What to do right now
- Stay far away from any downed power line and report it to your electric utility. Assume every line is live.
- If water has reached outlets, the panel or appliances, do not turn anything on and do not walk into standing water to reach the panel.
- Unplug electronics that still have power so another surge or restoration spike does not hit them.
- If you smell burning, see smoke, or see scorched outlets after a lightning strike, get everyone out and call 911.
- Take photos of visible damage for your insurance claim, from a safe distance.
Common causes
Nearby lightning strike
Lightning does not have to hit the house. A strike nearby can send a surge through the service, phone, cable or ground and burn out devices and wiring.
Power surges during outages and restoration
Grid switching and lines going down and back up can push surges into homes, damaging electronics and appliance control boards.
Wind and falling limbs
Trees and branches can pull the service drop loose, bend the service mast or tear the meter base from the wall.
Flood water
Water carries silt and contaminants into panels, outlets, breakers and appliance controls. Soaked equipment can short or corrode long after it looks dry.
Direct strike
A direct hit on the house can damage wiring inside walls and start fires in the attic or framing.
Signs it's more serious
- Scorch marks on outlets, switches, the panel or the meter base.
- A burning or ozone smell after the storm passed.
- Several electronics or appliances died at the same time.
- Breakers trip repeatedly once power comes back.
- The service mast is bent, or the wires to the house are sagging or pulled loose.
- Any electrical equipment, outlet or appliance was under water.
When to stop and call. Keep the power off to any area that has been flooded and do not plug in or restart anything that was under water, even after it dries. Flood-damaged panels, breakers and outlets generally need replacement, not drying out. If power comes back on its own to a flooded area, stay out of the water. Downed lines, sparking at the meter, smoke or burning smells mean call 911 or the utility right away.
Safe things you can check or note
- From the ground, look at where the utility wires attach to the house and whether the mast or meter looks damaged.
- Make a list of devices that stopped working after the storm.
- Note the highest water line on walls if the home flooded.
- Check which rooms have power and which do not, without touching anything wet.
Leave covers, boxes and the panel closed. Noting what you see is enough; testing and repairs belong to an electrician.
What an electrician typically checks
An electrician inspects the service entrance, meter base and mast, the panel and breakers, and circuits that feed damaged areas. They check grounding, test for faults, and identify equipment that must be replaced. Damage to the mast or meter base often calls for meter base and service mast repair before the utility will reconnect.
Once the system is safe, many homeowners add whole-home surge protection at the panel. Emergency help after storms may be available depending on provider participation, and the emergency electrician page explains what to expect.
Preventing it from coming back
Middle Tennessee gets severe storms in spring and fall, tornado watches that come with them, and plenty of summer lightning. The March 2020 tornado and the May 2010 flood are reminders of how much damage one event can do. Surge protection at the panel, good grounding, trimmed trees near the service drop, and a plan for outages all help. The guide on preparing your home for storm season walks through it.