Storm damage and electrical safety

The Illawarra gets its share of wild weather. East coast lows push heavy rain against the escarpment, southerly busters bring sudden wind, and summer thunderstorms can drop branches across lines in minutes. Storms and electricity do not mix well, so it pays to know what to look out for.

Before the storm

A little preparation helps:

• Keep torches and charged phone power banks handy.
• Know where your switchboard is and how to turn off the main switch.
• Unplug sensitive electronics like computers and TVs if lightning is forecast, or use surge-protected power boards.
• Trim branches that overhang the service line to your house. Branches near network lines are a job for the network operator or an authorised contractor, not a homeowner.
• Check that outdoor power points have weatherproof covers that close properly.

During the storm

Stay indoors and away from windows. Avoid using corded phones and plugged-in appliances during lightning. If the power goes out, switch off heaters, ovens and other appliances so they do not start up unattended when supply returns.

Fallen powerlines

Always assume a fallen line is live. Stay at least eight metres away, keep children and pets back, and never try to move it or drive over it. Report it to Endeavour Energy on their emergencies line, or call 000 if there is immediate danger. A licensed electrician does not repair network lines, but can help with the service connection and wiring on your side once the network has made things safe.

After the storm: what to check

Once the weather has passed and it is safe to move around, look for:

Water in electrical equipment

Water in a switchboard, light fittings, ceiling spaces or power points is a serious hazard. Do not turn circuits back on if fittings have been wet. In homes around Lake Illawarra and low-lying parts of Albion Park Rail, localised flooding can reach outdoor equipment and garage power points.

Tripped safety switches

A safety switch that trips during a storm is doing its job. Try resetting it once. If it trips again, there may be water in an outdoor fitting or a damaged cable. Leave that circuit off and call an electrician.

Damage to the service line or meter box

Look, from a distance, at the line from the pole to your house and at the meter box. Bent brackets, a pulled-away service line or a damaged meter box need attention.

Outdoor lights and power

Garden lights, sensor lights and outdoor power points take the brunt of the weather. Cracked covers, water inside fittings and corroded terminals are common after a big storm, particularly near the beach in places like Windang, Shellharbour and Gerringong.

Lightning and surge damage

If lightning struck nearby, appliances, garage door motors, pool equipment and smart devices can fail. A surge can also damage power points or switchboard components.

When to call an electrician

Call a licensed electrician if:

• Water has entered your switchboard, ceiling lights or outlets.
• Your power will not reset or keeps tripping.
• You can smell burning or see scorch marks anywhere.
• Storm damage has exposed wiring, outdoor fittings or the meter box.
• You need wiring checked before turning power back on after flooding.

Making your home more resilient

After a storm is a good time to consider improvements: adding safety switches to every circuit if your board has gaps, upgrading old outdoor fittings to properly rated weatherproof ones, and replacing corroded outdoor and security lighting with fittings suited to coastal conditions.

We are here around the clock

Flowstate is open 24 hours for emergency call outs. If a storm has left your home with electrical damage, call or text Kalani on 0424 400 346. Photos of any damage, taken from a safe distance, help him work out what is needed.