Storms cause downed power lines, water ingress in consumer units, and surge damage to electrical installations. This guide covers the essential safety steps — who to call, how to isolate safely, and when you need a qualified electrician.
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Written and reviewed by Andrew Moore, founder of Elec-Mate, against BS 7671:2018+A4:2026, IET Guidance Note 3 and the IET On-Site Guide.
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Storms cause some of the most dangerous electrical situations homeowners and electricians encounter. High winds bring down overhead power lines, heavy rain forces water into consumer units and wiring enclosures, lightning strikes damage surge-sensitive equipment, and structural damage to buildings can sever or expose fixed wiring.
Knowing what to do — and what not to do — in the immediate aftermath of a storm can prevent serious injury or death. This guide covers the essential safety steps: dealing with downed power lines, water ingress in consumer units, emergency isolation procedures, and when to call the DNO versus a qualified electrician.
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If you are in a vehicle that has a power line on it or touching it, stay inside the vehicle. The tyres insulate you from the ground. Call 999 and wait for the DNO to de-energise the line. Only leave the vehicle if it is on fire — in that case, jump clear (do not step out) and shuffle away with small steps to avoid step potential.
Water entering a consumer unit or distribution board is a serious electrical hazard. Storm damage to roofs, walls, or external enclosures can allow rainwater to reach the electrical installation.
A consumer unit that has been exposed to water will typically need to be replaced. Water causes corrosion of bus bars, terminals, and the contacts inside MCBs and RCDs, which may not be immediately visible but will cause failure over time.
In a storm damage situation, you may need to isolate the electrical supply to make the property safe. The correct procedure depends on the nature of the emergency:
Never touch electrical equipment while standing in water. If the property is flooded, do not enter it to access the consumer unit. Wait for the DNO to disconnect the supply at the cutout or the meter.
Understanding the boundary between the DNO (Distribution Network Operator) responsibility and your installation is important. The boundary is at the meter:
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Once the storm has passed and the immediate dangers are addressed, a systematic check of the electrical installation is needed:
Lightning strikes — even nearby strikes that do not directly hit the property — cause transient overvoltages that can damage electronic equipment, protective devices, and fixed wiring. Surge Protection Devices (SPDs) are designed to divert these transient overvoltages safely to earth.
BS 7671 Chapter 44 requires a risk assessment to determine whether SPDs are needed. In practice, SPDs are now required in most new installations and are strongly recommended for existing installations, particularly:
For a detailed guide to SPD selection and installation, see the SPD Surge Protection Guide.
Storm damage creates urgent demand for qualified electricians. Being prepared to respond quickly and professionally — with the right tools, certificates, and processes — sets you apart.
Complete post-storm EICR certificates on site. Document the damage, record observations, and send the report to the customer and their insurance company immediately.
Use Elec-Mate's quoting app to provide an itemised quote for repair work on site. Consumer unit replacement, rewiring damaged sections, SPD installation — all priced and sent to the customer within minutes.
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