ORLANDO, FL — As Florida homeowners prepare for hurricane season, Palmer Electric is sharing a Hurricane Electrical Safety Guide focused on electrical panels, generators, surge protection, flooding, outages and post-storm electrical hazards. NOAA’s 2026 Atlantic hurricane season outlook calls for 8 to 14 named storms, 3 to 6 hurricanes and 1 to 3 major hurricanes, reinforcing the need for homeowners to prepare before severe weather threatens the region.
Serving Central Florida since 1951, Orlando electrical contractor Palmer Electric created the guide as part of its ongoing commitment to electrical safety, storm readiness and homeowner education. The resource explains what to do before, during and after a hurricane, with practical information on whole-home generators, electrical panels, whole-home surge protection, household devices, outdoor electrical components, utility contacts and post-storm warning signs.
While the guide applies to homeowners across Florida, Palmer Electric developed it with the realities of Orlando and Central Florida in mind, where severe weather, lightning, flooding and power outages can create electrical safety risks before, during and after a storm.
“Electrical safety should be part of every Florida homeowner’s hurricane plan,” said Tom Beard, Chairman and CEO of Palmer Electric Company. “Homeowners also need to think about the electrical systems they depend on before, during and after a storm. Flooding, outages, power surges and unsafe generator connections create electrical hazards that are not obvious right away. We created this guide to help Florida homeowners prepare safely, recognize warning signs and know when to call a licensed electrician.”
The guide includes sections on:
Among the safety topics covered, Palmer Electric advises homeowners to keep electrical panels accessible, avoid breaker boxes that require standing in water to reach, prepare backup power plans before outages occur, run portable generators outdoors and away from the home, and avoid connecting a generator to home wiring unless a proper transfer switch or approved interlock system has been installed by a qualified professional.
The guide also addresses whole-home surge protection. The 2020 National Electrical Code added surge protection requirements for dwelling-unit electrical services. For homes with older panels, a professionally installed whole-home surge protective device can add an important layer of defense against storm-related power surges.
Palmer Electric also reminds homeowners that electrical hazards can continue after a storm has passed. If they notice flooded outlets, water-damaged panels, damaged exterior wiring, fallen service equipment, burning smells, buzzing sounds or repeated breaker trips, they should not try to restore power or use affected circuits themselves. A licensed electrician should inspect the system first, and homeowners can contact Palmer Electric for emergency electrical service when storm-related electrical damage is suspected.
Florida homeowners, especially those in Orlando and Central Florida, should read Palmer Electric’s Hurricane Electrical Safety Guide before severe weather arrives, when there is still time to prepare panels, generators, surge protection plans and emergency contacts.
The guide is available free on the company’s website at: https://www.palmer-electric.com/florida-hurricane-electrical-safety-guide/
Palmer Electric provides 24/7 emergency electrical service for Orlando and Central Florida homes and businesses. The company serves Central Florida, including Brevard, Lake, Osceola, Orange County, Polk, Seminole and Volusia counties.
Since 1951, Palmer Electric has provided residential and commercial electrical repairs, installations, inspections, emergency service, surge protection, generator-related support, fire alarm services, security services and electrical solutions throughout Orlando and Central Florida. Palmer Electric is licensed and insured.
Tom Beard
Chairman and CEO
Palmer Electric Company
info@palmer-electric.com
(407) 646-8700
Date Posted: July 27, 2026
