Sydney storms don’t need to be cyclones to cause serious electrical storm damage. High winds, driving rain and lightning can all leave your switchboard, wiring and appliances in a risky state – even when everything looks normal at first glance. For Brian Brothers Electrical, call-outs after wild weather are some of the most urgent and complex jobs they attend.
This guide walks you through what to do after storm damage electrical Sydney–wide, how to stay safe, and when to call a licensed emergency electrician Sydney rather than trying to sort things out yourself.
How storms damage your electrical system
Severe weather can affect different parts of your electrical setup at the same time:
- Power surges and lightning strikes – Voltage spikes can burn out appliances, damage surge protectors and weaken wiring insulation.
- Water ingress – Wind-driven rain can get into outdoor power points, roof cavities, meter boxes and switchboards, leading to short circuits and corrosion.
- Fallen branches and power lines – Impact damage can pull down service cables, bend conduits or crack fittings at the point of attachment.
- Flooding – Standing water around the house, under the floor or in garages can reach wiring and junction boxes that were never meant to get wet.
Even if the lights come back on, hidden faults can remain. That’s why most insurers and electrical safety bodies recommend a professional inspection after significant electrical storm damage.
First steps: electrical safety after a storm
After any major storm, treat your home as if there might be live hazards until you’ve checked otherwise. Core themes are the same across government and insurer advice: stay back, stay dry, and don’t touch anything that looks wrong.
1. Stay clear of downed or low power lines
- Assume every wire is live, even if the power is out in your street.
- Keep family members, pets and neighbours away and ring 000 if someone is in danger.
2. Take a slow, visual check from a distance
Look for:
- Burnt smells near the switchboard
- Black marks around power points
- Broken outdoor fittings or dangling cables
- Water pooling near electrical equipment
Don’t touch any of it – this is about spotting issues, not fixing them.
3. If you suspect damage, turn off power at the main switch (only if safe)
If you can reach the main switchboard without stepping through water or debris, turn the main switch off and leave it off until a licensed electrician has inspected the system.
4. Call a storm damage electrician in Sydney
Once everyone is safe, call a qualified storm damage electrician Sydney like Brian Brothers Electrical. They can make the installation safe, identify hidden faults and liaise with your energy distributor or insurer where needed.
Common after-storm electrical issues
Homeowners often notice after storm electrical issues over the hours and days following bad weather, not just straight away. Typical signs include:
- Power outage after storm Sydney – Your street might be restored, but your house remains dark due to damage at your switchboard, service fuse or mains.
- RCDs and safety switches that won’t reset – Moisture in circuits or appliances can cause immediate tripping when you try to restore power.
- Flickering or dim lights – Often a warning sign of loose connections, water-affected wiring or neutral faults.
- Buzzing switchboard or crackling sounds – Always treat this as urgent; turn the main switch off if it is safe and call an emergency electrician.
- Tingling taps or shocks from appliances – This is a red-flag hazard; leave the power off and contact your energy network and an electrician right away.
These are not “wait and see” issues. They indicate that your system needs storm damage repairs Sydney level attention from a licensed professional.
What NOT to do after electrical storm damage
Competitor guides are very clear on this point: the biggest risk after a storm is trying to fix things yourself.
Avoid the following:
- Don’t open the switchboard cover if you smell burning, hear crackling or see scorching. Leave it closed and call a licensed electrician.
- Don’t use wet appliances (fridges, washing machines, power tools) that have been exposed to rainwater or floodwater. They need testing and possibly replacement.
- Don’t attempt DIY wiring, temporary leads or “bush fixes” to get a circuit going. Unlicensed electrical work is illegal in NSW and can void insurance.
- Don’t stand in water while touching switches or outlets. Turn power off only if it’s completely dry and safe to reach the board.
Treat the house like a crime scene: your job is to preserve safety and evidence, not to patch things up before help arrives.
Who to call: your distributor vs a storm damage electrician
After a power outage after storm Sydney, it’s not always clear whether to phone your energy retailer, the distributor, or an electrician. Local and national safety advice suggests this rule of thumb:
- Call 000 immediately
- If there’s fire, smoke, arcing or someone has received an electric shock.
- Call your electricity distributor (Ausgrid, Endeavour Energy, etc.)
- If street poles, supply lines or the service cable to your home are down or hanging low.
- If multiple houses in the street are still out after the network says power is restored.
