Hurricane season officially runs from June 1 through November 30, but Gulf Coast storms can develop outside that window. For Gulf Shores homeowners, preparation is not optional — it is the difference between a minor inconvenience and a major safety hazard or financial loss.
Your electrical panel is the first thing a licensed electrician should look at before storm season. An aging panel with corroded connections, overloaded circuits, or outdated breakers is a fire risk under normal conditions. Under the stress of a storm — voltage spikes, power surges from utility restoration, and extended operation — it becomes a serious hazard. A panel inspection takes about an hour and costs far less than the damage a panel failure can cause.
When utility power is restored after a storm, it often comes back with voltage spikes that can damage or destroy electronics, appliances, and HVAC equipment. A whole-home surge protector installed at the panel protects everything in your home simultaneously. Point-of-use surge strips only protect what is plugged into them. For a home on the Gulf Coast, a whole-home surge protector is one of the best investments you can make.
The worst time to buy a generator is after a storm warning is issued. Generator dealers and installers sell out weeks before a major storm makes landfall. Lead times for installation can run 4 to 6 weeks under normal conditions and much longer during storm season. If you are thinking about a standby generator, the time to act is January through April — before the season begins.
A whole home standby generator runs on natural gas or propane, starts automatically within seconds of a power loss, and can run indefinitely as long as fuel is available. It is the only solution that keeps your AC, refrigerator, medical equipment, and security system running without any action on your part.
GFCI outlets near water sources — kitchens, bathrooms, garages, outdoor outlets — should be tested before storm season. Press the test button on each GFCI outlet. If the reset button does not pop out, the outlet has failed and needs to be replaced. Failed GFCI protection near water is a serious shock hazard, especially when flooding is possible.
Outdoor outlets, light fixtures, and electrical panels should be inspected for weatherproofing before storm season. Covers should be intact and sealed. Any outdoor fixture with cracked or missing weatherproofing should be replaced before a storm brings heavy rain and wind-driven water into the enclosure.
If your home floods or you need to evacuate, knowing how to safely shut off your main breaker is important. The main breaker is typically the large double-pole breaker at the top of your panel. Turning it off disconnects your home from utility power. Do not enter standing water near electrical equipment. If your panel is in a flooded area, call your utility company to disconnect power at the meter before entering.
Gulf Shores Electrical performs pre-season electrical inspections for homeowners throughout Baldwin County. Call us at (251) 644-6262 to schedule an inspection before storm season begins.
Call or book online. We serve all of Baldwin County.