Hurricane Electrical Preparedness Checklist

# Hurricane Electrical Preparedness Checklist for Florida Homeowners Hurricane season in Florida runs from June 1 through November 30, and for anyone who has lived through a major storm, the lesson is the same: preparation makes the difference between an inconvenience and a catastrophe. Your home's electrical system plays a central role in that preparation, from the generator that keeps your AC running during the outage to the surge protectors that shield your electronics when power is restored. This guide provides a comprehensive checklist for preparing your electrical system before a storm, staying safe during the event, and dealing with electrical issues after the storm passes. Whether you live in [Sarasota](/areas/sarasota), [Tampa](/areas/tampa), [St. Petersburg](/areas/st-petersburg), or anywhere along Florida's coast, these steps apply to you. ## Table of Contents - [Before the Storm: Electrical Preparation Checklist](#before-the-storm-electrical-preparation-checklist) - [Generator Safety: What Every Homeowner Must Know](#generator-safety-what-every-homeowner-must-know) - [Surge Protection: Your First Line of Defense](#surge-protection-your-first-line-of-defense) - [During the Storm: Electrical Safety](#during-the-storm-electrical-safety) - [After the Storm: Electrical Safety Protocol](#after-the-storm-electrical-safety-protocol) - [Flood Damage to Electrical Systems](#flood-damage-to-electrical-systems) - [When to Call an Electrician vs When to Wait](#when-to-call-an-electrician-vs-when-to-wait) - [Insurance Considerations for Electrical Damage](#insurance-considerations-for-electrical-damage) - [Frequently Asked Questions](#frequently-asked-questions) ## Before the Storm: Electrical Preparation Checklist Preparation is everything. When a hurricane watch is issued for your area, work through this checklist systematically. ### Two Weeks Before Hurricane Season (May) These tasks should be completed before hurricane season even begins, ideally during your spring home maintenance routine. **Test your generator.** If you have a standby generator, run a manual test. Verify that it starts, transfers power smoothly, and runs under load for at least 15 minutes. Listen for unusual sounds. Check the oil level and condition. If the generator has not been professionally serviced in the past year, schedule a service visit now rather than during hurricane season when every electrician in Florida is booked solid. **Inspect your electrical panel.** Open the panel door and look for signs of corrosion, moisture intrusion, scorching, or loose connections. If you see anything concerning, schedule an [electrical repair and troubleshooting](/services/electrical-repairs-troubleshooting) visit with a licensed electrician. **Verify surge protection.** If you have a [whole-home surge protector](/services/whole-home-surge-protection), check its indicator light. Most units have a green LED that confirms the protection is active. If the light is off or shows a fault, the unit may need replacement. Surge protectors have a finite lifespan and can be depleted by previous surge events. **Update your home inventory.** Document your electronics, appliances, and electrical equipment with photos and receipts. Store this documentation in the cloud or on a device you will take with you if you evacuate. This inventory will be essential if you need to file an insurance claim for electrical damage. **Trim trees near power lines and equipment.** While you should never attempt to clear vegetation from utility power lines yourself, you can trim branches that overhang your electrical service entrance, generator, or outdoor electrical equipment. Trees and branches are the leading cause of power outages during hurricanes. ### When a Hurricane Watch Is Issued (48+ Hours Out) **Fill your propane tank.** If you have a propane-fueled generator, verify the tank is full. Call your propane supplier immediately; once a watch is issued, delivery schedules fill up fast. A 500-gallon tank at full capacity provides roughly 5-7 days of continuous generator operation at typical residential loads. **Charge everything.** Charge all phones, tablets, laptops, and portable battery packs. Charge any rechargeable flashlights and lanterns. If you have a battery backup system like a Tesla Powerwall, verify it is fully charged and set to storm mode if available. **Set your refrigerator and freezer to maximum cold.** The colder your food is before the outage, the longer it stays safe. A full freezer can maintain safe temperatures for up to 48 hours without power if the door remains closed. A half-full freezer, roughly 24 hours. **Gather flashlights and battery-powered lighting.** Do not rely on candles during a hurricane. The combination of high winds, potential structural damage, and open flames is a recipe for fire. Use battery-powered LED lanterns and flashlights instead. **Identify your main breaker and label your panel.** Make sure every household member knows where the main electrical panel is located and how to turn off the main breaker. If your panel directory is not up to date, label the critical breakers now: AC, water heater, pool pump, and generator transfer switch. ### When a Hurricane Warning Is Issued (36 Hours Out) **Turn off and unplug non-essential electronics.** Unplug televisions, computers, gaming consoles, and other sensitive electronics. Power surges during the storm and especially when power is restored can damage equipment even through power strips. The only reliable protection is physical disconnection. **Secure outdoor electrical equipment.