Likely utility or outage issue
Neighbors without power, an outage shown on the utility map, area storm damage, or the entire home losing service point toward a utility-side outage.
No Power After a Storm? Outage Checks & Who to Call
Start by checking whether neighbors and the utility outage map show an area outage, then compare that with what is happening inside your home. The whole home, part of the home, and one affected circuit point to different next steps.
Key takeaways
- Utility or outage issue: Check the utility outage map and nearby homes first. Neighbors without power, a reported area outage, visible storm damage affecting the area, or the entire home losing utility service point toward contacting the utility.
- Possible home electrical issue: If neighboring homes have power but only part of your house, one room, or one circuit is out, or breaker behavior is abnormal, a licensed electrician should evaluate the home-side problem.
- Treat burning smell, buzzing, heat, sparking, unusual bright-or-dim lights, or unstable partial power as urgent warning signs. Keep away from damaged or energized equipment.
- If a breaker or GFCI trips once, you may be able to reset it once if everything is dry and there are no warning signs.
- Do not open or work inside service equipment to diagnose a suspected service-leg, neutral, or utility-feed problem. Do not inspect meter equipment, downed lines, wet devices, or the inside of the electrical panel.
Likely causes
A tripped breaker
A storm-related event can trip a branch breaker or protective device inside the house.
A wet or tripped GFCI
Moisture can shut down outlets in garages, bathrooms, kitchens, basements, or outdoor areas.
Possible home electrical issue
If nearby homes have power but only part of your house, one room, or one circuit is out, the issue may be within the home or its service and needs professional evaluation.
Storm-related damage or a loose connection
Wind, water, or debris can expose a weak point in outdoor equipment or service connections.
What you can safely check
1
See whether neighbors are also without power or whether the utility has posted outage updates.
2
Check whether the outage affects the whole house, one room, part of the house, or only certain circuits.
3
Check the main panel for a breaker that is tripped or not fully reset, but do not remove panel covers.
4
If everything is dry and there are no warning signs, reset a tripped breaker or GFCI once.
5
Test whether the outage is whole-house, partial, or limited to one room or one circuit.
6
Look for obvious storm damage from a safe distance without going near service wiring.
7
If you see downed lines, fire, smoke, sparking, or active electrical danger, keep away and contact emergency services or the utility.
8
If water is touching electrical equipment, do not approach or touch it.
Not comfortable troubleshooting this yourself?
If anything feels unsafe, unclear, or beyond a basic visual check, a licensed electrician can help you narrow it down safely.
Find a licensed electrician near youWarning signs to take seriously
- Only part of the home has power after a storm
- Lights are unusually bright in one area and dim in another
- Power returns in an unstable, uneven, or intermittent way
- There is buzzing, burning smell, sparks, heat, or visible damage near electrical equipment
- Outdoor equipment, receptacles, cords, or devices look wet or damaged
- A breaker or GFCI trips repeatedly after one reset
When to call the utility or an electrician
- Call the utility first when neighbors are also without power, its outage map reports the event, storm damage is widespread, or the entire home has lost utility service.
- Call a licensed electrician when nearby homes have power but only your home, part of the home, one room, or one circuit is affected.
- Get professional help promptly when main or breaker behavior is abnormal, lights flicker after power returns, or power feels unstable.
- A breaker or GFCI keeps tripping after one reset.
- There is visible damage, buzzing, heat, burning smell, sparks, or water exposure near electrical equipment.
- You are not sure whether the issue belongs to the utility or your home wiring.
Related problems
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Need help with this issue?
Not sure whether it is the utility or your home wiring? If neighbors have power and your home still has storm-related electrical symptoms, a licensed electrician can help narrow it down safely.
Find an ElectricianAbout the author
Ask Sparky
Ask Sparky focuses on practical electrical troubleshooting for homeowners. The guidance emphasizes safe diagnostic steps, clear stop points, and licensed professional help when work is dangerous or uncertain. It is educational information, not a replacement for an electrician.
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