Question 1

A tree took down my power line. What should I do first?

Accepted Answer

Stay far away from the downed line, keep everyone else away, and call your utility first — then call a licensed electrician at 423-754-4353 for the equipment attached to your home. Never assume a downed line is dead.

Question 2

Is a downed power line ever safe to touch or move?

Accepted Answer

No. Always treat a downed or hanging line as energized. Lines that look dead can be re-energized by utility equipment while crews work, and a wet tree touching a line can carry current into the ground around it.

Question 3

Can a fallen tree itself be electrically dangerous?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A living tree contains moisture and sap, and after a storm the bark and ground are wet. If the tree is touching an energized conductor, parts of the tree — and the ground around it — can become hazardous. Stay well back until the utility controls the line.

Question 4

Who fixes what — the utility or my electrician?

Accepted Answer

The utility handles its poles and distribution lines. The homeowner is generally responsible for the service equipment attached to the house — the weatherhead, mast, meter base, and service panel. Storm jobs often need the utility, an electrician, and an inspector working in sequence.

Question 5

The power is back on. Does that mean everything is fine?

Accepted Answer

Not necessarily. Restoring power is not the same as restoring safety. Stressed meter enclosures, pulled conductors, a damaged neutral, and surged appliances can all hide behind a service that looks normal from the yard.

Question 6

Some of my lights are unusually bright and others are dim. What is happening?

Accepted Answer

That is a classic sign of a damaged or open neutral on a 120/240 volt service. Voltages become unbalanced, so some circuits get too much voltage and others too little. This can destroy electronics quickly — treat it as an emergency.

Question 7

My mast is bent or the meter is pulled away from the wall. Can it be pushed back?

Accepted Answer

No. Never push, straighten, or grab a damaged mast, meter enclosure, or conduit. The raceway, fittings, supports, weatherhead, and conductors inside may all be damaged. It needs a licensed electrician and usually a permit and inspection before reconnection.

Question 8

Can storm damage reach my electrical panel inside the house?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A severe service event does not stop at the outside wall. Service conductors feed the main panel, and a major surge, fault, or physical pull can crack or stress panel equipment. Older or damaged panels are often better replaced than rebuilt.

Question 9

A breaker keeps tripping after the storm. Should I keep resetting it?

Accepted Answer

No. Reset once if you like — if it immediately trips again, stop. Repeatedly forcing a breaker back on does not repair damaged wiring or equipment and can make a dangerous condition worse. Leave it off and have it checked.

Question 10

Can a tree hitting a power line cause a surge inside my home?

Accepted Answer

Yes. When trees strike lines, conductors can move, contact each other, or break, and utility protective equipment operates and re-energizes circuits — often while lightning is active in the same storm. All of these events can push abnormal voltage into your home.

Question 11

What appliances are most at risk from a storm surge?

Accepted Answer

Anything with electronics: HVAC control boards and variable-speed motors, refrigerators, ranges, washers, dryers, garage door openers, TVs, routers, computers, security cameras, and LED lighting. Modern appliances are far more electronically controlled than older ones.

Question 12

Will a whole-home surge protector actually help?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A whole-home surge protective device installed at the panel clamps transient overvoltage before it spreads through your wiring — protecting hardwired equipment like HVAC that cannot use a plug-in strip. It adds a layer of defense; nothing makes a home lightning-proof.

Question 13

My refrigerator or HVAC started acting strange after the storm. Is that related?

Accepted Answer

Possibly. Note exactly when the behavior started. Electronics can be stressed without failing instantly — a compressor may run hotter, a control board may become intermittent. Unusual behavior beginning immediately after an electrical event should be evaluated, not ignored.

Question 14

Does storm-damage service repair require a permit and inspection?

Accepted Answer

Yes. When a service is substantially rebuilt or replaced, Tennessee permitting and inspection requirements apply. The electrician installs the service, the inspector verifies it meets code, and the utility reconnects once customer-owned equipment is ready.

