--- title: "After a North Texas Storm: Electrical Checks Before Power Returns" description: "Storm damage near Southlake, Grapevine, or Keller? See what to check outside, when to avoid the panel, and when a licensed electrician needs to step in." url: https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/blog/after-a-north-texas-storm-electrical-checks publisher: Daniel Electric phone: +1-817-481-8606 quote: https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/contact --- # After a North Texas Storm: Electrical Checks Before Power Returns After a storm in Southlake, Grapevine, or Keller, stay away from downed lines and call 911. Oncor says damaged equipment on your house, like the meter base or weatherhead, needs a licensed electrician before power can be restored. Do not touch wet panels or flooded outlets. Call an electrician for any damage. SafetyPublished September 14, 20263 min read A storm can pass through Southlake, Grapevine, or Keller in minutes and leave electrical damage that you cannot see. This post lists what to check from a safe distance, what to leave alone, and when to call a licensed electrician. It does not give repair steps. ## What should I do first after a storm hits? Look for downed lines before you do anything else. Oncor says to assume a downed line is energized and to call 911. Oncor also warns that you should never use any object to move a downed wire. Keep children and pets away and stay out of standing water near lines. Then check on people. Do not wait for the lights to come on if there is an emergency. ## What can I check outside without taking a risk? You can look at the outside of your house from the ground. Do not climb, touch, or pull on anything. What you see What it may mean What to do Meter pulled from the wall or cracked Damaged [meter base](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/meter-base) Call Oncor at 888.313.6862, then a licensed electrician Bent or loose cap on the pipe at the roof Damaged [weatherhead](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/weatherhead) Same as above Limb resting on the service line Possible live contact Stay away, call 911 or Oncor Wires on the ground Possible live line Call 911 Water around the meter or panel Wet equipment Do not touch. Call an electrician ## Who is responsible for the meter base and weatherhead? You are. Oncor says the homeowner maintains equipment such as the meter base and weatherhead, and Oncor cannot repair equipment it does not own. If that equipment is damaged or pulled off, Oncor says to call 888.313.6862 to start a temporary hazardous disconnect. After that, a licensed electrician repairs the equipment. Oncor also says that if a meter base is damaged, most city electric codes require a building code inspection before service can be restored. When the inspection passes, you call Oncor to request a reconnect. Our guide on [permits and inspections in Southlake](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/blog/southlake-electrical-permits) shows what that process looks like in one city. ## Is it safe to use outlets and the panel after a flood or heavy rain? No, not if they got wet. Water and electricity do not mix, even after the water drains. Do not switch on a wet circuit breaker panel, outlet, or appliance. Do not stand in water to reach a panel. Have a licensed electrician check wet equipment before you use it. If the power is off at your home and the outside looks fine, Oncor’s page suggests that you first check the breaker at the property. Do not open or work inside the panel. Call an electrician if a breaker will not stay on or you see scorch marks. ## What about generators and surges when power comes back? Portable generators are a hazard when used wrong. Oncor says never to run one in an enclosed space and to keep it at least 20 feet from any window, door, or vent. Do not connect a generator to your house wiring yourself. That can backfeed the utility line and hurt a worker. A licensed electrician installs a transfer switch the right way. When power returns, it can arrive with a [surge](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/surge). Unplug sensitive electronics while the power is out. Plug them back in once things are steady. A [whole-house surge protector](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/whole-house-surge-protector) adds protection at the panel, and our guide to [whole-house surge protection](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/guides/whole-house-surge-protection) explains how it works. ## When should I call an electrician after a storm? Call a licensed electrician if any of these apply: 1. The meter base or weatherhead is damaged. 2. A breaker will not stay on, or the panel got wet. 3. You smell burning or see scorch marks. 4. Lights flicker, buzz, or dim after power returns. 5. A tree or limb hit the house near the service line. In Texas, a person doing non-exempt electrical work must be licensed. Read how to [hire a licensed electrician in Texas](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/guides/hire-a-licensed-electrician-texas). Daniel Electric is a family owned and operated company in Southlake with Texas license TECL #21005. For outage steps before the storm check, see [what to do in a power outage](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/blog/power-outage-southlake-grapevine-keller). ## Next step If your house took storm damage, see our [residential electrician](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/electrician) page. Call (817) 481-8606 or send a request through the [quote form](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/contact). ## Frequently asked questions ### Is it safe to turn the power back on after a storm? Not if you see or suspect damage. Do not use water-soaked outlets, panels, or appliances. Oncor says damaged equipment on your house must be repaired by a licensed electrician before service can be restored. Call an electrician and, if needed, Oncor to arrange a temporary disconnect. ### What is a temporary hazardous disconnect? It