When a storm rolls through, it’s not unusual for homeowners to notice something strange happening with their electrical system afterward. Maybe the lights start flickering, an outlet stops working, a breaker keeps tripping, or part of the house suddenly loses power.

The first thought is often, “Did lightning hit my house?”

While a direct lightning strike can cause significant electrical damage, your home doesn't have to take a direct hit to experience problems. Nearby lightning strikes, power surges, utility disturbances, and issues with your electrical service can all affect your home's power.

At Deaver Electric, we know how frustrating it can be when your electrical system isn't working the way it should. If you're in Des Moines or the surrounding Central Iowa communities, here's what you should know about storm-related electrical problems, what to watch for, and when it's time to call your utility company or a licensed electrician.

Can Lightning Damage Your Home Without Hitting It Directly?

Yes! Lightning doesn't have to strike your house directly to affect your electrical system.

A nearby lightning strike can send a powerful electrical surge through utility lines or other conductive pathways. That surge can travel into your home and damage sensitive electronics, appliances, and electrical components.

Even if your home looks completely normal from the outside, a storm could still have affected your electrical system.

Some common signs of possible storm-related electrical damage include:

• Lights flickering or behaving unusually

• Breakers that trip repeatedly

• Outlets or switches that suddenly stop working

• Appliances that no longer turn on

• Electronics that malfunction after a storm

• Part of the house losing power while the rest still works

• A burning smell or unusual buzzing coming from electrical equipment

These symptoms don't automatically mean lightning struck your house. They can also point to a utility problem, a wiring issue, a damaged electrical component, or another electrical fault.

The important thing is to pay attention to changes in your home's electrical system rather than assuming the problem will resolve itself.

Why Did Only Part of My House Lose Power?

One of the most confusing electrical problems after a storm is losing power to only part of your home.

You might notice that the lights in one area still work while other rooms are dark. Some outlets may have power, but larger appliances might not be working. Your neighbors may even have electricity while you're dealing with a partial outage.

There are several possible explanations, including a tripped breaker, a damaged circuit, an electrical service problem, or an issue with the utility supplying your home.

It Could Be a Utility Company Issue

If you've lost power to part of your house and resetting the breakers doesn't restore it, the problem may be on the utility company's side of the electrical service.

This is something homeowners don't always realize. Partial power loss doesn't necessarily mean lightning damaged your electrical panel or that you need an electrician to replace a breaker.

Problems involving the incoming electrical supply, utility equipment, or a damaged service connection can sometimes cause a home to lose power to only part of its electrical system. This may happen after a storm, even if the house wasn't directly struck by lightning.

If you've checked for an obviously tripped breaker and resetting it doesn't restore power, contact your electric utility to report the problem. The utility can investigate whether its equipment or the electrical supply to your home is involved.

If the utility determines that its side is functioning properly, a qualified electrician can investigate your home's electrical service equipment, panel, wiring, and circuits to find the cause.

Important safety warning: If your lights are unusually bright in some areas and dim in others, or if they are flickering throughout the house, don't keep flipping breakers to try to fix the problem. These symptoms can indicate a serious service or neutral connection issue that may damage appliances and create a safety hazard. Stop using sensitive electronics and contact your utility company or a qualified electrician promptly.

The takeaway? If part of your house loses power after a storm, don't automatically assume your electrical panel is damaged. Sometimes, the first call you need to make is to your utility company.

A Tripped Breaker Could Also Be the Cause

Storms can sometimes contribute to electrical problems that cause a circuit breaker to trip. A breaker may shut off power to protect a circuit from an overload or fault.

If you notice that only one room or a small group of outlets has lost power, check your electrical panel for a tripped breaker if it is safe to do so.

A tripped breaker may sit between the ON and OFF positions, making it easy to overlook. If you find one, follow the manufacturer's instructions to reset it.

However, don't repeatedly reset a breaker that trips again immediately. A breaker that won't stay on may be responding to an ongoing electrical fault that needs professional attention.

If you're unsure what caused the outage, it's safer to have the situation evaluated than to keep experimenting with your electrical panel.

Why Are My Lights Flickering After a Storm?

Flickering lights can be another sign that something isn't right with your electrical system after severe weather.

A brief flicker during a storm may occur when the utility experiences a momentary interruption or switches equipment to restore service. However, persistent or widespread flickering deserves attention.

Possible causes include:

• Utility voltage fluctuations

• A loose or damaged electrical connection

• A problem with the incoming electrical service

• A damaged circuit or electrical component

• A potentially dangerous neutral connection problem

Pay attention to whether the flickering happens in one room or throughout the entire house. If it affects several rooms, especially if some lights brighten while others dim, the issue may involve the electrical service rather than a single fixture.

Don't ignore significant changes in brightness or repeated flickering. Contact your utility company or a qualified electrician promptly to determine what's happening.

Why Does My Breaker Keep Tripping After a Storm?

If a breaker trips once during or after a storm, it may be reacting to a temporary electrical problem. But if it continues to trip, there could be an underlying issue that needs to be addressed.

Possible causes include:

An electrical fault: A damaged wire, connection, or electrical component may cause a breaker to trip as a protective measure.

Moisture intrusion: Water entering an outdoor outlet, electrical box, or other electrical equipment can create dangerous conditions.

Surge-related damage: A power surge may damage connected equipment or electrical components.

An overloaded circuit: A circuit that is already carrying too much electrical load may trip when additional equipment is operating.

Never assume a repeatedly tripping breaker is simply being overly sensitive. Breakers are designed to help protect your home from electrical hazards.

If the breaker trips again after being reset, leave it off and contact a qualified electrician. Do not repeatedly reset it or attempt to repair damaged electrical components yourself.

