Emergency Electrical Repairs: What to Do First

# Emergency Electrical Repairs: What to Do and When to Call Electrical emergencies do not wait for convenient timing. They happen at 2 AM during a thunderstorm, on a holiday weekend when contractors are hard to reach, or in the middle of a dinner party when the entire house goes dark. What you do in the first minutes of an electrical emergency can mean the difference between a minor inconvenience and a catastrophic outcome involving fire, injury, or death. This guide is designed to be a practical reference for Florida homeowners. It covers how to identify a true electrical emergency, what safety steps to take immediately, when to call 911 versus an electrician, how to safely operate your breaker panel, and what to expect from emergency electrical service. Florida-specific scenarios, including storm damage, lightning strikes, and flooding, receive special attention because these events drive a significant portion of electrical emergencies in our state. ## Table of Contents - [Identifying a True Electrical Emergency](#identifying-a-true-electrical-emergency) - [Immediate Safety Steps for Any Electrical Emergency](#immediate-safety-steps-for-any-electrical-emergency) - [When to Call 911](#when-to-call-911) - [When to Call an Electrician](#when-to-call-an-electrician) - [How to Safely Turn Off Your Breaker Panel](#how-to-safely-turn-off-your-breaker-panel) - [Temporary Safety Measures](#temporary-safety-measures) - [Common Emergency Scenarios in Florida](#common-emergency-scenarios-in-florida) - [Finding 24/7 Emergency Electrical Service](#finding-247-emergency-electrical-service) - [What Emergency Electrical Calls Cost](#what-emergency-electrical-calls-cost) - [Preventing Electrical Emergencies](#preventing-electrical-emergencies) - [After the Emergency: Next Steps](#after-the-emergency-next-steps) - [Frequently Asked Questions](#frequently-asked-questions) ## Identifying a True Electrical Emergency Not every electrical problem is an emergency. A tripped breaker that resets normally is a nuisance. An outlet that stops working is inconvenient. These situations warrant a call to an electrician during business hours. True electrical emergencies involve imminent risk to life or property and require immediate action. ### Signs of a True Electrical Emergency **Burning smell from electrical sources**: If you smell burning plastic, rubber, or an acrid electrical odor coming from an outlet, switch, panel, or appliance, you have an active overheating condition. This is a fire precursor. The smell often comes before visible smoke or flames, giving you a window to act. **Visible sparking or arcing**: Sparks from an outlet when you plug something in are not normal (a small blue spark is common, but sustained or yellow/white sparking is not). Sparking from a breaker panel, light fixture, or visible arcing inside a wall is an emergency. **Electrical shock**: If anyone in the household receives an electrical shock (not the small static discharge from touching a doorknob, but a real shock from an appliance, outlet, or surface), the source must be identified and de-energized immediately. Even a mild shock indicates a potentially lethal wiring fault. **Buzzing or crackling from walls or panels**: Electrical systems should operate silently. Buzzing, crackling, or humming sounds from inside walls, outlets, or the breaker panel indicate arcing or loose connections. This is an active fire risk. **Fallen power lines**: Whether on your property, touching your home, or in the street near your home, downed power lines are among the most dangerous electrical emergencies. They can energize the ground, fences, vehicles, and structures around them. **Water and electricity in contact**: Standing water in a room with electrical outlets, a flooded basement or garage with submerged appliances, or rain entering the electrical panel enclosure. Water is a conductor, and submerged electrical systems create electrocution hazards and fire risks. **Smoke or fire from electrical equipment**: Smoke from an outlet, panel, or appliance, or visible flames from any electrical source. This is simultaneously a fire emergency and an electrical emergency. **Complete power loss with no utility outage**: If your home loses all power but your neighbors still have power and the utility reports no outage in your area, your electrical service, panel, or main breaker may have failed. This could indicate a serious issue such as a burned service entrance conductor or failed main breaker. ## Immediate Safety Steps for Any Electrical Emergency Before calling anyone, take these steps to protect yourself and your household: ### Step 1: Get Everyone Away from the Danger If there is a burning smell, sparking, or