Wow, very scary. We were at the breakfast table one morning and it was still dark outside. We happen to look out the front window and watch a lightening bolt come down and split our tree right down the middle. I still don't understand how it didn't catch on fire. I am sure the rain helped with that. The tree is split from top to ground BUT we left it alone and it survived. Everyone kept telling us to cut it down but we wanted to give it a chance to heal. And it did. That was 2 years ago and it has fully recovered other than the split down it. Crazy huh?
Just thought I would share my scary story. Because I had to take the kids out for the bus 20 minutes after that :) I was very scared to go outside.
Super glad you are all ok and hopefully your homeowners insurance will reimburse you for all of the damage. :)