Storm Preparation Guide

Before the Storm

• Confirm you can reach the main panel and know where the main disconnect is — leave breaker operation to emergency personnel or a licensed electrician unless authorities explicitly instruct you otherwise
• Label the breakers for essential circuits (fridge, well pump, sump, medical equipment)
• Fully charge phones, laptops, and battery banks while power is stable
• Know your utility's outage reporting number and your account number
• Photograph the panel and major equipment for insurance records

Surge Protection

Most storm damage homeowners notice later is surge damage — not a direct strike. Layered protection works best.

• Whole-home surge protection at the panel is the first layer of defense
• Dedicated protection for the AC and heat pump helps protect the most expensive equipment in the house
• Point-of-use surge strips protect electronics behind that first layer
• Surge strips wear out — replace aging units and any that took a hit

Backup Power Readiness

• Decide in advance which circuits actually matter to you during an outage
• Battery storage can carry selected critical circuits quietly and automatically
• A properly installed transfer switch or interlock is what makes generator power safe
• If you already have solar, ask whether it can produce during an outage — many systems cannot without storage

Generator Safety

• Run portable generators outdoors only, well away from windows, doors, and vents
• Never plug a generator into a wall outlet — backfeeding endangers you and utility crews
• Use heavy-duty outdoor-rated cords sized for the load
• Keep the generator dry and on a stable surface, and let it cool before refueling
• Install working CO alarms and test them before storm season

Protecting Sensitive Electronics

• Unplug computers, TVs, and AV gear before the storm arrives, while conditions are still safe
• Power equipment back on gradually after restoration rather than all at once
• Watch for equipment that behaves oddly after restoration — that can indicate surge damage

After the Storm

• Breakers that trip immediately or repeatedly after power returns
• Outlets, switches, or panels that are warm, stained, or buzzing
• Any equipment that was touched by floodwater — including the panel, outlets, and appliances
• Lights that flicker or vary in brightness across the house
• Partial power, or half the house working and half dark

Leave These to a Licensed Electrician

• Re-energizing anything that got wet
• Generator or transfer-switch connections
• Panel work, breaker replacement, and service repairs
• Any repair that requires opening a panel or working on wiring