any active hazard, move everyone out of the immediate area. Do not touch anything that might be energized, including wet surfaces near the source of the problem. ### Step 2: Do Not Touch Anything You Are Not Sure About Electrical emergencies create invisible hazards. A wet floor near a faulty outlet can be energized. A metal appliance with an internal fault can deliver a lethal shock. When in doubt, do not touch it. Use the back of your hand if you must test whether something is energized (this causes your hand to retract rather than grip if you receive a shock), but it is far safer to use a non-contact voltage tester if you have one. ### Step 3: Turn Off the Main Breaker If It Is Safe to Do So If you can reach your electrical panel safely (no standing water between you and the panel, no visible damage to the panel, no smoke coming from the panel), turn off the main breaker. This de-energizes your entire home and stops whatever process is causing the emergency. See the [detailed breaker instructions below](#how-to-safely-turn-off-your-breaker-panel). If the panel itself is the source of the problem (smoking, sparking, submerged in water), do not approach it. Call 911 and have the utility company disconnect power at the meter. ### Step 4: If There Is Fire, Get Out and Call 911 If you see flames or smell smoke that is getting worse, evacuate the home immediately. Do not stop to turn off breakers if it puts you in danger. Call 911 from outside the home. Never use water on an electrical fire unless you are absolutely certain the power has been disconnected, as water conducts electricity and can cause electrocution. ### Step 5: Call for Help Depending on the situation, your next call is either 911 or a licensed electrician. The next two sections help you determine which. ## When to Call 911 Call 911 immediately for any of the following: - **Active fire or visible flames** from any electrical source - **Downed power lines** on or near your property, even if they appear dead (downed lines can re-energize without warning as the utility attempts automatic restoration) - **Someone has been electrocuted** and is unconscious, not breathing, or has burns. Do not touch the victim if they may still be in contact with the electrical source. Use a non-conductive material (dry wood, rubber) to separate them from the source if possible, but do not put yourself at risk. - **Smoke filling a room** from an unknown electrical source - **Flooding in contact with electrical systems** where you cannot safely reach the breaker panel to disconnect power - **An explosion** at the electrical panel or meter base (this can happen during severe lightning strikes or catastrophic equipment failure) When you call 911, tell the dispatcher it is an electrical emergency. Fire departments are trained and equipped to handle electrical fires and can request utility company emergency response to disconnect power at the street. ## When to Call an Electrician Call a licensed electrician for emergency service when the situation is dangerous but not immediately life-threatening: - **Burning smell that stops after you turn off a breaker** (the hazard is controlled, but the cause must be identified and repaired before re-energizing) - **Repeated breaker trips on the same circuit** that you cannot resolve by reducing the load - **A single outlet or switch sparking, buzzing, or showing scorch marks** (turn off the breaker serving that outlet immediately, then call) - **Partial power loss** (some circuits working, others not) with no visible hazard - **Electrical shock from an appliance** (unplug the appliance, turn off the circuit, then call) - **Storm damage to the electrical mast, weatherhead, or meter base** that is not involving downed lines - **Breaker panel making buzzing or humming sounds** (turn off the main breaker and call) - **Post-storm evaluation** when you suspect lightning damage or surge damage to your electrical system For [electrical repairs and troubleshooting](/services/electrical-repairs-troubleshooting), Ranch and Coast Electric serves homeowners across [Sarasota](/areas/sarasota), [Tampa](/areas/tampa), and [Bradenton](/areas/bradenton). Call (708) 378-6058 for emergency service. ## How to Safely Turn Off Your Breaker Panel Knowing how to turn off your electrical panel is a fundamental household safety skill. Here is how to do it safely: ### Locating Your Panel In most Florida homes, the electrical panel is located in the garage, a utility room, a hallway closet, or on an exterior wall. It is a gray metal box, typically 14 to 30 inches wide and 30 to 48 inches tall. Inside, you will find rows of circuit breakers with a large main breaker at the top (or sometimes the bottom). ### Before You Open the Panel - **Check for standing water**: If there is water on the floor near the panel, do not approach. Call 911 and request the utility company disconnect power. - **Check for visible damage**: If the panel is smoking, sparking, scorched, or visibly damaged, do not open it. Call 911. - **Wear shoes**: Never approach the panel barefoot, especially on wet or damp surfaces. - **Use one hand**: When operating breakers, use only one hand and keep the other hand at your side or behind your back. This prevents electrical current from passing across your chest through both arms if something goes wrong. ### Turning Off the Main Breaker 1. Open the panel cover (it either swings open or is removed by loosening screws). 