Hurricane preparation is about more than gathering bottled water and checking the forecast. Strong winds, heavy rain, flooding, power surges, and extended outages can affect nearly every major system in your home. A reliable plan should include your generator, electrical system, plumbing, and HVAC equipment.
For homeowners in the Middle Peninsula, the Northern Neck, and surrounding Virginia communities, preparing early matters. Once a storm enters the forecast, appointment availability can become limited and last-minute repairs may be difficult to complete safely.
Use this whole-home hurricane season checklist to identify what needs attention before severe weather arrives.
Start With Backup Power: Is Your Generator Ready?
Power outages are one of the most common disruptions associated with hurricanes and tropical storms. Without electricity, your refrigerator, air conditioning, lights, sump pump, well pump, internet equipment, and certain medical devices may stop working.
A professionally installed whole-home generator can automatically provide backup power when utility service is interrupted. Depending on its size and configuration, it may power essential circuits or a larger portion of the home.
Whole-Home Generator Checklist
- Schedule maintenance before hurricane season. A generator that has been sitting unused may have a weak battery, dirty filter, low fluid level, worn spark plug, or another issue that prevents reliable startup.
- Test the system under load. A basic startup does not always confirm that the generator and transfer switch will operate properly when the home needs backup power.
- Check the battery. A dead or weakened battery can leave an otherwise functional generator unable to start.
- Inspect oil, coolant, and filters. Follow the manufacturer’s service schedule and have worn or dirty components replaced.
- Clear the area around the unit. Remove leaves, branches, and other debris that may obstruct airflow. Do not place loose outdoor items near the generator.
- Confirm the fuel supply. Make sure the generator has access to its intended fuel source and that any valves or connections are in proper condition.
- Review the circuits it supports. Know which appliances and systems will receive power so your household can use the generator responsibly during an outage.
- Keep the manual and service information accessible. Store essential documents somewhere you can reach without electricity or internet access.
Miller’s Services installs and maintains whole-home generators, including systems from Generac and Briggs & Stratton. Our generator maintenance program includes services such as oil changes, air filter replacement, battery checks, spark plug inspections, and transfer switch testing.
Do not wait until a storm is approaching to find out your backup power system needs service. Schedule generator maintenance with Miller’s Services before hurricane season intensifies.
Do You Need a Whole-Home Generator?
If your home does not have backup power, consider how an extended outage would affect your household. A whole-home generator may be especially valuable if you:
- Rely on a well pump for water
- Need a sump pump to manage groundwater
- Have medical devices that require electricity
- Work from home
- Store medication or significant amounts of food that require refrigeration
- Have family members who are sensitive to extreme heat
- Experience repeated or lengthy outages
Generator sizing should be based on your home’s electrical demand and the systems you want to operate. A professional can assess your priorities, recommend appropriate equipment, determine a safe location, and complete the electrical and fuel connections according to applicable requirements.
Want dependable backup power before the next major outage? Explore whole-home generator installation from Miller’s Services.
A Critical Portable Generator Safety Reminder
Never operate a portable generator inside a home, garage, basement, shed, or enclosed space. Carbon monoxide can build up quickly and may be deadly. Keep portable generators outdoors and well away from windows, doors, and vents, and follow all manufacturer instructions. Never connect a portable generator directly to household wiring unless a qualified electrician has installed approved transfer equipment.
For additional outage and generator safety guidance, review Ready.gov’s power outage recommendations.
Check Your Electrical System Before the Storm
Hurricanes can create several electrical risks. High winds may damage utility lines, water can enter electrical components, and changes in utility power can send damaging surges through the home.
Electrical Hurricane Checklist
- Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Replace weak batteries and confirm every detector is working.
- Inspect the electrical panel. Watch for rust, moisture, heat, buzzing, burning odors, or frequently tripped breakers. These signs should be evaluated by a licensed electrician.
- Label important breakers. Clear labels make it easier to identify circuits if power needs to be shut off.
- Protect sensitive electronics. Unplug nonessential devices before the storm arrives if it is safe to do so.
- Consider whole-home surge protection. Plug-in strips provide limited protection for connected devices. Whole-home surge protection helps defend multiple circuits and hardwired equipment.
- Secure outdoor electrical equipment. Make sure covers, boxes, lighting, and other exterior components are properly installed and protected.
- Keep electrical equipment away from water. Do not touch panels, outlets, appliances, or cords while standing in water.
- Use extension cords safely. Only use cords rated for the location and electrical load. Never run indoor-only cords outside or overload them.
If water reaches outlets, wiring, appliances, or the electrical panel, do not assume the system is safe after the water recedes. Have affected components inspected before restoring power.
A hurricane can test every part of your electrical system. Learn about Miller’s Services’ professional electrical services and whole-home surge protection before the next storm.
Prepare Your Plumbing for Heavy Rain and Outages
Your plumbing system may also be affected by hurricanes. Heavy rainfall can overwhelm drainage systems, flooding can contaminate private wells, and a power outage can stop electric well pumps and some sump pumps from operating.
Plumbing Hurricane Checklist
- Locate the main water shutoff. Make sure every responsible adult in the household knows where it is and how to operate it.
- Check for leaks. Repair dripping fixtures and leaking pipes before severe weather adds more moisture to the home.
- Inspect exposed piping. Secure loose pipes and address corrosion, damaged supports, or vulnerable exterior connections.
- Clear slow drains. A slow drain may become a larger problem when the plumbing system is under additional strain.
- Test the sump pump. Confirm that it activates, removes water, and discharges away from the foundation.
- Consider sump pump backup power. If the primary pump relies on utility electricity, discuss battery backup or generator support with a professional.