** If you have outdoor lighting fixtures, landscape transformers, or other electrical equipment that could become projectiles, secure or remove them. Pool pumps and equipment should be turned off at the breaker. Do not cover the generator; it needs airflow to operate. **Program your generator for automatic operation.** If you have a standby generator with automatic transfer, verify it is set to "auto" mode. Confirm the exercise schedule will not interfere with the storm (some homeowners accidentally leave the weekly exercise set during the storm window, which is fine operationally but worth being aware of). **Know your evacuation zone.** If you are in an evacuation zone and authorities issue an evacuation order, leave. No amount of electrical preparation replaces the safety of being out of the storm's path. Turn off the main breaker before you leave unless you have a standby generator and someone will be present to monitor it. ## Generator Safety: What Every Homeowner Must Know Generators save lives during hurricane-related outages, but they can also take lives if used improperly. Every year in Florida, hurricane-related generator deaths occur. Almost all of these are preventable. ### Carbon Monoxide: The Invisible Killer Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless gas produced by any fuel-burning engine, including generators. CO poisoning can cause unconsciousness and death in minutes at high concentrations. **Never operate a portable generator indoors.** This includes garages (even with the door open), enclosed patios, screened porches, and any space attached to or under the living space. Carbon monoxide accumulates rapidly in enclosed spaces and can seep into the house through doors, windows, and shared walls. **Portable generator placement:** Place a portable generator at least 20 feet from any door, window, or vent, and position it so exhaust blows away from the house. Downwind placement relative to the home is critical. **Standby generators** are designed for outdoor installation and have their exhaust systems positioned away from the home. However, verify that your generator meets setback requirements: at least 5 feet from any openable window, door, or fresh air intake, and 18 inches from the building wall. **Install CO detectors.** Florida building code requires carbon monoxide detectors in new construction with fuel-burning appliances, but many older homes lack them. Install battery-operated CO detectors on every level of your home and near sleeping areas. Test them before hurricane season. ### Electrical Backfeed Connecting a portable generator directly to your home's electrical system without a transfer switch, a practice called backfeeding, is illegal and lethal. When you backfeed, electricity flows backward through your panel, out through the meter, and into the utility power lines. Utility workers repairing downed power lines can be electrocuted by this backfed power. **Always use a transfer switch.** For portable generators, a manual transfer switch is an affordable safety device. For standby generators, the automatic transfer switch is part of the standard installation. Never, under any circumstances, plug a generator into a wall outlet or wire it directly to your breaker panel without a transfer switch. If you have a portable generator without a transfer switch, use it only to power devices by plugging them directly into the generator's outlets using appropriately rated extension cords. ### Fuel Safety **Never refuel a running generator.** Shut it down and let it cool for at least 5 minutes before adding fuel. Gasoline spilled on a hot engine can ignite instantly. **Store fuel safely.** Keep gasoline in approved containers, in a well-ventilated area away from the home, and away from any ignition sources. Do not store gasoline in your garage if the generator is running in or near the garage. **Never store fuel indoors.** Gasoline vapors are heavier than air and can pool at floor level, creating an explosion hazard if they reach a pilot light, spark, or other ignition source. ## Surge Protection: Your First Line of Defense Power surges are one of the most common causes of electrical damage during and after hurricanes. Lightning strikes, downed power lines, and the sudden restoration of utility power all generate surges that can destroy electronics and damage wiring. ### How Surges Cause Damage A power surge is a brief spike in voltage that exceeds the normal 120/240-volt supply. Surges can range from minor (a few extra volts for a fraction of a second) to catastrophic (thousands of volts from a nearby lightning strike). Even minor surges, repeated over time, degrade electronic components. During a hurricane, surges come from multiple sources: - **Lightning:** Direct or nearby strikes inject massive voltage into power lines and home wiring. - **Wind damage to power lines:** Downed lines can cause arcing that sends surges through the grid before the circuit is de-energized. - **Power restoration:** When the utility restores power after an outage, the initial energization of the line can produce a surge, especially if it occurs suddenly or if there is a phase imbalance. - **Generator transfer:** Switching between generator and utility power can produce minor surges, though modern transfer switches minimize this. ### Whole-Home Surge Protection A [whole-home surge