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No Power After a Storm or Hurricane?
When it's an FPL outage, and when the damage is on your side of the meter
Downed wires or water near the panel? Stay away and call.
Quick answer
After a storm, FPL restores its lines and equipment. If your meter can, mast, panel or wiring was damaged, FPL may not reconnect your home until a licensed electrician repairs it. Xlectrical's licensed electricians (Florida License EC 13014052) answer 24/7 from Sunrise and serve all of Broward County. The emergency service call is $299 and is applied toward the repair.
Fire, smoke or someone shocked? Call 911 first. Whole street dark? Report it to FPL at 1-800-4OUTAGE.
Do this right now
- Stay at least 30 feet from downed lines and anything touching them. Report them to FPL and call 911 if there is immediate danger.
- Check FPL's outage map or call 1-800-4OUTAGE (1-800-468-8243) to see if your area is still out.
- If neighbors have power and you don't, look (from a safe distance) for a pulled-off service wire, a bent mast or a damaged meter can.
- If water reached the panel, outlets or AC equipment, keep the main breaker OFF and don't touch wet equipment.
- Running a portable generator? Use it outdoors, far from windows, and never plug it into a wall outlet or dryer outlet.
Who fixes what after a storm
FPL is responsible for its poles, lines, transformers, the service drop to your house and the meter. The weatherhead and mast, the meter can, the main breaker, the panel and the wiring inside belong to the homeowner. When a falling limb rips the service off the house or bends the mast, FPL typically can't restore power until a licensed electrician repairs the homeowner's side — sometimes with a permit and inspection first.
Common storm damage we repair
- Service mast pulled away from the roof or bent by a tree limb
- Meter can torn off the wall, cracked or full of water
- Water in exterior panels, disconnects and outdoor outlets after flooding or wind-driven rain
- Surge damage from lightning — dead circuits, failed GFCIs, damaged AC boards and electronics
- Generator and transfer-switch problems after an extended outage
Water and flooding
If floodwater reached outlets, the panel, the AC condenser or the water heater, don't turn the power back on. Electrical equipment that's been submerged usually needs to be inspected and often replaced before it's energized again. We check each circuit before restoring power.
Portable generator safety
Every hurricane season, people are hurt by backfeeding — plugging a generator into a wall or dryer outlet. It can electrocute FPL line workers and start fires. The safe way is a generator interlock or transfer switch; see our guide to standby vs. portable generators and our hurricane preparedness guide.
What we do
- Inspect the mast, meter can, main and panel and document the damage (helpful for insurance).
- Make it safe and repair or replace damaged equipment, with the permit when required.
- Coordinate with FPL so they can reconnect your service.
- Test circuits and appliances that were exposed to water or surges before restoring power.
What it costs
The emergency service call is $299, applied toward the repair when you approve it. Mast, meter can and panel repairs are quoted in writing before work starts; see our price list.
Not sure what you're dealing with? See all common electrical emergencies or call our 24/7 emergency electricians.
FAQ
No Power After a Storm: FAQ
FPL says I need an electrician before they reconnect. Why?
If the storm damaged the weatherhead, mast, meter can or panel, that equipment belongs to the homeowner and must be repaired by a licensed electrician before FPL can safely restore power.
My neighbors have power and I don't. What should I check?
Look from a safe distance for a pulled-off service wire, a bent mast or a damaged meter can, and check your main breaker. If nothing is obvious, call us to test the service.
Is it safe to turn the power back on after flooding?
Not until the equipment that got wet is inspected. Submerged outlets, panels and appliances can short or shock when re-energized.
Can I plug my generator into a wall outlet?
No. Backfeeding through an outlet can electrocute utility workers and damage your home. Use a transfer switch or generator interlock installed by a licensed electrician.
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