- Call a licensed emergency electrician Sydney (Brian Brothers Electrical)
- If only your home has no power while neighbours are back on.
- If your switchboard, safety switches, power points or wiring show signs of damage.
- If your insurer requests an electrician’s report for storm damage electrical claims.
Brian Brothers Electrical can also advise if you’re not sure who to contact first – they deal with network and insurance issues every storm season.
How Brian Brothers Electrical handles storm damage repairs
Drawing on the same safety principles highlighted by other Australian electrical specialists, Brian Brothers Electrical provides a structured response to storm damage electrical Sydney homes:
- Make safe and isolate hazards
- Check the switchboard, service connection and key circuits.
- Isolate damaged sections so the rest of the home can be powered safely where possible.
- Thorough inspection after storm electrical issues
- Test safety switches, circuits and key appliances.
- Look for water-affected fittings, burnt connections and surge damage.
- Storm damage repairs Sydney
- Replace damaged cabling, safety devices, power points and light fittings.
- Arrange switchboard upgrades or surge protection where needed.
- Insurance and reporting
- Provide documentation and photos to support your insurance claim.
- Future-proofing
- Suggest improvements such as dedicated surge protection, weatherproof fittings, and regular safety checks before each storm season.
Simple ways to prepare before the next Sydney storm
Most of the competitors ranking for storm and electrical safety also stress preparation, not just clean-up.
Before the next big front rolls through:
- Test your safety switches regularly using the “T” button on the board.
- Install surge protection at the switchboard to help protect major appliances.
- Have a licensed electrician inspect older switchboards or overloaded circuits ahead of storm season.
- Keep trees trimmed away from service cables and roofs as advised by local authorities.
- Store torches, spare batteries and an emergency contact list (including Brian Brothers Electrical and your distributor) somewhere easy to find in the dark.
A little planning means you’re not scrambling to find phone numbers or matches in the middle of a blackout.
Conclusion
Storms in Sydney can leave behind more than fallen branches and debris — they can create hidden electrical hazards that put your home and family at risk. Knowing what to do in those first few hours after bad weather makes a world of difference. Staying clear of damaged fittings, avoiding wet appliances, and calling a licensed storm damage electrician ensures the situation is made safe before further problems develop. Brian Brothers Electrical has seen every type of electrical storm damage Sydney homes can face, from flooded switchboards to stubborn safety switches that refuse to reset. Their experience means your property is inspected thoroughly, repaired correctly, and documented properly for insurance if required. With the right help and a few precautionary steps, you can restore power safely and prepare your home for the next storm season with confidence.
FAQ:
How do I know if my house has electrical storm damage?
You may have electrical storm damage if you notice flickering lights, a burning smell at the switchboard, tripped safety switches, buzzing outlets or appliances that suddenly stop working. Storms can force water into wiring, damage the mains connection or cause surges that aren’t immediately obvious. Even if the power comes back on, hidden faults can remain, so a licensed electrician should inspect the system for safety.
Is it safe to turn the power back on after a storm?
It is only safe to turn the power back on after a storm if the switchboard area is completely dry and you see no signs of damage. If circuits keep tripping, lights flicker or you smell burning, leave the power off and call an emergency electrician. Storms often create water ingress, loose connections and surge-related damage, so a professional inspection ensures the system is safe before restoring supply.
Who do I call for electrical damage after a storm in Sydney?
For electrical damage after a storm in Sydney, call a licensed emergency electrician if the issue is inside your home, such as tripped circuits, damaged outlets or a wet switchboard. If power lines are down or the street is affected, contact your electricity distributor. If someone is in danger or a fire has started, call 000 immediately. An electrician can assess internal faults and complete storm-related repairs safely.
Why won’t my safety switch reset after a storm?
A safety switch often won’t reset after a storm because moisture has reached the wiring, an appliance has been water-affected or a circuit has been damaged by a surge. The switch is tripping to stop a dangerous fault from energising the system. Avoid forcing it back on, unplug appliances if safe, and call a licensed electrician to test the circuits, isolate the issue and carry out proper storm-damage repairs.
What should I do if the power is out after a storm but my neighbours have electricity?
If you have a power outage after a storm but your neighbours’ homes are running normally, the fault is likely inside your property. This could be a damaged mains connection, water-affected switchboard or a burnt component caused by a surge. Leave the power off and contact an emergency electrician to inspect and repair the electrical system. They can also advise if your energy distributor needs to be involved.
