Hurricane season on the Grand Strand runs June through November, and the time to prepare your home's power systems is before a storm has a name. Use this checklist from our licensed electricians.
Before the Season (Do This Now)
- Service your standby generator. Annual maintenance — oil, filters, battery, coolant check — should be done before peak season. A generator that hasn't run under load in a year is a gamble.
- Run a load test. Your generator's weekly self-test (generally) runs unloaded. Once a season, verify it actually carries the house.
- Check your fuel. LP tank owners: confirm you're at 80%+ before August. Natural gas customers: verify the flex line and shutoff are in good condition.
- Inspect your electrical panel. Corroded lugs and double-tapped breakers get worse under generator load. Coastal humidity accelerates panel corrosion.
- Add whole-home surge protection. Grid power flickering on and off during storms is the #1 killer of HVAC boards, appliances, and electronics.
When a Storm Is 72 Hours Out
- Top off propane if below 80%
- Clear 5 feet around the generator — remove furniture, planters, and debris that can become projectiles
- Test-run the generator one more time
- Portable generator owners: fill fuel cans safely, stage cords, and review transfer switch operation
- Charge everything; photograph your panel and generator data plates for insurance
During the Storm
- Let your standby system do its job — don't go outside to check it during high winds
- If flooding threatens the generator, shut it down at the controller before water reaches it
- Never run a portable generator in a garage, carport, or within 20 feet of openings
After the Storm
- Check the generator for debris, water intrusion, or salt spray before assuming all is well
- If the unit ran for an extended period (24+ hours), schedule an oil change — extended run intervals are shorter than calendar intervals
- Have flood-exposed electrical equipment inspected before re-energizing — saltwater-flooded panels and breakers must be replaced, not dried out
Don't Have Backup Power Yet?
Generator demand spikes after every named storm, and install calendars fill up fast. Beat the rush: get an instant online quote at palmettopower.net/quotes or call 843-466-4488.