or disconnect. Franklin Electric’s installation manual says arrestors are most economical when installed with the pump. It stresses that the arrestor’s ground must connect metal-to-metal to the water strata, typically through the metal casing or the pump. Grounding to a driven rod or the supply ground provides little or no protection for the motor.
- Proper grounding of the pump motor and well casing to code.
- Surge protection for constant-pressure drives, which cost more to replace than a standard control.
- An arrestor won’t stop a direct strike, only induced surges. That’s still most of what hits wells.
What insurance may cover
Many homeowners policies cover sudden damage from lightning or a power surge but not wear and tear. After a storm, we write down what failed and why: readings, the damaged parts, and the storm date. That gives your agent what they need. Policies vary, so check yours.
Don’t forget the tank
Storm season is also when a failing pressure tank shows itself, because outages and restarts make the pump cycle hard. If your pump was already short-cycling, see signs of a bad pressure tank. For storm damage, see well pump repair.
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