Question 15

Should I upgrade my service while storm damage is being repaired?

Accepted Answer

Often, yes. If the existing service is old, damaged, undersized, or obsolete, reinstalling the same equipment may not be the best long-term answer. Many storm restorations are completed with a modern 200-amp breaker service, updated grounding and bonding, and surge protection.

Question 16

Do ground rods protect my house from lightning?

Accepted Answer

Not by themselves. Ground rods are one part of the grounding electrode system and must be properly installed, spaced, and connected. They do not replace proper bonding or surge protection, and they do not make a house lightning-proof. Protection comes from the entire service being designed correctly.

Question 17

Can I use a portable generator while my service is being repaired?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but only connected correctly. Never backfeed your home through a receptacle with an improvised cord — it can energize conductors in dangerous ways and endanger you, electricians, and utility crews. Use a proper transfer switch or interlock, and always run the generator outdoors away from doors and windows.

Question 18

What should I document for my insurance claim?

Accepted Answer

Photograph the tree, the damaged service, the meter, mast, panel, and any affected property. List every appliance and device acting abnormally, note when the storm hit and when problems started, and keep all invoices and inspection records.

Question 19

How can I reduce the risk before the next storm?

Accepted Answer

Watch the trees around your service and utility lines. Dead limbs overhead, leaning trees, and branches rubbing conductors deserve attention now. Never trim near energized lines yourself — call the utility or a qualified tree professional. A modern service with proper grounding and whole-home surge protection is the best electrical defense.

Tree on the line? Start here.

Right After the Storm

A tree took down my power line. What should I do first?

Is a downed power line ever safe to touch or move?

Can a fallen tree itself be electrically dangerous?

Who fixes what — the utility or my electrician?

Hidden Damage to Watch For

The power is back on. Does that mean everything is fine?

Some of my lights are unusually bright and others are dim. What is happening?

My mast is bent or the meter is pulled away from the wall. Can it be pushed back?

Can storm damage reach my electrical panel inside the house?

A breaker keeps tripping after the storm. Should I keep resetting it?

Surges, Appliances & Electronics

Can a tree hitting a power line cause a surge inside my home?

What appliances are most at risk from a storm surge?

Will a whole-home surge protector actually help?

My refrigerator or HVAC started acting strange after the storm. Is that related?

Repairs, Permits & Prevention

Does storm-damage service repair require a permit and inspection?

Should I upgrade my service while storm damage is being repaired?

Do ground rods protect my house from lightning?

Can I use a portable generator while my service is being repaired?

What should I document for my insurance claim?

How can I reduce the risk before the next storm?

Related repairs we handle after a storm

One call.
Lights back
on.

Tree on the line? Start here.

Right After the Storm

A tree took down my power line. What should I do first?

Is a downed power line ever safe to touch or move?

Can a fallen tree itself be electrically dangerous?

Who fixes what — the utility or my electrician?

Hidden Damage to Watch For

The power is back on. Does that mean everything is fine?

Some of my lights are unusually bright and others are dim. What is happening?

My mast is bent or the meter is pulled away from the wall. Can it be pushed back?

Can storm damage reach my electrical panel inside the house?

A breaker keeps tripping after the storm. Should I keep resetting it?

Surges, Appliances & Electronics

Can a tree hitting a power line cause a surge inside my home?

What appliances are most at risk from a storm surge?

Will a whole-home surge protector actually help?

My refrigerator or HVAC started acting strange after the storm. Is that related?

Repairs, Permits & Prevention

Does storm-damage service repair require a permit and inspection?

Should I upgrade my service while storm damage is being repaired?

Do ground rods protect my house from lightning?

Can I use a portable generator while my service is being repaired?

What should I document for my insurance claim?

How can I reduce the risk before the next storm?

Related repairs we handle after a storm

One call. Lights back on.

One call.
Lights back
on.