2. Locate the main breaker, which is typically the largest breaker at the top of the panel, rated 100, 150, or 200 amps. 3. Flip the main breaker to the OFF position firmly. 4. All lights and appliances in the home should turn off, confirming the panel is de-energized. ### Turning Off Individual Breakers If you can identify which circuit is causing the problem (burning smell from a specific outlet, a single sparking fixture), you can turn off just that breaker: 1. Find the breaker corresponding to the problem area using the panel schedule (the label sheet inside the panel door). 2. Flip that breaker to the OFF position. 3. If the problem stops (smell dissipates, sparking stops), the cause is on that circuit. Leave the breaker off and call an electrician. 4. If you cannot identify the correct breaker, turn off the main breaker. ### Tripped Breakers A tripped breaker sits in a middle position between ON and OFF. To reset it, you must push it firmly to OFF first, then back to ON. If it trips again immediately, do not reset it a second time. There is a fault on the circuit that must be repaired. ## Temporary Safety Measures While waiting for an electrician or emergency responders, these measures can reduce risk: **Unplug affected appliances**: If an appliance is the suspected source of the problem (sparking, burning smell, shock), unplug it. If you cannot safely reach the plug, turn off the breaker serving that outlet. **Use flashlights, not candles**: If you have lost power, use flashlights or battery-powered lanterns. Candles pose a fire risk, especially in a home that already has an electrical problem. **Close doors to affected rooms**: If there is a burning smell localized to one area, closing the door to that room reduces the risk of fire spreading while you wait for help. **Do not use water on electrical equipment**: If an appliance or outlet is smoking, do not douse it with water. Use a Class C (electrical) fire extinguisher if you have one. If you do not, leave the area and wait for the fire department. **Turn off HVAC**: If the problem involves any hardwired system and you have turned off the main breaker, remember that your HVAC system is also off. In Florida's heat, open windows for ventilation if it is safe to do so, and plan for an alternate cooling arrangement if the repair will take several hours. **Do not use generators indoors**: If you lose power and use a portable generator, operate it outdoors only, at least 20 feet from any window, door, or vent. Carbon monoxide from generators kills dozens of Americans annually, with a spike after every Florida hurricane. Ensure your [smoke and CO detectors](/services/smoke-co-detectors) are functioning. ## Common Emergency Scenarios in Florida Florida's climate and geography create unique electrical emergency scenarios that homeowners should be prepared for. ### Lightning Strike Damage A direct or nearby lightning strike can cause immediate and obvious damage: destroyed electronics, blown outlets, tripped breakers, and in severe cases, structural fires. But lightning damage is not always immediately apparent. A nearby strike can damage wiring inside walls, degrade surge protectors, and weaken connections that may fail days or weeks later. After any close lightning strike (you hear the simultaneous crack of thunder and flash, or thunder follows within one to two seconds), inspect your electrical system: - Check all breakers. Reset any that have tripped. - Test GFCI outlets. - Check surge protector indicators (if the protection LED is off, the device absorbed a surge and may be depleted). - Test major appliances and electronics. - If anything is not functioning normally, call an electrician for a post-strike inspection. The Tampa Bay area's 82+ thunderstorm days per year mean lightning-related electrical emergencies are not rare events; they are seasonal realities. [Whole-home surge protection](/services/whole-home-surge-protection) significantly reduces the risk of lightning-related damage. ### Hurricane and Tropical Storm Damage Hurricanes and tropical