Major weather events like thunderstorms, floods and hurricanes can spark problems even after the storm passes
Drip. Drip. Drip. Over the summer, we had a massive thunderstorm pass through Dallas. Torrential downpours, 80 mph winds, lightning, you name it. I didn’t give it much thought; we get a ton of storms and tornadoes down here in Texas, and as long as we didn’t lose power, I could deal. We have a generator, and I spent years working as an electrician, so I felt pretty good.
Then the dripping started. I could hear it, but I couldn’t find it. As I searched, grumbling over my bad luck, something else happened that made me sit up and take notice. It’s a common problem associated with storms, and there’s no doubt you’ve experienced it too. I knew if I didn’t fix it ASAP, it could start a fire.
“Severe weather can wreak havoc on a home’s electrical system in multiple ways, often increasing the risk of dangerous electrical fires,” says Bob Marshall, an electrical engineer and fire prevention expert who is the co-developer of Ting, an AI-powered sensor that prevents home electrical fires.
Luckily, when this common post-storm problem happened to me, I knew what to do next. You may not. Ahead, we’ll walk you through what this problem is, why it’s so dangerous and what you need to do if it happens. And we’ll explain why this fire hazard gets worse after major events like thunderstorms, hurricanes and tornadoes. Keep reading to learn how to protect yourself and your home.
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What common post-storm problem is a bigger deal than you think?
Believe it or not, it’s flickering lights. While I was poking around looking for the leak, the lights in my bedroom started dimming erratically, and they didn’t stop after the storm had moved on. That wasn’t good.
“Flickering lights are one of the most recognizable signs of electrical trouble,” Marshall says.
Now, you’re probably thinking: My lights dim and flicker during storms all the time. What’s the big deal? They always come right back. And they might. Flickering during a storm can be temporary, often caused by tree limbs falling on outside power lines or lightning-induced voltage fluctuations on the electrical grid.
But according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), lighting and electrical distribution equipment cause more than 31,500 home-structure fires every year in the United States, putting them solidly in the top five causes of home fires. They’re the leading cause of fire property damage, to the tune of $1.6 billion per year, and the third-leading cause of home fire deaths.
How can this cause a fire, exactly?
The problem is something called arcing. Flickering lights are often caused by tiny little arcs of electricity “jumping” between wires or electrical connections. If you’ve just had a major rain event, like we get down here on the regular in the form of thunderstorms, floods and sometimes hurricanes farther south, it’s even worse.
“Moisture corrodes electrical connections, making them prone to sparking (electrical arcing), which is a leading cause of house fires,” Marshall says. In addition, water itself actually conducts electricity. If you’ve had major water intrusion or a leak that goes undetected too long, your home’s wires, electrical boxes and fittings, plus anything in the vicinity, can be at risk.
“These sparks generate extreme heat, which can char insulation, melt wiring and eventually ignite nearby materials,” Marshall says. “Over time, even small flickers can cause cumulative damage that leads to a major fire event.”
What should you do if your lights are flickering after a storm?
“Never ignore flickering lights, especially after a storm, flood or hurricane,” Marshall says. I had plenty to do (wind took down a neighbor’s tree, and it was all hands on deck), but I knew I had to investigate my flickering lights right away. Here’s what I did—and what you should do, too, in a similar situation.
Turn off the light
First things first: Turn off the light switch. Flipping the switch on the wall stops the electrical current from traveling up the wires to the light.
“Homes contain miles of wiring and hundreds of connections,” Marshall says. The cause of your flickering lights could be anywhere along the path from the source to the light. If you have flickering light bulbs, start by turning them off.
Inspect for moisture
If you’re comfortable on a ladder, carefully look for signs of water intrusion. Is the ceiling soggy? Does the fixture look rusty? Do you see drips or streaks coming from the light, outlets or switches? Do you hear buzzing or smell burning? If so, get down, shut off the breaker and consult a pro.
Check the bulb
A loose bulb can definitely cause flickering. Tighten it up and try the light again.
If it’s still flickering, remove the light bulb and take a look at the threads on the bulb and the socket. Do they look rusty? Is the bulb hard to turn or stuck completely? These are clues that the light has been compromised by water. If the bulb looks OK, reinstall it (or swap it for a new one) and make sure it’s snug.
