When Nature Strikes Back: Essential Electrical Safety Tips for Suffolk County’s Unpredictable Severe Weather Season
Suffolk County residents know all too well the destructive power of Mother Nature. From severe storms bringing major wind, heavy rain, and flooding to thunderstorms that knock down trees and power lines, causing thousands of power outages, our region faces significant weather challenges throughout the year. Recent events like the August 2024 storm that produced nearly 10 inches of rain and was classified as a 1-in-1,000 year rainfall event demonstrate just how vulnerable our electrical systems can be during severe weather.
Understanding Suffolk County’s Severe Weather Risks
All thunderstorms are dangerous, and every thunderstorm produces lightning. While lightning fatalities have decreased over the past 30 years, lightning continues to be one of the top three storm-related killers in the United States. The CDC estimates that lightning strikes the ground about 40 million times per year in the U.S., with lightning strikes resulting in 13 lightning-related deaths in 2023 and accounting for over $1.2 billion in insurance claims.
For Suffolk County homeowners, the risks extend beyond direct lightning strikes. Power surges from lightning can cause serious damage, and many times, these strikes can land on or near homes, wreaking havoc on their electrical system, appliances or electronics. A surge can happen if there’s nearby lightning, even if it doesn’t directly strike your home, as these surges can travel down power, phone or cable lines near your home.
Pre-Storm Electrical Safety Preparations
The best defense against storm-related electrical damage is preparation. During severe weather warnings, it’s best to unplug appliances and other electrical items such as computers and turn off air conditioners until the storm passes. Create a lightning plan with your family to ensure all major appliances and devices are protected or unplugged.
Professional electrical preparation is equally important. Know how to shut off utilities including electric, water and gas, to your home. Having a qualified Electrical Contractor Suffolk County, NY inspect your electrical system before severe weather season can identify potential vulnerabilities and ensure your home’s grounding system is adequate.
During the Storm: Critical Safety Measures
When storms strike, your actions can mean the difference between safety and disaster. Do NOT use anything connected to an electrical outlet, such as computers, laptops, game systems, washers, dryers, or stoves. Equip your home with whole-house surge protectors to protect your appliances. Do NOT bathe, shower, wash dishes, or have any other contact with water during a thunderstorm because lightning can travel through a building’s plumbing.
Avoid flipping breakers, using light switches, or touching metal panels during a storm, as those surfaces may conduct electric energy if a strike is nearby. Corded phones are NOT safe to use during a thunderstorm. However, it is safe to use cordless or cellular phones during a storm.
Post-Storm Safety and Assessment
After severe weather passes, electrical dangers often remain hidden. Even if you have been authorized to return home, you should still take precautions to protect yourself from electrical hazards posed by downed power lines, flooded areas, and water-damaged appliances and electrical equipment.
If you see a downed power line, move at least 10 feet away from the line and anything touching it. The proper way to move away from the line is to shuffle away with small steps, keeping your feet together and on the ground at all times. Electrical items, such as circuit breakers, fuses, ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs), receptacles, plugs, and switches, can malfunction when water and silt get inside. Discard them if they have been submerged and have a licensed, qualified professional replace them.
Professional Electrical Protection Systems
While basic precautions are essential, comprehensive protection requires professional electrical systems. Panel box surge protective devices (SPDs) serve as the first line of defense against harmful home electrical surges, limiting voltages by diverting currents at the electrical service entrance. Only qualified electricians should install SPDs.
The most comprehensive home lightning protection system is a lightning protection system. Lightning protection systems installed on your home provide a direct path for lightning to follow to the ground while bypassing your house structure, wiring, telephone, and cable lines. Only experienced and reputable lightning protection contractors listed by Underwriters Laboratories Solutions (UL Solutions) and certified by the Lightning Protection Institute (LPI), should install these systems using UL-listed materials and methods that comply with nationally recognized safety standards.
Why Professional Electrical Services Matter
After any suspected lightning strike, a qualified electrician needs to inspect your entire electrical system for hidden damage. They can identify weakened wiring, check your breaker panel, and find any other potential hazards the lightning left behind. While installing a whole-home surge protector can cost around $300 to $600, it can save you thousands in the long run. It’s best to hire a licensed electrician to install your SPDs because they must be connected to your home’s electrical panel.
For Suffolk County residents, working with experienced professionals like those at Marra Electric ensures that your electrical protection systems are properly installed and maintained. Since 2004, Marra Electric has been providing experienced electrical services to Suffolk customers for over ten years, serving as a valued Suffolk electrician that has proudly served the local Suffolk community and developed a trusted reputation with customers.
Long-Term Electrical Safety Planning
Protecting your home from severe weather isn’t a one-time effort. Annual inspection of your lightning rods, your panel’s ground wire, and your home lightning arrester gives you confidence that your home is ready for the next thunderstorm. Regular electrical maintenance helps ensure that your protection systems remain effective when you need them most.
Professional electrical services include electrical panel upgrades, energy-efficient upgrades, and 24/7 emergency service to ensure minimal downtime, along with generator installation to ensure reliable backup power during outages. These comprehensive solutions help Suffolk County homeowners maintain electrical safety and reliability year-round.
As severe weather patterns continue to challenge our region, investing in proper electrical protection isn’t just smart—it’s essential. By combining personal safety awareness with professional electrical protection systems, Suffolk County residents can weather any storm with confidence, knowing their homes and families are protected from electrical dangers.