protector](/services/whole-home-surge-protection) installs at your electrical panel and intercepts surges before they reach your home's wiring. It is the single most effective thing you can do to protect your electrical system and connected equipment during a hurricane. Whole-home surge protectors are rated in kiloamps (kA), which indicates how much surge current they can absorb. For Florida hurricane zones, look for a unit rated at 50 kA or higher. Units rated at 80-100 kA provide an additional margin of safety. These devices are sacrificial by design. They absorb surge energy to protect your equipment, and in doing so, they consume their protective capacity over time. After a major surge event, such as a nearby lightning strike, the protector may need replacement even if it appears to be functioning. This is far preferable to replacing thousands of dollars in damaged electronics. ### Point-of-Use Surge Protection In addition to whole-home protection, consider point-of-use surge protectors for your most valuable electronics: - **Home entertainment systems:** A quality surge protector (not a power strip; there is a difference) rated for at least 2,000 joules - **Computer equipment:** UPS (uninterruptible power supply) units that include surge protection and provide battery backup for clean shutdown during sudden outages - **HVAC control boards:** Many modern AC systems have electronic control boards that are vulnerable to surges. Some HVAC technicians offer surge protectors designed specifically for AC units. However, no point-of-use protector can fully protect equipment against a direct lightning strike without a whole-home protector installed at the panel first. Think of it as layered protection: the whole-home device catches the big surges, and the point-of-use devices handle what gets through. ## During the Storm: Electrical Safety Once the storm arrives, your primary job is to stay safe. Here are the electrical safety rules to follow while the hurricane is in progress. ### Stay Away from Electrical Equipment During the storm, do not touch your electrical panel, generator controls (if the generator is automatic), or any outdoor electrical equipment. High winds, flying debris, and rain create conditions where electrical contact can be lethal. ### Watch for Power Fluctuations If you still have utility power during the storm, you may notice lights flickering or dimming. This is normal as the utility system absorbs damage. If you see bright flashes outside accompanied by a buzzing or crackling sound, a power line or transformer is likely arcing. Stay inside, stay away from windows, and report the situation to your utility company when it is safe to do so. ### If You Lose Power If power goes out and you have a standby generator, it should start automatically within 10-30 seconds. If it does not, do not go outside during the storm to troubleshoot it. The generator can be addressed after the storm passes. If you do not have a generator, avoid opening the refrigerator or freezer. Each time you open the door, you let cold air escape and shorten the safe food storage window. ### Lightning Safety Florida leads the nation in lightning strikes, and hurricanes and tropical storms produce intense lightning activity. During the storm: - Do not use corded phones (cordless phones on a charged base are fine) - Avoid contact with plumbing (do not shower or bathe) - Stay away from windows and exterior walls - Do not touch electrical appliances or outlets ## After the Storm: Electrical Safety Protocol The period immediately after a hurricane passes is one of the most dangerous times for electrical hazards. Downed power lines, flooded electrical equipment, and damaged wiring create risks that are not always obvious. ### Before You Go Outside Wait until local authorities have issued an all-clear. Even after the storm passes, falling trees, debris, and downed power lines remain hazardous. ### Downed Power Lines **Assume every downed power line is energized and lethal.** Do not touch it. Do not touch anything it is touching, including fences, trees, puddles, and vehicles. A downed power line on wet ground can energize the ground in a wide area around it. If you see a downed line, call 911 and your utility company immediately. If a power line has fallen on your car, stay inside the vehicle and call for help. Do not exit unless the vehicle is on fire, in which case jump clear without touching the vehicle and the ground simultaneously, and shuffle away with small steps (to avoid creating a voltage gradient across your feet). ### Inspect Before Energizing Before restoring power to your home, or before the utility restores power to your area, visually inspect your electrical system: - **Service entrance:** Look at the wires running from the utility pole or underground to your meter. If they are damaged, hanging loose, or touching the ground, do not enter the home and call your utility company. - **Meter and panel:** Look for visible damage, water intrusion, or displacement. - **Outdoor equipment:** Check for flood damage, impact damage from debris, and any exposed wiring. If you see damage to any of these components, do not turn on the main breaker. Call a licensed electrician for an inspection. ### Resetting Breakers If your breakers tripped during the storm and you see no visible damage, you can try resetting them. Turn the main breaker off, then flip each individual breaker off. Turn the main breaker back on, then turn on individual breakers one at a time, waiting a few seconds