Severe storms often bring powerful winds, heavy rains, and lightning strikes—all of which can pose significant risks to your home’s electrical system. While the visible aftermath of a storm, such as downed trees or flooding, might grab your attention, it’s important not to overlook potential electrical damage. Understanding the signs of electrical damage after a storm can help you protect your home, family, and appliances. Here are the key indicators to look out for and the steps to take if you suspect issues.

1. Flickering or Dimming Lights

One of the most common signs of electrical damage after a storm is flickering or dimming lights. This issue may be caused by power surges, damaged wiring, or problems with your home’s electrical panel. If multiple lights in your home are flickering, it’s a sign that the problem may not be isolated to a single fixture.

2. Tripped Circuit Breakers

Storms can cause surges in electricity, which may trip your circuit breakers. While breakers are designed to protect your home from overloading circuits, repeated tripping could indicate a more serious issue, such as a short circuit or damage to the breaker itself. Avoid resetting the breaker multiple times without investigating the underlying cause.

3. Burning Smells or Scorch Marks

A burning smell near outlets, switches, or your electrical panel is a clear warning sign of electrical damage. This could mean overheating wires or components, which pose a fire risk. Similarly, scorch marks around outlets or switches are a visual indication of electrical arcing, often caused by water damage or power surges.

4. Damaged Outlets or Appliances

If a storm causes water intrusion in your home, outlets and appliances exposed to moisture might be compromised. GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) outlets may trip in response to water exposure, but even standard outlets can become hazardous if they’ve been affected. Additionally, appliances that no longer turn on or behave erratically after a storm may have suffered internal damage.

5. Unusual Noises

Buzzing or humming sounds coming from your outlets, wiring, or electrical panel should never be ignored. These noises often indicate damaged or overloaded electrical components. After a storm, this could result from water intrusion, power surges, or lightning strikes affecting your system.

6. Loss of Power in Certain Areas

If parts of your home are without power while others remain functional, this could point to localized electrical damage. This might occur due to a damaged circuit or wiring that’s been compromised by moisture or physical impact during the storm.

7. Visible Damage to External Components

Inspect the exterior of your home for any visible damage to your electrical meter, power lines, or outdoor outlets. Downed power lines or a damaged meter box can disrupt your electrical system and create dangerous conditions.

8. Unresponsive Circuit Breakers

If a breaker fails to reset or appears stuck after the storm, it could be a sign that the breaker itself is damaged or that there is a more severe issue with your electrical panel. A professional electrician should inspect this promptly.

9. Sparks When Plugging in Devices

If you notice sparks when plugging in or unplugging appliances, this is a serious warning sign of electrical issues. Sparks can occur due to damaged outlets, wiring, or power surges—all of which can escalate into larger problems if left unaddressed.

What to Do if You Suspect Electrical Damage

If you suspect electrical damage after a storm, taking immediate action is crucial to ensuring your safety and minimizing further damage. Here’s what you should do:

1. Turn Off Power to Affected Areas If you notice any signs of electrical damage, turn off power to the affected areas at the circuit breaker to reduce the risk of fire or further damage. If you are in doubt, it is best to turn off the main power switch.

2. Avoid Touching Wet or Damaged Electrical Components Never touch outlets, switches, or appliances that have been exposed to water. Water and electricity create a hazardous combination that can result in electrocution.

3. Inspect Your Electrical Panel Check your electrical panel for any signs of damage, such as tripped breakers or scorch marks. If you see or smell anything unusual, leave the inspection to a licensed electrician.

4. Call a Licensed Electrician Electrical damage is not a DIY project. Only a licensed electrician has the expertise to safely identify and repair storm-related electrical issues. At Thomas Edison Electric, our team is available to assess and repair electrical damage throughout Pennsylvania.

5. Document the Damage If your electrical system or appliances have been damaged, take photos and document the issues. This information may be helpful when filing an insurance claim.

Preventing Electrical Damage in the Future

While storms can be unpredictable, there are steps you can take to minimize the risk of electrical damage in the future:

• Install Surge Protectors: Whole-house surge protectors can shield your electrical system and appliances from voltage spikes caused by storms.

• Schedule Regular Inspections: Routine electrical inspections by a licensed professional can help identify vulnerabilities before they become major issues.

• Elevate Electrical Components: In flood-prone areas, elevate outlets, wiring, and appliances to reduce the risk of water damage.

• Trim Trees Near Power Lines: Keep trees and branches trimmed to reduce the risk of falling debris damaging power lines or your home’s exterior electrical components.

Trust Thomas Edison Electric for Your Electrical Needs

After a storm, identifying and repairing electrical damage is essential for the safety and functionality of your home. At Thomas Edison Electric, we provide expert electrical services throughout Pennsylvania, from emergency repairs to preventative maintenance. If you’ve experienced electrical damage after a storm, contact us today for a thorough inspection and reliable repairs.