storms create multiple electrical emergency scenarios simultaneously: **Damaged electrical mast and weatherhead**: High winds can bend or break the mast that supports the overhead power lines where they connect to your home. If the mast is damaged but the lines are still attached, do not touch anything. Call the utility company to disconnect service before any repairs begin. **Flooding and storm surge**: If your electrical panel, outlets, or any electrical equipment has been submerged in floodwater, do not turn on the power until a licensed electrician has inspected and cleared the system. Submerged electrical components often must be replaced entirely, as floodwater deposits conductive minerals and debris that cause short circuits. **Fallen trees on power lines**: Treat any tree that has fallen on a power line or your electrical service line as a live wire emergency. Keep everyone at least 35 feet away and call 911. **Generator safety**: After a hurricane, the temptation to power up a generator immediately is strong, especially in Florida's heat. Use generators outdoors only. Connect through a properly installed transfer switch to prevent backfeeding into the utility grid, which can electrocute lineworkers restoring power. Never plug a generator directly into a wall outlet (known as "backfeeding through a suicide cord"), as this is extremely dangerous and illegal. ### Post-Storm Power Restoration Surges When the utility company restores power after a storm, voltage surges and fluctuations are common as the grid stabilizes. These restoration surges can damage electronics in homes that have been without power for hours or days. Before power is restored: - Turn off the main breaker - Unplug sensitive electronics - Once power is restored and stable (wait 15-30 minutes), turn the main breaker back on - Reconnect electronics gradually This simple precaution can save thousands of dollars in equipment damage. It is another reason [whole-home surge protection](/services/whole-home-surge-protection) is valuable; it provides automatic protection during restoration surges. ### Flooding Without a Storm Florida's high water table, frequent heavy rain, and flat terrain mean flooding can occur without a hurricane. If rising water threatens your electrical equipment: 1. Turn off the main breaker before water reaches the panel. 2. If water has already reached the panel, do not touch it. Call 911 and the utility company. 3. Do not enter a flooded area where electrical outlets, appliances, or wiring may be submerged. 4. After water recedes, have an electrician inspect all affected electrical components before re-energizing. ### Electrical Fires from Aging Wiring Many Florida homes built in the 1960s through 1980s contain aluminum wiring, which is more prone to loose connections and overheating than copper wiring. Homes from this era may also have outdated panels from manufacturers no longer in business, with breakers that are known to have higher failure rates. Signs of wiring-related fire risk include: - Warm or hot outlet covers - Discolored outlet or switch plates - A persistent burning smell with no identifiable source - Lights that flicker for no apparent reason - Breakers that trip frequently If you notice these signs, have your electrical system inspected promptly. An [electrical repair and troubleshooting](/services/electrical-repairs-troubleshooting) visit can identify and resolve hazards before they become emergencies. ## Finding 24/7 Emergency Electrical Service When you need an electrician at 3 AM, preparation matters. Here is how to find reliable emergency electrical service in Florida: **Before the emergency**: Identify a licensed electrician who offers 24/7 emergency service and save their number in your phone. Do this before you need them. During an emergency is not the time to start searching. **Verify licensing**: Emergency situations create vulnerability to unlicensed contractors who exploit urgency. Verify any electrician's license through the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) before allowing them to work. **Ask about response times**: When you call, ask what the expected response time is. In the [Sarasota](/areas/sarasota), [Tampa](/areas/tampa), and [Bradenton](/areas/bradenton) areas, a reasonable response time for emergency service is 1-3 hours during normal conditions. After a major storm, response times will be longer due to high call volume. **Have your information ready**: When you call, provide your address, describe the problem clearly, confirm whether the main breaker is on or off, and mention any immediate safety concerns (standing water, burning smell, etc.). This helps the electrician prepare the right tools and equipment before arriving. **Utility