How far should I stay away from a downed power line?

Stay at least 35 feet away from any downed line, and assume every downed line is energized even if it is not sparking or moving. Power can travel through the ground around a fallen line, so keep others back and warn approaching drivers or pedestrians. If a line falls across your car, stay inside unless the vehicle catches fire. Report downed lines to your utility immediately; in Northern Virginia that is Dominion Energy.

Is it safe to use a portable generator during a storm outage?

Only if you operate it correctly. Never run a generator indoors, in a garage, or in any enclosed space; its exhaust contains carbon monoxide, which is odorless and deadly. Place it at least 20 feet from the house with the exhaust pointed away, let it cool before refueling, and use heavy-duty outdoor-rated cords. Never connect a generator directly to a wall outlet (backfeeding); that can electrocute utility crews repairing lines and damage your system. The safe way to power house circuits is through a professionally installed transfer switch.

What should I do with my electronics before a storm?

Unplug sensitive electronics such as computers, TVs, and AV gear before the storm arrives, because a nearby lightning strike or grid disturbance can send a damaging surge through the wiring. For protection you do not have to manage manually, install whole-home surge protection at the panel and pair it with point-of-use surge protectors on the most valuable equipment. Surge protection on cable, phone, and internet lines closes the other common path a surge can take into your devices.

My electrical panel got wet in a flood. Can I just turn the power back on?

No. Never restore power to a panel, outlets, or wiring that was submerged or significantly wet until a licensed electrician inspects it. Water inside the panel, breakers, outlets, and switches can cause shock and fire even after the surface dries, and submerged panels often have to be replaced entirely. Do not touch electrical equipment while standing in water; if you could not safely shut off the main beforehand, call the utility to disconnect, and document all damage for insurance.

When should I call an electrician after a storm?

Call a licensed electrician if your electrical system was flooded or exposed to significant moisture, if you see damage to wiring, outlets, or the panel, if you smell burning or see scorch marks, if breakers trip immediately when you try to restore power, if your home was struck by lightning, or if you notice flickering, buzzing, or other unusual behavior once power returns. These are signs of damage that needs professional evaluation before the system is safe to use.

Electrical Safety During Storms: Before, During, and After

Severe storms -- whether thunderstorms, hurricanes, or winter ice storms -- create significant electrical hazards. Lightning, downed power lines, flooding, and power outages all present risks that homeowners need to understand and prepare for. This guide covers essential electrical safety measures for before, during, and after severe weather events.

Key Takeaways

Install whole-home surge protection and unplug sensitive electronics before storms arrive.
Never touch electrical equipment while standing in water -- if flooding threatens your panel, call the utility company.
Assume ALL downed power lines are energized and stay at least 35 feet away.
Never run a portable generator indoors or connect it directly to home wiring without a transfer switch.

Before the Storm: Preparation

Surge Protection

Lightning strikes and power grid disturbances during storms cause damaging power surges. Before storm season:

Planning Backup Power for Your Home?

Stay powered through the next outage. We install portable generator hookups — manual transfer switches, interlock kits, and exterior inlet boxes for safe, backfeed-free connection — and we supply and install battery backup power stations (EcoFlow, Bluetti, Anker SOLIX) for silent, fuel-free runtime. Call (703) 997-0026 for a free in-home assessment.

Request a Backup Power Consultation →

Install whole-home surge protection at your electrical panel
Use point-of-use surge protectors for sensitive electronics
Consider surge protection for cable, phone, and internet lines

Backup Power Planning

Extended outages are common during severe storms. Consider your options:

Portable generators: Affordable but require careful, safe operation outdoors and a transfer switch or interlock kit to power home circuits
Battery power stations: Silent, fuel-free, indoor-safe units (EcoFlow, Bluetti, Anker SOLIX) that recharge from grid or solar — ideal for homes with medical equipment needs or frequent outages
Whole-home battery integration: Larger battery systems hardwire to your panel through a transfer switch or smart home panel to automatically power selected circuits

Emergency Kit Preparation

Assemble electrical-related emergency supplies:

Flashlights with fresh batteries (avoid candles - fire risk)
Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
Portable phone chargers (fully charged)
Extra batteries in various sizes