between each. If a breaker trips immediately after being turned on, leave it off and call an electrician. That circuit has a fault that needs to be diagnosed. ## Flood Damage to Electrical Systems Flooding is one of the most destructive things that can happen to a home's electrical system. Salt water flooding, which is common in coastal areas during storm surge, is especially damaging because salt water is highly conductive and corrosive. ### What Flood Water Does to Electrical Equipment When flood water reaches electrical components, several things happen: - **Short circuits:** Water bridges connections that should be isolated, creating shorts that can cause arcing and fire. - **Corrosion:** Even after the water recedes, mineral deposits and corrosion begin immediately, especially with salt water. This corrosion progressively weakens connections and can cause failures weeks or months after the flood. - **Insulation damage:** The insulation on electrical wiring absorbs water and may not fully dry, especially inside conduit and junction boxes. Wet insulation compromises the wire's ability to safely carry current. - **Component failure:** Outlets, switches, breakers, and the panel itself can be permanently damaged by submersion. Internal components corrode, contacts degrade, and mechanical parts seize. ### NEC Requirements After Flooding The National Electrical Code and Florida Building Code have specific requirements for electrical systems that have been submerged. In general, any electrical equipment that has been submerged in flood water must be replaced. This includes: - Electrical panel and breakers - Outlets and switches below the flood line - Junction boxes and their contents - GFCI and AFCI devices - Any wiring that was submerged (evaluated case by case) - Motors and compressors (HVAC, pool pumps, etc.) This is not optional or negotiable. Submerged electrical equipment cannot be reliably dried, cleaned, or restored to safe operating condition. It must be replaced. ### What to Do If Your Home Floods 1. **Do not enter a flooded home if power is on.** Call the utility company to disconnect power at the meter before entering. 2. **Do not touch any electrical equipment, outlets, or switches** while standing in water or on wet ground. 3. **Have a licensed electrician inspect the entire system** before any power is restored. This is not a situation where you reset the breakers and hope for the best. 4. **Document everything** for your insurance claim before any cleanup or repairs begin. Photograph the flood level, damaged equipment, and overall condition. 5. **Do not attempt to dry out and reuse submerged electrical equipment.** Replacement is the only safe option. ## When to Call an Electrician vs When to Wait After a hurricane, every electrician in the region is overwhelmed with calls. Knowing when you need immediate service versus when you can safely wait helps you prioritize and helps electricians reach the most urgent situations first. ### Call Immediately (Emergency) - You smell burning or see smoke from electrical equipment - You see sparks or arcing from your panel, outlets, or wiring - Your home has been flooded and you need power disconnected - A tree or debris has damaged your electrical service entrance - You hear buzzing or crackling from walls, outlets, or the panel - Someone has received an electrical shock - Your generator is malfunctioning and producing smoke or unusual odors Ranch and Coast Electric provides [electrical repair and troubleshooting](/services/electrical-repairs-troubleshooting) services for storm-related emergencies. Call **(708) 378-6058** for urgent situations. ### Call Soon (Within Days) - Your generator ran during the storm but is now showing error codes - Some circuits work but others do not, even after resetting breakers - You notice a burning smell from outlets or switches that stops when the circuit is turned off - Outdoor electrical equipment (pool pump, landscape lighting, etc.) was damaged - Your surge protector indicator shows it has been depleted ### Can Wait (Schedule When Available) - Your generator needs post-storm maintenance (oil change, inspection) - You want to add a whole-home surge protector before the next storm - You are considering a generator installation for next hurricane season - You want a general electrical inspection to assess the health of your system ## Insurance Considerations for Electrical Damage Understanding how your homeowner's insurance covers (and does not cover) hurricane-related electrical damage can save you significant stress and money. ### What Is Typically Covered Standard Florida homeowner's insurance policies generally cover electrical damage caused by named storms, including: - Damage to your electrical system from wind-borne debris - Surge damage to appliances and electronics (subject to policy limits and deductibles) - Electrical repairs needed due to structural damage from the storm - Replacement of electrical equipment damaged by storm surge or flooding (only if you have flood insurance, which is a separate policy) ### What Is Typically NOT Covered - Pre-existing electrical deficiencies that the storm exposed but did not cause - Generator damage from normal wear or improper maintenance - Power loss itself (your insurance covers damage to your property, not the inconvenience of being without power) - Food spoilage (some policies include limited coverage, typically $250-$500) - Damage caused by homeowner negligence (such as running a generator