Can a Power Surge Damage Appliances and Electronics?

Absolutely. A power surge is a brief increase in electrical voltage that can damage sensitive electronic equipment.

Lightning is one possible source of a surge, but it isn't the only one. Surges can also occur when utility equipment switches, power is restored after an outage, or electrical loads change.

Devices that may be vulnerable include:

• Televisions and home entertainment systems

• Computers and networking equipment

• Smart home devices

• Refrigerators and other appliances with electronic controls

• HVAC systems

• Garage door openers

• Security systems

Sometimes, surge damage is obvious: a device won't turn on or stops working properly. In other cases, the damage may not be immediately apparent.

If several devices stop working after a storm, consider whether a surge or broader electrical supply issue may have occurred. If you notice burning smells, unusual heat, sparking, or damaged outlets, stop using the affected equipment and seek professional help.

What Should You Do If You Suspect Lightning Damaged Your Home?

If your electrical system starts acting strangely after a storm, a few sensible steps can help you respond safely.

1. Look for Warning Signs

Notice what is happening. Did one breaker trip, or did several areas of your home lose power? Are the lights flickering throughout the house? Did an appliance stop working immediately after the storm?

These details can help your utility company or electrician narrow down the possible cause.

2. Check for an Obvious Tripped Breaker

If your panel is dry, undamaged, and safe to approach, you can look for an obviously tripped breaker. Follow the panel manufacturer's instructions if you need to reset one.

Don't open the panel's interior, touch exposed wiring, or attempt to repair electrical equipment. If a breaker trips again, leave it off and call a professional.

3. Contact Your Utility if You Have Partial Power

If part of your home has lost power and resetting the breakers doesn't restore it, contact your electric utility. A problem with the incoming electrical supply or utility equipment may be responsible.

This is particularly important if you notice unusual brightness or dimness across different areas of the home.

If the utility confirms that its equipment is functioning properly, an electrician can investigate your home's service equipment and wiring.

4. Unplug Sensitive Electronics When It Is Safe

If you suspect a power surge, unplug sensitive electronics when it is safe to do so. Don't touch equipment, plugs, or outlets that are wet, hot, sparking, or visibly damaged.

A burning smell, smoke, buzzing from electrical equipment, or signs of overheating should be treated seriously. If you suspect an electrical fire, get everyone to safety and call 911.

5. Don't Ignore Problems That Seem Minor

A light that flickers occasionally or an outlet that suddenly stops working may not seem urgent, but these symptoms can point to an electrical issue that needs attention.

If a problem continues after the storm has passed, have it evaluated rather than assuming it will go away on its own.

How Can You Protect Your Home From Future Power Surges?

You can't prevent lightning or every utility-related power disturbance, but you can take steps to reduce the risk of electrical damage.

Consider Whole-Home Surge Protection

A whole-home surge protective device is installed at or near your electrical service equipment and helps limit certain voltage surges entering your home's electrical system.

It can provide an additional layer of protection for appliances, electronics, and other connected equipment.

Whole-home surge protection has limitations, and it cannot guarantee that every device will be protected from every surge, especially an extreme lightning event. However, it can be a valuable part of a broader electrical protection strategy.

A qualified electrician can help determine which surge protection options are appropriate for your home.

Use Quality Surge Protectors for Sensitive Electronics

Plug-in surge protectors can provide additional protection for computers, televisions, networking equipment, and other sensitive devices.

Remember that an ordinary power strip is not necessarily a surge protector. Look for a product specifically designed for surge protection and follow the manufacturer's replacement and usage instructions.

Keep Your Electrical System in Good Condition

An electrical system that is properly maintained and appropriately sized for your home's needs is important for safety and reliability.

If your home has an older electrical panel, recurring breaker problems, damaged outlets, or other signs of electrical trouble, consider having the system evaluated by a qualified electrician.

An inspection can help identify issues that may need attention before they become bigger problems.

When Should You Call an Electrician After a Storm?

Not every electrical issue after a storm means your home has suffered lightning damage. Sometimes the cause is a utility outage, a tripped breaker, or another issue that requires a different solution.

However, you should seek professional help if you experience:

• Breakers that repeatedly trip

• Outlets or switches that stop working unexpectedly

• Persistent flickering lights

• Burning smells or unusual buzzing

• Visible damage to electrical equipment

• Repeated electrical problems after power is restored

• Electrical issues that remain after the utility confirms its service is functioning properly

If you see downed power lines, stay far away and report them to your utility company. Never touch a downed line or assume it is safe because it isn't sparking.

If you suspect damage to your electrical service equipment, don't attempt to inspect or repair it yourself. Electrical service equipment can remain dangerous even when portions of the home have lost power.

Need Help With Electrical Problems After a Storm?

When your home's electrical system starts acting strangely after a storm, it's easy to assume lightning hit your house. While that is one possibility, the actual cause could be a nearby lightning strike, a power surge, a tripped breaker, damaged wiring, or an issue with the utility supplying your home.

If you've lost power to part of your house and resetting the breakers doesn't help, contact your electric utility first to determine whether the problem is on its side of the service. If the utility rules out an issue with its equipment, a qualified electrician can investigate your home's electrical system.

At Deaver Electric, we help homeowners throughout Des Moines and surrounding Central Iowa communities, including Grimes, Dallas Center, Urbandale, Clive, West Des Moines, and Adel, with electrical troubleshooting, repairs, and upgrades.

Storm-related electrical problems can be frustrating, but you don't have to guess at the cause. If your electrical system isn't working as it should, our team can help identify the problem and determine the next steps toward restoring safe, reliable power.

Concerned about your home's electrical system after a storm? Contact Deaver Electric to discuss your electrical issue and schedule service.