Summer storms are a regular part of life in Western North Carolina. Heavy rain, lightning, strong winds, falling trees, and sudden power outages can move through the mountains with little warning.
While many homeowners prepare by securing outdoor furniture and checking flashlights, it is just as important to think about the electrical system inside the home.
Storm-related electrical damage is not always obvious. A lightning strike, power surge, damaged service line, or water intrusion can affect wiring, panels, appliances, and electronics even when everything appears to return to normal.
Taking a few precautions before, during, and after a storm can help protect your property and reduce the risk of electrical hazards.
Lightning and utility interruptions can cause sudden increases in electrical voltage. These power surges may damage televisions, computers, appliances, HVAC equipment, chargers, and smart-home devices.
Plug-in surge protectors can help protect individual devices, but they do not provide complete protection for the entire electrical system.
A whole-home surge protection device is installed at the electrical panel and helps provide an additional layer of protection for equipment throughout the home.
No surge protection system can guarantee protection from every lightning event, but properly installed protection can reduce the risk of damage caused by many common electrical surges.
When severe weather is approaching, unplug computers, televisions, gaming systems, chargers, and other sensitive electronics when it is safe to do so.
This creates a physical separation between the device and the electrical system.
Do not attempt to unplug equipment during an active lightning storm. Prepare before the storm reaches your area.
Water and electricity are a dangerous combination.
During heavy rain, watch for water entering basements, crawl spaces, garages, utility rooms, and other areas containing outlets, wiring, panels, appliances, or extension cords.
Never step into standing water if electrical equipment may be energized nearby.
If water has reached an electrical panel, outlet, appliance, or wiring, do not touch the equipment. Contact the utility company, emergency services, or a licensed electrician for guidance.
A backup generator can help keep essential equipment operating during an outage, but it must be installed and used correctly.
Before storm season:
Generators should never be connected directly to a household outlet. This unsafe practice can send electricity back through utility lines and create a serious hazard for utility workers, electricians, neighbors, and the property itself.
A properly installed transfer switch or approved interlock helps safely separate generator power from the utility system.
Always assume a downed power line is energized.
Do not touch the line, anything touching it, or nearby puddles and wet ground. Keep children and pets away from the area and report the line to the utility company or emergency services.
Fallen trees and limbs may also be in contact with energized lines, even when the wires are difficult to see.
Do not attempt to remove storm debris near electrical lines.
Extension cords are often used during outages, but they must be properly rated for the equipment being powered.
Avoid connecting multiple cords together or plugging too many devices into one cord. Never run extension cords through standing water, under rugs, through closed doors, or across areas where they may be damaged.
Outdoor cords should be rated for outdoor use. Appliances and equipment with higher electrical demands require appropriately sized cords.
Extension cords are intended as a temporary solution, not permanent wiring.
When power returns, pay attention to how the electrical system behaves.
Contact a licensed electrician if you notice:
These symptoms may indicate a damaged breaker, loose connection, failed component, service issue, or wiring problem.
Do not repeatedly reset a breaker that continues to trip. A breaker is designed to interrupt power when it detects a potential problem.
Strong winds and falling limbs can damage the electrical service equipment attached to a home.
After the storm has passed, visually inspect the property from a safe distance. Look for damaged conduit, a pulled service mast, loose wires, a damaged meter base, or equipment that appears to have shifted away from the building.
Do not touch damaged service equipment.
In many cases, the utility company is responsible for the incoming service line, while the property owner is responsible for certain equipment attached to the building. A licensed electrician can help determine what needs to be repaired before utility service can be safely restored.
Some storm damage is hidden behind walls, inside panels, or within electrical equipment.
An electrical inspection may be appropriate after a significant lightning event, water intrusion, damage to the service entrance, repeated breaker trips, or unexplained changes in electrical performance.
A licensed electrician can evaluate the condition of the electrical panel, breakers, grounding and bonding, surge protection, wiring, and other affected components.
Storm preparation should include more than batteries, flashlights, and bottled water. Taking steps to protect the electrical system can help reduce property damage, equipment loss, and safety risks.
Kilowatt Electric serves residential, commercial, and industrial customers throughout Western North Carolina. Our team provides electrical troubleshooting, repairs, panel and service upgrades, generator installations, surge protection, electrical inspections, and other services designed to keep homes and businesses operating safely.
If you notice electrical problems before or after a storm, do not wait for the issue to become more serious.
Call Kilowatt Electric at 828-585-2500 to schedule service.
