Storm season in LA typically runs through fall and winter, with rain events and the occasional windstorm creating real risks to home electrical systems. A few hours of preparation can prevent thousands of dollars in damage and keep your family safe. This guide is for Encino homeowners who want to protect their electrical system before the next storm.
Why storm preparation matters
A few specific reasons:
Power surges
- Lightning strikes — for the work
- Grid fluctuations — sometimes
- Damage to electronics — for the work
- Equipment loss — for the work
Power surges are real.
Water damage
- Flooding — sometimes
- Leaks — sometimes
- Electrical damage — for the work
- Safety concerns — for the work
Water damage is dangerous.
Power outages
- Storms cause outages — for the work
- Food spoilage — sometimes
- No heating/cooling — sometimes
- Safety concerns — for the work
Outages affect daily life.
Wind damage
- Trees on lines — sometimes
- Damage to service — sometimes
- Power loss — for the work
- Repairs needed — for the work
Wind damage is real.
Electrical safety
- Downed lines — for the work
- Wet electrical — for the work
- Damage — sometimes
- Safety — for the work
Safety is paramount.
Before the storm
A few specific things:
Inspect outdoor wiring
- Service entrance — for the work
- Outdoor outlets — for the work
- Lighting — for the work
- Pool equipment — sometimes
Outdoor wiring.
Trim trees
- Near power lines — for the work
- Near service — for the work
- Fall risk — for the work
- Strategic — for the work
Trim trees.
Secure outdoor items
- Antennas — sometimes
- Satellite dishes — sometimes
- Outdoor equipment — for the work
- Loose items — for the work
Secure items.
Test backup systems
- Generator — for the work
- Battery backup — for the work
- UPS — sometimes
- Specific equipment — for the work
Test backup.
Surge protection
A few specific things:
Whole-house surge protector
- At panel — installed
- Professional installation — for the work
- Best protection — for the work
- Investment — for the work
Whole-house protection.
Point-of-use surge protectors
- For electronics — for the work
- Power strips — sometimes
- Specific equipment — for the work
- Lower protection — for the work
Point-of-use.
UPS systems
- For computers — for the work
- Critical equipment — for the work
- Battery backup — for the work
- Specific uses — for the work
UPS for critical equipment.
Smart protection
- Connected devices — sometimes
- Smart home — sometimes
- Specific protection — for the work
- Strategic — for the work
Smart protection.
Backup power
A few specific things:
Generators
- Whole-house — sometimes
- Portable — sometimes
- Backup only — for the work
- Professional install — for the work
Generators.
Battery backup
- Critical loads — for the work
- Limited runtime — sometimes
- Clean power — for the work
- Strategic — for the work
Battery backup.
Solar + battery
- Backup power — for the work
- Solar charging — for the work
- Long runtime — sometimes
- Modern option — for the work
Solar + battery.
Manual prep
- Generator — for the work
- Fuel — for the work
- Outdoor — for the work
- Safety — for the work
Manual prep.
During the storm
A few specific things:
Stay inside
- Generally safest — for the work
- Avoid windows — for the work
- Avoid downed lines — for the work
- Safety — for the work
Stay inside.
Avoid electrical use
- During lightning — for the work
- Unplug sensitive — for the work
- Avoid plumbing — for the work
- Safety — for the work
Avoid electrical use.
Don't use wet appliances
- Wet conditions — dangerous
- Don't touch — for the work
- Shut off power — if safe
- Call professional — for the work
Don't use wet appliances.
Stay away from downed lines
- Downed lines — deadly
- Stay back — for the work
- Call utility — for the work
- Never approach — for the work
Stay away from lines.
After the storm
A few specific things:
Inspect safely
- From ground level — for the work
- Don't climb — for the work
- Visual inspection — for the work
- Note concerns — for the work
Inspect safely.
Check for damage
- Service entrance — for the work
- Outdoor wiring — for the work
- Pool equipment — sometimes
- Visible damage — for the work
Check damage.
Watch for problems
- Flickering — for the work
- Tripping — for the work
- Burning smell — for the work
- Hot outlets — for the work
Watch for problems.
Call if needed
- Professional — for the work
- Insurance — for the work
- Utility — if needed
- Specific — for the work
Call when needed.
Water damage prevention
A few specific things:
GFCI protection
- Wet areas — for the work
- Code requirement — for the work
- Safety — for the work
- Updates available — for the work
GFCI protection.
Drainage
- Around service — for the work
- Around panel — for the work
- Grade away from house — for the work
- Practical — for the work
Drainage.
Elevation
- Panel location — matters
- Service entrance — matters
- Above flood level — for the work
- Strategic — for the work
Elevation.
Sealing
- Service penetrations — for the work
- Sealed properly — for the work
- Water intrusion — for the work
- Practical — for the work
Sealing.
When damage occurs
A few specific things:
Safety first
- Don't enter — sometimes
- Stay safe — for the work
- Professional — for the work
- Insurance — for the work
Safety first.
Document
- Photos — for the work
- Notes — for the work
- Insurance — for the work
- Useful — for the work
Document everything.
Insurance claim
- File promptly — for the work
- Documentation — for the work
- Professional — for the work
- Detailed — for the work
Insurance claim.
Professional repairs
- Licensed — for the work
- Insured — for the work
- Quality work — for the work
- Insurance approved — sometimes
Professional repairs.
Specific concerns
A few specific things:
Pool equipment
- Outdoor exposure — for the work
- Storm damage — for the work
- Specific care — for the work
- Professional — for the work
Pool equipment.
EV chargers
- Outdoor — for the work
- Weatherproof — for the work
- Storm considerations — for the work
- Specific care — for the work
EV chargers.
Solar panels
- Roof-mounted — for the work
- Wind considerations — for the work
- Specific care — for the work
- Professional — for the work
Solar panels.
Generators
- Outdoor operation — for the work
- Carbon monoxide — danger
- Specific safety — for the work
- Professional — for the work
Generators.
Common mistakes
A few specific things:
Inadequate protection
- Plug strips only — sometimes
- Whole-house — better
- Investment — for the work
- Strategic — for the work
Inadequate protection.
Ignoring warnings
- Flickering — sometimes
- Tripping — sometimes
- Safety concerns — for the work
- Investigate — for the work
Don't ignore warnings.
DIY in storms
- Wet conditions — dangerous
- Don't DIY — for the work
- Professional — for the work
- Safety — for the work
Don't DIY in storms.
Skipping inspections
- After storms — important
- Catch issues early — for the work
- Professional — for the work
- Strategic — for the work
Don't skip inspections.
What we offer
Encino Electrician provides storm preparation services and post-storm electrical repairs for Encino-area homes — with surge protection installation, backup power setup, and emergency response. We work with you on protective measures and rapid repairs. Free estimates available.
📞 Call (818) 643-2345 or request a quote online. Service area: Encino, Tarzana, Sherman Oaks, Studio City, and surrounding LA communities.