company contact**: Keep your utility company's outage and emergency number readily available. In the Sarasota area, this is Florida Power & Light (FPL) or Duke Energy, depending on your location. In Tampa, it is Tampa Electric (TECO). These companies handle emergencies involving the meter, service entrance, and power lines up to the home. ## What Emergency Electrical Calls Cost Emergency electrical service costs more than scheduled service. Understanding the cost structure helps set expectations: ### Service Call Fee Most electricians charge an emergency service call fee of $100-$250. This covers the electrician's travel time and the premium for after-hours availability. Some companies apply this fee toward the repair cost if you proceed with the work. ### Hourly Rates Emergency hourly rates are typically 1.5x to 2x the standard rate. Standard rates for licensed electricians in Florida range from $75-$150 per hour. Emergency rates therefore range from $115-$300 per hour. ### Common Emergency Repair Costs | Repair | Approximate Cost Range | |--------|----------------------| | Diagnose and repair a single faulty outlet | $150-$350 | | Replace a failed breaker | $200-$400 | | Repair a damaged service entrance | $500-$2,000 | | Emergency panel replacement | $2,000-$4,500 | | Post-lightning damage assessment and repair | $300-$2,000+ | | Repair storm-damaged mast/weatherhead | $400-$1,200 | ### Insurance Coverage Many emergency repairs are covered by homeowner's insurance if caused by a covered peril (lightning, windstorm, falling objects, etc.). Document the damage with photos before repairs begin. Your insurance company may require an estimate before work proceeds, though emergency safety repairs (making the system safe) can typically proceed immediately with documentation. ## Preventing Electrical Emergencies The most effective emergency response is prevention. These measures reduce the likelihood of electrical emergencies in your Florida home: **Annual electrical inspection**: A professional inspection identifies loose connections, overloaded circuits, deteriorated wiring, and other hazards before they become emergencies. This is especially important for homes over 20 years old. **Surge protection**: Install [whole-home surge protection](/services/whole-home-surge-protection) to prevent lightning and utility surges from damaging your electrical system and starting fires. **GFCI and AFCI protection**: Ensure your home has current GFCI protection in wet areas and AFCI protection in living spaces. These devices prevent electrocution and electrical fires, respectively. **Smoke and CO detectors**: Maintain working [smoke and CO detectors](/services/smoke-co-detectors) throughout your home. Test them monthly and replace batteries annually (or install 10-year sealed units). Smoke detectors provide the earliest warning of an electrical fire. **Panel maintenance**: If your panel is over 25 years old, has breakers from discontinued manufacturers, or shows signs of overheating, schedule an [electrical panel upgrade](/services/electrical-panel-upgrades). **Storm preparation**: Before hurricane season (June 1 - November 30), verify your surge protection is active, trim trees near power lines (call your utility for trees near service lines), and ensure your generator transfer switch is functioning if you have one. **Address warning signs promptly**: Flickering lights, warm outlets, occasional burning smells, and frequently tripping breakers are all warning signs of developing problems. Addressing them during a scheduled service call is far less expensive and stressful than dealing with the emergency they may eventually cause. ## After the Emergency: Next Steps Once the immediate emergency is resolved, several follow-up steps are important: **Get a full inspection**: Emergency repairs address the immediate hazard, but the underlying cause may affect other parts of your electrical system. A comprehensive inspection after an emergency identifies any additional issues. **File insurance claims promptly**: If the emergency was caused by a covered event (lightning, storm, etc.), contact your insurance company within their required timeframe, typically 24-72 hours. Provide photos, the electrician's report, and receipts. **Update your panel schedule**: If breakers were replaced, circuits were modified, or any changes were made to your electrical system, ensure the panel schedule (the label inside the panel door) is updated to reflect the current configuration. **Review your prevention measures**: Use the emergency as a learning opportunity. What could have prevented it? Would surge protection have helped? Is your panel due for an upgrade? Are your smoke detectors working? **Keep documentation**: Save all receipts, inspection reports, and photos related to the emergency. These documents are valuable for insurance claims, future electrical work, and home sale disclosures. