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Flood and Water-Damage Electrical Safety Checklist

Updated September 29, 2026. Print this worksheet for the property recovery file.

Use this checklist after storm surge, tidal flooding, wind-driven rain, roof or plumbing leaks, or other water intrusion. The goal is to protect people, preserve useful information, and coordinate a qualified evaluation before affected electrical systems are energized.

Emergency: Call 911 for fire, smoke, active arcing, or an immediate threat to life. Never enter water that may be energized, touch submerged electrical equipment, or approach downed utility lines.

Property address / manager: __________________________________

Date / time water was discovered: ______________________________

1. Protect people first

  • Call 911 for fire, smoke, active arcing, or an immediate threat to life.
  • Keep everyone away from standing water near wiring, outlets, appliances, panels, meters, solar equipment, batteries, generators, docks, pools, or other electrical systems.
  • Assume downed conductors and objects touching them are energized; report utility hazards from a safe location.
  • Do not reach a main breaker through water or operate equipment with wet hands or while standing on a wet surface.
  • Have the utility or a qualified professional disconnect power when equipment cannot be approached safely.

Utility / emergency contact / time reported: __________________________________

2. Avoid unsafe testing and temporary power

  • Do not restore power simply to see which equipment works.
  • Do not repeatedly reset a breaker, GFCI, or AFCI.
  • Do not touch, unplug, move, or discard submerged equipment until the area is confirmed safe.
  • Do not backfeed building wiring with a portable generator or improvised cord.
  • Have temporary power for pumps, cleanup, refrigeration, medical needs, or business operations planned for the actual site conditions.

Temporary power needs / responsible professional: __________________________________

3. Document the exposure from a safe location

  • Photograph the highest visible water line in each affected area.
  • Record the water source, approximate depth, estimated exposure time, and possible salt, sewage, chemical, oil, or silt contamination.
  • List affected rooms, tenant spaces, panels, receptacles, switches, lights, appliances, HVAC, pumps, gates, elevators, and business equipment.
  • Include outdoor lighting, pools, docks, boat lifts, wells, septic equipment, generators, solar systems, batteries, EV chargers, and utility components.
  • Save utility notices, insurer instructions, restoration records, contractor reports, and safe exterior photographs without opening equipment.

Water source / depth / exposure time: __________________________________

4. Prepare for the electrical evaluation

  • Keep safe access clear to panels, meters, equipment rooms, attics, crawlspaces, garages, and affected areas.
  • Identify circuits or equipment that may have been energized during exposure.
  • Share prior electrical plans, panel schedules, permits, equipment manuals, and service records when available.
  • Identify critical loads such as medical equipment, refrigeration, alarms, security, sump pumps, gates, servers, or tenant systems.
  • Do not remove panel covers, receptacles, switches, junction-box covers, or meter seals.

Electrician / evaluation date / critical loads: __________________________________

5. Build the repair and restoration scope

  • Identify which protective devices, receptacles, switches, boxes, wiring, controls, and surge devices require replacement.
  • Obtain manufacturer guidance for panels, switchgear, motors, HVAC, appliances, generators, solar, batteries, elevators, fire alarms, and specialty equipment.
  • Treat ordinary drying and manufacturer-approved reconditioning as different processes.
  • Coordinate the electrician with the utility, restoration team, insurer, and equipment-specific contractors.
  • Confirm which walls must remain open and which permits, inspections, utility steps, circuits, or systems are part of the restoration plan.

Repair scope / permits / systems remaining off: __________________________________

6. Verify before normal use resumes

  • Confirm affected equipment was replaced or handled under appropriate manufacturer guidance.
  • Require testing of repaired circuits and equipment before energizing.
  • Confirm grounding, bonding, protective devices, labels, and the panel directory are complete.
  • Test alarms, emergency lighting, pumps, gates, refrigeration, HVAC, and other critical systems under the appropriate contractor's direction.
  • Keep permits, inspection approvals, photographs, invoices, warranties, equipment records, and testing results.

Systems released for use / remaining restrictions: __________________________________

7. Monitor after restoration

  • Watch for repeated trips, flickering, dimming, unusual brightness, intermittent operation, heat, odors, buzzing, corrosion, or shocks.
  • Leave an affected circuit off when it is safe to do so and arrange prompt electrical service.
  • Treat smoke, fire, active arcing, or a strong burning odor as an emergency.
  • Record delayed symptoms, the affected area or equipment, and when the condition occurred.
  • Review whether vulnerable electrical equipment should be relocated or protected during future repairs or renovations.

Follow-up item / responsible contractor / due date: __________________________________

Need electrical help after water intrusion?

Bolt Electric provides emergency electrical service, diagnostics, and storm-related repairs across Jacksonville and Northeast Florida. Request service or call (904) 701-3312.

For a fuller explanation, read Electrical Safety After Flooding in Jacksonville: What Property Owners Should Do.

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