is a step Oncor can take when storm damage to your meter base or service equipment makes it unsafe to keep power on. After the repair and any required city inspection, you call Oncor at 888.313.6862 to request a reconnect. ### Should I worry about surges when power comes back? Yes, a surge can follow a restoration. Unplug sensitive electronics during an outage and plug them back in after power is steady. A whole-house surge protector adds protection at the panel. Ask a licensed electrician what fits your home. ### Who do I call about a downed power line? Call 911. Leave the area right away. The 911 operator contacts Oncor. Oncor also takes downed-line reports at 888-313-4747. Never touch the line or any object touching it. ## Terms on this page - [Whole-house surge protector](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/whole-house-surge-protector) - [Circuit breaker](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/circuit-breaker) - [Transfer switch](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/transfer-switch) - [Breaker panel](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/breaker-panel) - [Power outage](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/power-outage) - [Weatherhead](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/weatherhead) - [Meter base](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/meter-base) - [Backfeed](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/backfeed) - [Outlet](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/outlet) - [Oncor](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/oncor) ## Sources 1. [Oncor: Keep Away from a Fallen Power Line](https://www.oncor.com/content/oncorwww/wire/en/home/safety/keep-away-from-a-fallen-power-line.html) 2. [Oncor: Power Outage Safety Checklist](https://www.oncor.com/content/oncorwww/wire/en/home/storm-center/power-outage-safety-checklist.html) 3. [Oncor: When the Storm is Gone](https://www.oncor.com/content/oncorwww/wire/en/home/storm-center/when-the-storm-is-gone--customer-equipment--debris-and-more-.html) 4. [Oncor: When the Storm is Gone (inspection)](https://www.oncor.com/content/oncorwww/wire/en/home/storm-center/when-the-storm-is-gone--customer-equipment--debris-and-more-.html) 5. [Oncor: Storm Center (breaker check)](https://www.oncor.com/content/oncorwww/us/en/home/storm-center.html) 6. [TDLR: Electricians](https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/electricians/) 7. [Oncor: Power Outage Safety Checklist (generators)](https://www.oncor.com/content/oncorwww/wire/en/home/storm-center/power-outage-safety-checklist.html) Written by Daniel Electric and checked against the sources above on September 14, 2026. City rules and product guidance change, so check the linked page before you act. ## Keep reading - [Whole-House Surge Protection: How It Works and Whether You Need ItA whole-house surge protector is a device at your panel that limits short voltage spikes before they reach your appliances and wiring. It does not stop every event, such as a direct lightning strike or an outage. Many homeowners pair it with plug-in protectors at sensitive electronics. A licensed electrician installs it.](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/guides/whole-house-surge-protection) - [Electrical problems and emergencies: what to do first, what to never touch and who to callFor fire, smoke, sparks or a downed power line, leave the area and call 911. For a utility outage, call your utility. For a breaker that keeps tripping, a dead outlet or a warm panel, stop using the circuit and call a licensed electrician. Never open a panel or touch a fallen wire.](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/guides/emergency-electrical-help) - [How to Hire a Licensed Electrician in Texas, and How to Check a License on TDLRTexas requires anyone doing non-exempt electrical work to be licensed and to work through a licensed electrical contractor. Ask for the contractor's license number, look it up on the TDLR license search, and get a written estimate with the company name, address, phone and license number.](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/guides/hire-a-licensed-electrician-texas) - [Panel Upgrade in Southlake: Who Disconnects the Oncor Meter?Do not pull the electric meter yourself. Oncor says unauthorized disconnection of its meter can result in fees and tampering charges. For a temporary disconnect or reconnect, call Oncor at 888.313.6862. Your licensed electrician does the panel work, and your city may require an inspection before service is restored.](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/blog/panel-upgrade-oncor-meter-disconnect) - [Power Outage in Southlake, Grapevine, or Keller: What to DoIn Southlake, Grapevine, and Keller, report an outage to Oncor at 888-313-4747 or text OUT to 66267. Some addresses get power from Tri-County Electric Cooperative instead. Call 911 for a downed line. If only your home is dark, Oncor does not own the meter base or weatherhead on your house.](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/blog/power-outage-southlake-grapevine-keller) - [Do You Need a Permit for Electrical Work in Southlake?In Southlake, call Building Inspections at (817) 748-8236 before electrical work to ask if it needs a permit. Contractors must register with the city, and permits and inspections run through the city's online system. State law also requires a license for most electrical work. Never guess; ask the city first.](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/blog/southlake-electrical-permits) TECL #21005 · Family owned since 1988 ## Need an electrician in Southlake? Call and tell us what is going on. A photo of the panel label or the problem helps us come prepared. Quotes on new installations are free. [Call (817) 481-8606](tel:+1-817-481-8606)[Get a quote](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/contact) ![A Daniel Electric bucket lift raised to a parking lot light pole](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/_astro/bucket-at-light-pole.BSVZ9eST_1Dp6XR.webp)