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What should I do if I smell something burning but cannot find the source? If you smell a persistent burning or electrical odor but cannot locate the source, turn off the main breaker and call an electrician. The smell may be coming from inside a wall where a connection is overheating or a wire is arcing. These hidden problems are some of the most dangerous because they can start a wall fire. Do not re-energize the system until a professional has identified and resolved the source. ### Is it safe to reset a breaker that has tripped? It is generally safe to reset a breaker once. Turn it firmly to OFF, then back to ON. If it holds, the trip may have been caused by a temporary overload (too many appliances on the circuit). If it trips again immediately, there is a fault on the circuit. Do not reset it a second time. Turn off the breaker and call an electrician. ### Can I use my home's electricity after a flood? No. After any flooding that reaches electrical outlets, appliances, or the electrical panel, do not use the electrical system until a licensed electrician has inspected it and confirmed it is safe. Submerged electrical equipment must be inspected and usually replaced. This applies even after the water recedes. Mineral deposits, mud, and moisture left behind create short circuit and fire risks. ### How do I find out if my area has a power outage or if the problem is just my home? Check with your neighbors, check your utility company's outage map (available online and through their mobile app), or call the utility's outage hotline. If the outage is only affecting your home, the issue is with your electrical service or main breaker, and you need an electrician rather than waiting for utility restoration. ### What is the most common electrical emergency in Florida? Storm-related electrical emergencies are the most common category in Florida, particularly lightning damage, wind damage to service entrance equipment, and flooding of electrical systems. Outside of storm season, the most common emergencies are overheating outlets and breakers caused by loose connections, overloaded circuits, and aging wiring. Regular [electrical repairs and maintenance](/services/electrical-repairs-troubleshooting) significantly reduces the risk of both categories. ### Should I turn off my main breaker during a thunderstorm? You do not need to turn off the main breaker during every thunderstorm, but if a severe storm with intense lightning is directly overhead, turning off the main breaker and unplugging sensitive electronics provides protection beyond what a surge protector alone offers. This is not practical for frequent summer storms but is worth considering during particularly severe cells. A [whole-home surge protector](/services/whole-home-surge-protection) provides automatic protection without requiring you to take manual action. ### How quickly can an emergency electrician arrive? In the [Sarasota](/areas/sarasota), [Tampa](/areas/tampa), and [Bradenton](/areas/bradenton) areas, emergency response times typically range from 1-3 hours under normal conditions. After major storms, response times increase significantly due to high call volume. Having an established relationship with an electrical contractor (through a maintenance plan or prior service) often results in faster response times for existing customers. ### Is it dangerous to touch someone who has been electrocuted? If the person is still in contact with the electrical source, touching them can transfer the current to you. Before touching them, ensure the power source is disconnected (breaker off, plug pulled) or use a non-conductive material (dry wood, rubber, heavy clothing) to separate them from the source. Call 911 immediately. If the person is unconscious or not breathing, CPR may be needed. Even if the person appears fine after a shock, seek medical attention, as internal injuries may not be immediately apparent. --- Knowing what to do during an electrical emergency protects your family and your home. Ranch and Coast Electric provides emergency [electrical repair and troubleshooting](/services/electrical-repairs-troubleshooting) services throughout [Sarasota](/areas/sarasota), [Tampa](/areas/tampa), and [Bradenton](/areas/bradenton). Save our number before you need it: (708) 378-6058. Visit [ranchandcoastelectric.com](https://ranchandcoastelectric.com) to learn more about our services, including [whole-home surge protection](/services/whole-home-surge-protection) and [smoke and CO detector installation](/services/smoke-co-detectors).