Tallahassee’s weather is heating up, and we’re entering the cusp of our storm season. As such, it’s a good time to reflect on how badly our area was walloped by storms in 2024. On May 10th, a line of severe thunderstorms packed with tornado-force winds caused enough damage to warrant the governor’s issuance of a state of emergency declaration. Over the ensuing days, additional storms caused more damage, delaying the restoration of widespread power outages. An assistant Tallahassee city manager noted that a “record-breaking number of homes will need an electrician and repairs” among the city’s extensive damage.

In August, Tallahassee dodged a bullet from Hurricane Debby, which only hit with a glancing blow that caused limited damages and power outages. However, another grazing blow from Category 4 Hurricane Helene in late September caused more extensive damages and power outages.

If you live in the Tallahassee area, you likely suffered damage from at least one of those storms. As we enter another storm season, it’s a good time to assess what we can do to protect our homes better from storm damage. The electrical experts at Meeks Electrical Services can help with this exercise with the following tips on how to protect your home’s electrical system.

Ensure Electrical Components are Storm-Resistant

Your front line of storm defense starts with outdoor electrical components. To the extent possible, trim any tree branches that could fall on the power lines feeding your house, and contact your utility company to report any branches that could impact the main lines. Confirm that your home’s grounding rod and connections effectively create a solid ground path to safely discharge excess electricity. If unsure, get a professional electrician to conduct a safety inspection. Check your outdoor outlets to ensure they are weatherproof with ground fault protection and that the covers and seals are firmly intact. If not, have your electrician replace them. If you do hire an electrician, ask about the feasibility of installing an impact-resistant meter box and whether any electrical utility poles on the property could benefit from wind-resistant bracing.

Create a Hurricane Preparedness Plan

If you haven’t already done so, create a hurricane preparedness plan, like the one recommended by the Red Cross. When developing your plan, include provisions covering your home’s electrical system, like instructions for shutting off the main breaker panel and contact information for your electrician and the power company. The plan should also include instructions on how to safely operate your home’s generator, if so equipped.

Generator Readiness

As we know, storms can cause extended power outages, and many Tallahassee-are homeowners now have emergency portable or “whole-home” generators. If this describes you, your storm season prep work should include re-familiarizing yourself with generator operation and safety features. If you don’t have a generator, now might be the perfect time to get one. Your electrician can provide guidance on choosing the right size and wattage to meet your family’s emergency electrical needs.

Protecting Appliances and Electronics

Storms can wreak havoc on electric utilities, causing them to emit power surges that can damage appliances and valuable electronics. If nothing else, you can unplug them every time a storm approaches, but power surge protection is much easier. While you can protect appliances and electronics with individual surge protectors, the best option is to have your electrician install a whole-house surge protector. Along with power surges, appliances and electronics can be destroyed by flooding. Thus, if your home is in a flood zone, have plans to elevate or otherwise protect electronics from potential flood waters.

Post-Storm Electrical Safety Considerations

When assessing potential damage after a storm, electrical safety must be top of mind. Before stepping outside, scan the area to ensure that the storm did not knock down any power lines. If you see any downed lines, steer clear, do not step on nearby wet or soggy ground, and report the issue to the power company. Contact your electrician if you’re experiencing any post-storm problems with the home’s electrical system, and do not use any electronics that have been exposed to storm or flood water until your electrician has inspected them.

Trust Meeks for All of Your Home’s Electrical Needs

The expert service technicians of Tallahassee’s Meeks Electrical Services stand ready to help protect your home’s electrical system from future storm damage or to assist with post-storm electrical repairs. With over 45 years of delivering the best electrical services to Leon County residents, we’re the go-to company for all household electrical service needs. To schedule electrical upgrades, repairs, or other services, contact us online or call (850) 575-3201.