Electrical Safety After a Storm: What to Check in Marin

Not if there’s any water involved. The overriding rule after a storm is to keep electricity and water apart: never touch electrical devices, outlets, switches, or your electrical panel if there’s standing water, if the area is flooded, or if you’re wet or standing in water. The shock risk in those conditions is severe and potentially fatal. If water has reached any electrical equipment, stay away from it and have a professional assess it before it’s used or re-energized. When conditions are dry and there’s no sign of damage, normal use is fine — but water changes everything about electrical safety.

Treat every downed power line as live and extremely dangerous, even if it looks inactive — stay well back (a significant distance), keep children, pets, and others away, and never touch it or anything it’s contacting, including puddles or fences near it. Report it immediately to PG&E and to 911. Downed lines can energize the ground and objects around them, so distance is your protection. This is strictly a utility and emergency-services matter; there is nothing a homeowner should do except stay clear, keep others clear, and report it promptly so the professionals can address it safely.

From a safe distance, look for damaged wiring, a damaged weatherhead (where the service line enters your home), tree limbs or debris on power lines, and any electrical equipment that was exposed to water or flooding. Inside, be alert to burning smells, scorching, or devices that got wet. Crucially, observe without approaching or touching — downed lines and damaged service equipment are hazards to report, not inspect closely. Anything that was water-exposed or shows damage should be assessed by a professional before use. Your job is to spot potential problems safely and get the right help, not to handle them.

It can carry some risk. When power is restored after an outage, surges can occur that may damage electronics — which is one reason surge protection is valuable. More importantly, if any wiring, outlets, or equipment got wet or damaged during the storm, having power return to them can be hazardous, potentially causing shock or fire. If you suspect water reached your electrical system or that anything was damaged, keep those circuits or the main off and have an electrician check before energizing. When everything is dry and undamaged, power returning is normal — the caution applies to water-exposed or damaged situations.

Call a licensed electrician for any electrical that was exposed to water or flooding, any visible damage to wiring or equipment, any burning smells or scorching, or any situation where you’re simply unsure whether it’s safe. Water-damaged electrical systems in particular need professional assessment before use, as water can create hidden hazards even after things appear dry. For downed power lines, smoke, or active fire, call 911 and PG&E first — those are emergencies beyond an electrician’s scope. In short, when in doubt about post-storm electrical safety, get professional eyes on it rather than risking it.

It depends on the extent and nature of the water exposure, which is exactly why professional assessment is essential. Some water-exposed components may be salvageable after proper evaluation and drying, while others — particularly panels, outlets, and devices that were submerged or significantly wetted — often need replacement, because water can cause corrosion and hidden damage that compromises safety even after surfaces appear dry. A licensed electrician can determine what’s safe to keep and what must be replaced, then restore the system properly. Never assume water-damaged electrical is fine just because it looks or feels dry; have it professionally assessed.