- Know how your well pump will be powered. Homes with private wells may lose running water during an outage unless the pump is connected to appropriate backup power.
- Store safe drinking water. Follow local emergency guidance, especially if flooding could affect a private well or public water service.
- Keep gutters and exterior drains clear. Move water away from the foundation and avoid allowing debris to block drainage paths.
Never drink water from a flooded private well until local authorities or qualified professionals have confirmed that it is safe. If officials issue a boil-water advisory, follow their instructions carefully.
Not sure whether your sump pump, well pump, or plumbing system is storm-ready? Explore Miller’s Services’ plumbing services and sump pump and well pump solutions.
Get Your HVAC System Ready for Hurricane Conditions
Your outdoor HVAC unit is built to withstand normal weather, but hurricane-force winds, airborne debris, flooding, electrical surges, and extended outages can still cause serious damage. Preparing the system in advance can reduce risk and help it return to service safely after the storm.
HVAC Hurricane Checklist
- Schedule seasonal maintenance. Address worn components, drainage problems, unusual sounds, and performance concerns before the system is placed under additional stress.
- Replace a dirty air filter. A clean filter supports airflow and helps the system operate efficiently before and after the storm.
- Clear debris around the outdoor unit. Remove branches, leaves, tools, toys, and furniture that could strike or obstruct the equipment.
- Secure loose outdoor items. Patio furniture, grills, planters, and decorations can become dangerous projectiles in high winds.
- Inspect the condensate drain. A blocked drain can cause water damage even without storm-related flooding.
- Review backup power capacity. Confirm whether your generator was sized and configured to operate any HVAC equipment.
- Follow shutdown guidance. If local authorities, your utility, or your HVAC professional advises shutting the system down, follow those instructions.
- Wait before restarting damaged equipment. Do not turn the HVAC system on if the outdoor unit was flooded, struck by debris, shifted, or damaged.
After the storm, visually inspect the outdoor unit from a safe distance. If you notice standing water, bent panels, damaged wiring, unusual noises, or displaced equipment, leave the system off and call a professional.
Prepare your comfort system before severe weather arrives. Schedule seasonal HVAC maintenance or learn more about Miller’s Services’ heating and cooling services.
Complete These General Home Preparations
Your generator and home systems are only part of a complete hurricane plan. NOAA recommends understanding your risk, preparing before hurricane season, having multiple ways to receive alerts, and knowing what to do before, during, and after a storm.
General Hurricane Preparedness Checklist
- Know whether your home is in an evacuation or flood-prone area.
- Sign up for local emergency alerts and keep a battery-powered weather radio available.
- Review evacuation routes and decide where your household will go if instructed to leave.
- Build an emergency supply kit for every household member, including pets.
- Keep flashlights, batteries, medications, first-aid supplies, water, and shelf-stable food accessible.
- Charge phones, backup batteries, and essential devices before the storm.
- Secure shutters and bring loose outdoor objects inside.
- Photograph your home and major belongings for insurance documentation.
- Store important documents in a waterproof container or secure digital location.
- Keep vehicles fueled and parked away from trees when possible.
- Follow evacuation orders and local emergency instructions without delay.
Visit NOAA’s hurricane preparedness resource for additional information about forecasts, alerts, evacuation, and storm safety.
What Should You Do After a Hurricane?
Even after the wind and rain stop, damaged utilities, floodwater, carbon monoxide, and unstable structures can remain dangerous.
- Wait for official guidance before returning to an evacuated area.
- Stay away from downed power lines and anything touching them.
- Never enter standing water near electrical equipment.
- Do not operate portable generators in or near enclosed spaces.
- Photograph damage before beginning cleanup when it is safe to do so.
- Do not restart flooded electrical, plumbing, generator, or HVAC equipment without an inspection.
- Call qualified professionals if you smell gas, see exposed wiring, find active leaks, or discover damaged home systems.
Prepare Your Whole Home With Miller’s Services
The best time to prepare for a hurricane is before one appears in the forecast. Testing your generator, addressing electrical concerns, checking your plumbing, and maintaining your HVAC system can help your household face severe weather with greater confidence.
Miller’s Services provides generator, electrical, plumbing, and heating and cooling services throughout Gloucester, Williamsburg, Yorktown, Kilmarnock, the Middle Peninsula, the Northern Neck, and nearby communities.
Schedule hurricane-season home services with Miller’s Services and take the next step toward a safer, more prepared home.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hurricane Home Preparation
When should I prepare my home for hurricane season?
Begin preparing before hurricane season and complete important maintenance well before a storm enters the forecast. Early preparation gives you more time to schedule professional service, purchase supplies, and correct problems without last-minute pressure.
How often should a whole-home generator be serviced?
Follow the maintenance schedule provided by the generator manufacturer. Service needs depend on the model, age, operating hours, and fuel type. A professional maintenance program can help keep inspections and routine service on schedule.
Can a whole-home generator power my air conditioner?
It may, depending on the size of the generator, the electrical demand of the HVAC equipment, and how the system was configured. A professional should calculate the expected load and determine which household systems the generator can support.
Should I turn off my HVAC system during a hurricane?
Follow instructions from local officials, your utility company, and your HVAC professional. If the system is flooded, damaged, or affected by electrical problems, keep it off until it has been inspected.
How can I protect my home from power surges during a storm?
Unplug nonessential electronics before the storm when it is safe to do so. Whole-home surge protection can provide broader protection for connected and hardwired equipment, but no device can guarantee protection from every electrical event.
Will my well pump work during a power outage?
Most electric well pumps stop operating when utility power is lost unless they are connected to properly sized backup power. Confirm your generator capacity and connection before an outage occurs.
