Electrical Safety Tips for El NiNo Storm Season in Southern California
El Niño storms create three distinct electrical hazards for Southern California homeowners: power surges from lightning and grid instability that can damage electronics and appliances, GFCI failures that create shock hazards near water, and improper generator use that can cause carbon monoxide poisoning or backfeed that endangers utility workers. Addressing all three with pre-season preparation is straightforward and far less expensive than the alternative.
Electricity and water are a dangerous combination. El Niño delivers a lot of water. That's why electrical preparation is one of the most important and most overlooked parts of storm season readiness for Southern California homeowners. Burgeson's experienced electricians work alongside our HVAC and plumbing teams to make sure Inland Empire homes are protected from the full range of El Niño risks. Here's what every homeowner should know and do before storm season arrives.
Jump to Sections
Power Surges and Lightning Strikes
El Niño thunderstorms can bring more frequent lightning than typical Southern California winters. A direct or near-direct lightning strike on the power grid can send a voltage spike through your home's wiring in milliseconds, damaging sensitive electronic devices connected to an outlet, including computers, televisions, smart home systems, appliances, and critically, your HVAC system's control board.
Grid instability during storms, where power flickers, browns out, and surges back, can cause the same type of damage more gradually. Each voltage fluctuation can stress electronics until something eventually fails.
Whole-Home Surge Protection
A whole-home surge protector is installed at your electrical panel by a professional electrician. It helps intercept voltage spikes before they reach your home's wiring and devices, protecting multiple circuits throughout the house, including your HVAC system, refrigerator, and other hardwired equipment that a power strip cannot protect.
Power strip surge protectors at individual outlets provide a secondary layer of protection but are not a substitute for panel-level surge protection, especially for hardwired equipment and appliances.
| Protection Type |
What It Protects |
What It Doesn't Cover |
Cost Range |
| Power strip surge protector |
Plugged-in electronics at that outlet |
Hardwired appliances, HVAC, and other circuits |
$20–$100 |
| Whole-home panel surge protector |
All circuits and hardwired equipment throughout the home |
Direct lightning strikes to the home |
$450–$900 installed |
| Combined (both) |
Maximum protection for devices and circuits |
Direct strike to the structure |
Best practice recommendation |
GFCI Failures and Water Hazards
GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) outlets are the ones with the "Test" and "Reset" buttons and are required in areas where electrical outlets might be exposed to water. During El Niño flooding, water intrusion, or simply higher humidity levels, the areas protected by GFCIs become especially important.
Where GFCIs Are Required in California
- All bathroom outlets
- Kitchen outlets within 6 feet of a sink
- Garage outlets
- Outdoor outlets
- Crawl space and unfinished basement outlets
- Near pools, hot tubs, and water features
Testing Your GFCI Outlets
Before storm season, test every GFCI outlet in your home using the Test and Reset buttons. When you press "Test," the outlet should lose power. When you press "Reset," the power should restore. If a GFCI doesn't trip when tested or won't reset, it needs professional attention or replacement. A failed GFCI provides no protection.
Pre-Storm Electrical Inspection
Burgeson's experienced electricians can test all GFCIs, inspect your electrical panel for signs of aging or corrosion, and identify potential code compliance issues before they become emergencies. If your panel is more than 20 years old or you have an older Federal Pacific or Zinsco panel, an inspection before storm season is especially important.
Generator Safety: The Rules That Keep Families Safe
Generator misuse is responsible for preventable deaths across the country during storm season every year. The vast majority involve carbon monoxide, the colorless, odorless gas produced by gasoline-powered engines.
Before El Niño storm season, review these rules with every adult in your household:
- Never run a generator inside your home, garage, basement, or any attached structure, including with the garage door open. Carbon monoxide can penetrate living spaces faster than most people realize.
- Position portable generators at least 20 feet from any window, door, or vent opening.
- Install battery-operated carbon monoxide detectors on every level of your home and test them now, before you need them.
- Never plug a generator directly into a wall outlet ("backfeeding"). This sends electricity back into the utility grid and can kill utility workers restoring power to your street. A transfer switch, installed by a professional electrician, is required for a hardwired generator connection.
- Store generator fuel in approved containers in a detached shed or outdoors, never inside living spaces. Rotate fuel every 3–6 months. Old gasoline degrades and can cause starting failures when you need the generator most.
Is Your Electrical Panel Ready for El NiNo?
Your electrical panel is the hub of your home's entire electrical system. Panels more than 20–30 years old may lack the capacity for today's electrical loads, and some older panel brands, including Federal Pacific Electric (Stab-Lok) and Zinsco panels, have documented safety concerns that make a pre-storm inspection especially important.
Signs Your Electrical Panel May Need Attention
- Breakers that frequently trip under normal loads
- Breakers that feel warm to the touch
- Visible corrosion, rust, or burn marks inside the panel
- Flickering lights throughout the house that are not caused by a bulb issue
- The panel is more than 25 years old and has never been inspected
Schedule your pre-storm electrical inspection with Burgeson's. Our expert electricians serve the Inland Empire and can assess your panel, install whole-home surge protection, test your GFCIs, and ensure your home is ready before El Niño season arrives. Call (909) 792-2222 or request an appointment at burgesons.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to use electrical outlets during a storm?
As long as your home's wiring is intact and there is no flooding near outlets or your electrical panel, standard electrical use is generally safe during a storm. However, avoid using corded appliances or electronics near windows or in areas where water intrusion is possible. If lightning is actively striking nearby, consider unplugging sensitive electronics as a precaution.
What does a whole-home surge protector protect against?
A whole-home surge protector installed at the electrical panel can help intercept voltage spikes from lightning strikes on the grid, power company switching operations, and the return of power after an outage, all of which can send damaging surges into your home's wiring. It also protects hardwired appliances and equipment that a power strip cannot reach, including your HVAC system.
How do I test my GFCI outlets?
Press the black "Test" button on the outlet. A properly functioning GFCI will trip, cutting power to the outlet. Confirm the outlet has lost power, then press the "Reset" button to restore it. If the GFCI doesn't trip when tested or won't reset, it needs professional attention or replacement. Test all GFCIs in your home before storm season.
Do I need a permit for whole-home surge protection?
Installing a whole-home surge protector at the electrical panel may require a permit in California, depending on the installation and local requirements. Burgeson's can help manage applicable permit requirements as part of the installation.
Ensure Your Electrical System Is El NiNo Ready
Ready to protect your home before El Niño arrives? Call Burgeson's at (909) 792-2222 or request an appointment online at burgesons.com.
Serving Redlands, Riverside, San Bernardino, and the Inland Empire since 1949.