indoors) ### Florida-Specific Insurance Considerations **Hurricane deductible:** Florida policies have a separate hurricane deductible, typically 2-5% of the home's insured value. For a home insured at $400,000, a 2% hurricane deductible is $8,000. You pay this before insurance covers the rest. Factor this into your decision-making about which repairs to claim. **Flood insurance:** Standard homeowner's insurance does not cover flood damage. If your home is in a flood zone (check FEMA flood maps), a separate flood insurance policy through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or a private insurer is essential. Storm surge is classified as flooding, not wind damage, even though it is caused by the hurricane. **Documentation:** Take photos and video of your electrical system and equipment before hurricane season. After storm damage, take additional photos before any repairs. Save receipts for all electrical work, equipment purchases, and temporary living expenses. File claims promptly; most Florida policies have strict deadlines for claim submission after a loss. ### Mitigation Credits Florida law requires insurers to offer credits for home hardening measures, including certain electrical upgrades. A whole-home surge protector, a properly installed standby generator with an automatic transfer switch, and updated electrical panels may qualify for mitigation credits that reduce your annual premium. Ask your insurance agent specifically about electrical mitigation credits during your next policy review. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Should I turn off my main breaker before a hurricane? It depends. If you have a standby generator, leave the main breaker on so the generator can detect the power loss and activate automatically. If you do not have a generator and you are evacuating, turning off the main breaker is a reasonable precaution. It prevents potential electrical fires from power surges when utility power is restored, and it protects your home from shorts if water enters the electrical system. If you are staying home without a generator, you can leave the main breaker on but should unplug sensitive electronics. ### How long after a hurricane should I wait to use my electrical system? If your home did not flood, you see no damage to the electrical service entrance, and breakers are not tripping unexpectedly, your electrical system is likely safe to use once power is restored. If you have any doubts, if you see damage, smell burning, or hear unusual sounds, wait until a licensed electrician has inspected the system. ### Can a power surge from a hurricane destroy my AC system? Yes. Modern AC systems have electronic control boards that are vulnerable to power surges. A single large surge or repeated smaller surges can destroy the control board, compressor relay, or thermostat. [Whole-home surge protection](/services/whole-home-surge-protection) is the most effective defense. Replacing an AC control board costs $200-$800, while whole-home surge protection costs $300-$600 installed, making it a worthwhile investment even without hurricane considerations. ### Is it safe to use a portable generator in my garage with the door open? No. Carbon monoxide accumulates in enclosed and semi-enclosed spaces faster than it dissipates, even with the garage door open. Place portable generators at least 20 feet from any door, window, or vent, and ensure exhaust points away from the house. People have died from CO poisoning while using generators in garages with the doors open. It is not safe under any circumstances. ### What should I do if my neighbor's generator is creating carbon monoxide that enters my home? If you suspect CO is entering your home from any source, leave the home immediately and call 911. If your CO detector alarms, treat it as an emergency. After the immediate danger is addressed, your local fire department or code enforcement can address improperly placed generators. ### How much does it cost to repair hurricane damage to an electrical system? Costs vary enormously depending on the extent of damage. Minor repairs such as replacing a damaged outlet or resetting a tripped GFCI might cost $100-$300. Replacing a flooded electrical panel with all new breakers runs $2,000-$4,000. Rewiring a flood-damaged section of a home can cost $5,000-$15,000 or more. Get a detailed inspection and written estimate before authorizing major repairs, and file your insurance claim before work begins. ### Should I invest in both a generator and a whole-home surge protector? Yes. These systems address different problems. A [generator](/services/generator-installation) keeps your power on during an outage. A surge protector prevents damage to your electrical system and electronics from voltage spikes. Neither one substitutes for the other. Most electricians recommend both for Florida homes, and the combination provides comprehensive protection during hurricane season. --- Prepare your home's electrical system for hurricane season with help from Ranch and Coast Electric. We serve [Sarasota](/areas/sarasota), [Tampa](/areas/tampa), [St. Petersburg](/areas/st-petersburg), and surrounding Florida communities. Call **(708) 378-6058** or visit [ranchandcoastelectric.com](https://ranchandcoastelectric.com) to schedule a pre-season inspection or discuss [generator installation](/services/generator-installation), [surge protection](/services/whole-home-surge-protection), or [electrical repairs](/services/electrical-repairs-troubleshooting).