During the Storm: Immediate Safety

Lightning Safety

When thunderstorms approach:

Stay away from electrical equipment and appliances
Avoid contact with plumbing - pipes can conduct lightning strikes
Unplug sensitive electronics before the storm arrives (if safe to do so)
Avoid corded phones - use cell phones instead
Stay away from windows and doors, especially those with metal frames

If Power Goes Out

Turn off and unplug major appliances to prevent surge damage when power returns
Leave one light on so you know when power is restored
Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed
Use flashlights, not candles
If using a generator, never operate it indoors or in an enclosed space

Storm Prep Checklist: Before storm season, install whole-home surge protection, test your generator and transfer switch, assemble emergency supplies (flashlights, batteries, phone chargers), and review safe generator operation with your family.

Flooding Concerns

Water and electricity are a deadly combination:

If flooding threatens your electrical panel or outlets, turn off the main breaker if you can do so safely without standing in water
Never touch electrical equipment while standing in water
If you could not shut off power before flooding, call the utility company to disconnect
Evacuate if your electrical system is flooded

After the Storm: Recovery Safety

Downed Power Lines

Downed power lines are extremely dangerous:

Assume ALL downed lines are energized - even if they are not sparking
Stay at least 35 feet away from downed lines
If a line is across your car, stay inside unless the vehicle is on fire
Report downed lines to your utility company immediately
Keep others away and warn approaching pedestrians or drivers

Before Restoring Power

Do not just flip the main breaker back on. First:

Check for standing water near the electrical panel
Look for visible damage to wiring, outlets, or the panel itself
Smell for burning odors
Check outside for damage to the meter base or service entrance

If you notice any damage or flooding, have an electrician inspect before restoring power.

Flood-Damaged Electrical Systems

If any part of your electrical system was submerged:

Do not restore power until a licensed electrician inspects the system
Submerged outlets, switches, and wiring may need replacement
The electrical panel may require complete replacement
Appliances that were submerged should not be used until inspected
Document all damage for insurance purposes

Generator Safety After Storms

If using a portable generator during extended outages:

Never run generators indoors, in garages, or in enclosed spaces - carbon monoxide is deadly
Place generators at least 20 feet from the home with exhaust pointing away
Never connect generators directly to home wiring without a transfer switch
Let generators cool before refueling
Use heavy-duty, outdoor-rated extension cords

When to Call an Electrician

Contact a licensed electrician after a storm if:

Your electrical system was flooded or exposed to significant moisture
You see visible damage to wiring, outlets, or your panel
You smell burning or notice scorch marks
Breakers trip immediately when you try to restore power
Your home was struck by lightning
You notice flickering, buzzing, or other unusual behavior after power is restored

Long-Term Storm Preparedness

Consider these improvements for better storm resilience:

Whole-home surge protection: Essential for lightning-prone areas
Battery power station: Silent, fuel-free backup that can hardwire to your panel for automatic critical-circuit power
Transfer switch or interlock kit: The safe, code-compliant way to power circuits from a portable generator
Panel upgrade: Modern panels with better protection features
Smart home monitoring: Alerts you to power issues even when away

AJ Long Electric helps Northern Virginia homeowners prepare for severe weather with surge protection installation, transfer switch and inlet box installation, battery power station systems, and electrical system upgrades. We are also available for post-storm inspections and repairs.

Critical Safety Rule: Never connect a portable generator directly to a wall outlet (backfeeding). This can electrocute utility workers repairing lines and damage your electrical system. Always use a properly installed transfer switch.

Downed line clearance	Stay at least 35 feet away; assume all lines are energized
Generator placement	At least 20 feet from the home, exhaust pointed away
Generator connection	Transfer switch only — never backfeed a wall outlet
Surge protection	Whole-home unit at the panel plus point-of-use protectors
Flooded electrical system	No power until a licensed electrician inspects; panel often replaced
NoVA utility to report outages	Dominion Energy

Key Takeaways

Install whole-home surge protection and unplug sensitive electronics before storms arrive.
Never touch electrical equipment while standing in water -- if flooding threatens your panel, call the utility company.
Assume ALL downed power lines are energized and stay at least 35 feet away.
Never run a portable generator indoors or connect it directly to home wiring without a transfer switch.