Storm Season Appliance Prep: What to Do Before and After

Living on the Gulf Coast means storm season is just part of the calendar. Most of the prep advice out there focuses on windows, generators, and flashlights, which makes sense, but your appliances are exposed too, and a little prep goes a long way toward keeping them safe.

Before the Storm

Unplug what you can, especially electronics-heavy appliances. Refrigerators, washers, dryers, and anything with a digital control board are the most vulnerable to power surges. If a storm is close enough that you're already boarding up windows, it's worth unplugging these too; see our whole-house surge protection guide for a more permanent fix that doesn't require unplugging everything every time.

Keep the fridge and freezer as cold as possible ahead of time. A full freezer holds its temperature much longer than a half-empty one during a power outage. If you know a storm's coming, this is a good time to stock up and keep the doors closed as much as possible in the days before.

Move anything you can off the floor. Storm surge and flooding are real risks along the coast. Front-loading washers, dryers, and any appliance sitting low to the ground are worth elevating on blocks if flooding is a realistic possibility for your home.

Know where your main water and gas shutoffs are. Not appliance-specific, but worth a reminder: knowing this ahead of time prevents a lot of stress if something springs a leak during or after a storm.

After the Power Comes Back

Don't assume everything's fine just because it turned back on. A surge during a storm can damage a control board without killing the appliance outright; it might run, but not correctly. Keep an eye on anything acting strange for the first few days.

Check the fridge and freezer temperature before trusting the contents. If the power was out for more than a few hours, use a thermometer rather than guessing. When in doubt, throw it out.

Listen and look for anything unusual. New noises, error codes, or a burning smell are all signs something took damage and needs a closer look before you keep using it.

If something did get damaged, you may already be covered. If you have EREC or FPL surge protection, check what's covered under their program before assuming you're stuck with a repair bill.

We're Here Either Way

Hopefully none of this ever applies to you. But if a storm does take out an appliance, text (850) 377-8827; we'll help you find a replacement fast, and if it's still under warranty, we'll help you get that claim started too.