A practical checklist for protecting your refrigerator, kitchen and laundry appliances, and gas equipment before, during, and after a storm in Northwest Florida.
Most storm damage to appliances comes from power surges, flooding, and food loss. A little preparation goes a long way. This guide is general information and does not replace your appliance maker's instructions or guidance from local officials.
Unplug TVs, computers, microwaves, small kitchen appliances, and chargers. For hardwired appliances such as ovens, cooktops, and dishwashers, switching off the breaker removes power from the appliance. Never touch plugs, cords, or breakers while standing in water.
A plug-in surge protector helps with smaller power surges but is not a guarantee against lightning or major grid events. Whole-house surge protection is installed by a licensed electrician if you want a broader layer of protection.
Set both a little colder ahead of time, keep an appliance thermometer inside, and freeze containers of water to help hold the temperature. Group food together, and plan to keep the doors closed once the power goes out.
Leave gas appliances alone and do not try to relight or adjust them. Secure or store outdoor grills and loose outdoor-kitchen items, and follow your propane supplier's guidance for tanks. If you smell gas at any point, leave immediately.
Photograph each appliance and its rating label showing the model and serial number. It helps with insurance claims and with service later. Our model and serial number guide shows where to look.
If your home is prone to water intrusion, move small appliances and electronics to higher shelves. Do not try to move a large appliance in a hurry, and do not disconnect gas or water lines yourself.
Every time the refrigerator or freezer opens, cold air escapes. Keeping the doors closed is the best way to hold temperature until power returns.
Run a generator outdoors and well away from windows, doors, and vents, never in a garage or indoors. Do not plug a generator into a wall outlet. Follow the generator maker's instructions.
Use a food thermometer. USDA guidance is that perishable food above 40°F for more than about two hours should generally be discarded. When in doubt, throw it out.
Leave sensitive appliances unplugged until power is back and stable, so a surge on restoration does not reach them.
Take a few minutes to check before you restore power or use an appliance that was exposed to the storm.
When power is stable, plug appliances back in one at a time. If you notice a burning smell, smoke, sparking, or a tripped breaker that will not reset, stop using the appliance and call a professional.
Do not operate an appliance that was submerged or got wet inside, and do not touch it while standing in water. Floodwater can damage motors, controls, and wiring, and it may be contaminated. Have a qualified technician or electrician inspect it before use, and talk to your insurer.
Do not relight a gas appliance that was flooded, damaged, or shut off by the storm. Have a licensed gas professional inspect it first. If you smell gas, leave immediately and call 911 or your gas utility.
After an outage, a refrigerator that runs but is not cooling may need service. See our refrigerator and freezer repair guide for safe first checks.
If you smell the rotten-egg odor of natural gas, or otherwise suspect a gas leak, leave the area immediately and get to a safe location.
Do not try to find or stop the leak. Do not use matches, lighters, electrical switches, phones, or anything else that could create a spark while you are near the suspected leak.
Once you are safely away from the area, call 911 or your local gas utility. Do not return until emergency personnel or the gas utility says it is safe.
Do not use our website or service-request form to report an active or suspected gas leak.
If an appliance will not start after an outage, a refrigerator is not cooling, or you are not sure whether an appliance is safe to use, send us a service request with the appliance, brand, model number, and a short description of what happened. We cover home appliance repair and premium and specialty brands across Panama City, Lynn Haven, Callaway, Panama City Beach, Mexico Beach, Port St. Joe, Santa Rosa Beach and Rosemary Beach. Normal hours are Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM. We do not provide emergency or after-hours service.
The fee covers the technician's trip, diagnosis, and basic repairs that take under 30 minutes. If a repair needs more time, parts, or specialized work, we give you a repair quote before proceeding. Repairs carry a 30-day labor & diagnostic warranty.
Unplugging sensitive electronics and small appliances, or switching off the breakers for hardwired appliances, helps protect them from power surges when the power fails or is restored. Never touch plugs, cords, or breakers while standing in water. Our hurricane appliance preparation checklist has the full list.
Do not operate an appliance that was submerged or got wet inside, and do not touch it while standing in water. Have it inspected first, and have a licensed professional check any gas appliance before it is used again. See our after-the-storm guidance.
Food safety agencies such as the USDA say refrigerated food is generally safe for about four hours if the door stays closed, and a full freezer holds its temperature for about 48 hours (about 24 if half full). When in doubt, check with a food thermometer and follow current USDA guidance. More tips are on our hurricane appliance preparation page.
No. Appliance Doctor does not provide emergency or after-hours service. Service requests are handled during normal business hours, Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM. After a storm, schedules may be busier, so send a request as early as you can.
It depends on the appliance, the damage, and the repair cost. Appliances that were submerged are often not worth repairing. See our repair-or-replace guide for how we think about the decision.
Call during normal business hours (Monday–Friday, 8 AM–4 PM) or send a service request online. We reply within one business day.