Pro tip: The little metal tab inside a light socket connects to the “hot” electrical wire in your circuit; the metal screw shell goes to the neutral. To avoid electrical shock, never stick your finger or anything else in a light socket.
Reset the breaker
If the bulb is fine and you don’t see signs of water damage, try resetting the breaker. Flip it off, then on again. A breaker that doesn’t hold, or trips immediately, is a sign of trouble. “Tripped breakers, especially those that immediately trip again when reset, are a red flag,” Marshall says. Leave the breaker off, and call an electrician.
Call the utility company
If lights are flickering all over your house, rather than on a single circuit or in a single room, the problem is likely to be at your electrical panel or outside at the meter, transformer or utility pole. Once the storm dies down, check with your neighbors to see if they’re having the same issue.
“If your neighbors are also experiencing flickering lights, the issue may be with the utility’s equipment—in which case you should report it to your electric utility immediately,” Marshall says. Turn off the main breaker, and call the utility company. (Check your bill or look online for the number.) They will send someone out to fix a problem on the exterior wires or advise you further.
When should you call an electrician after a storm?
Anytime there’s not a simple solution to your flickering lights, such as replacing the light bulb or flipping the breaker, call an electrician. You should also call an electrician after a storm if you experience any of the following issues:
- Damaged service mast: The service mast is the thing on your roof or the side of your house where electricity enters your home. If it’s damaged but still attached to your home, shut off the main breaker, report it to the utility company and call a licensed electrician to fix it. (The mast is generally your responsibility.) If it’s down on the ground or you see other downed power lines, sparking or arcing, on your property or in your neighborhood, call 911.
- Water in appliances: Water and electrical appliances definitely don’t mix. If appliances or cords were submerged in water, even briefly, don’t plug them in until you get them checked out. Even if the electronics weren’t submerged, insulation near the bottom can wick moisture upward and affect electrical connections. Even an inch or two of water on your floor can mean big problems down the line.
- Burning, buzzing and scorch marks: “Always trust your senses,” Marshall says. “If you see flickering lights, smell burning or electrical odors, or hear buzzing, act immediately. Shut off the breaker to the problem circuit, and schedule a licensed electrician as soon as possible.”
- Water in your electrical panel: If your panel got splashed or submerged, even if it looks dry now, call an electrician. Moisture trapped inside will corrode the wires and damage the circuit breakers.
What else should you do to prevent a fire after a severe storm?
Keeping your senses open for electrical issues after a major weather event is important, but that’s only one way to prevent a fire. Here are other ways to stay safe:
- Avoid overloading circuits. When you’re drying out from a major flooding event or cleaning up after a thunderstorm or tornado, it’s tempting to load up your house with fans, wet-dry vacuums and portable air conditioners (especially down here in hot, muggy Texas). Overloaded circuits are fire risks.
- Use generators safely. Don’t overload generators (check the manual for how many watts yours can safely carry), and operate them outside only, at least 20 feet from doors and windows to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Never plug a generator into your home’s outlets, which can cause a dangerous condition called backfeeding, where electrical current flows from the generator to your home’s wiring and onto the electrical grid. Backfeeding is an electrocution hazard for you, your family and electrical workers.
- Don’t daisy-chain extension cords. The connections between cords can get wet, especially after a storm event, and cause sparks and short circuits. Get bigger extension cords if you need more length.
- Be careful with candles. The NFPA reports that candles start more than 5,000 fires, cause 70 deaths and are responsible for $270 million in property damage per year. The better option if your lights go out? Have some battery-operated lanterns on hand instead.
So is a flickering light bulb dangerous? It can be, so take it seriously. When I finally found the incessant dripping sound after our summer storm, I also found a rusty light box and soggy insulation that clearly had been wet for a while. Luckily, the connections inside had not sparked a fire—yet. As I was replacing the light, my mind drifted back to when we bought the house, and the home inspector told me to fix a gap where our upstairs deck meets the roof above the bedroom. Yep, that had been on my to-do list for years. Whoops. Hey, at least I found the leak!
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At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. For this piece on flickering lights, Ally Childress tapped her experience as a longtime reporter and licensed electrician who often covers home and safety topics for Reader’s Digest. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
Sources:
- Bob Marshall, electrical engineer, fire prevention expert and founder of Whisker Labs; email interview, Sept. 19, 2025
- NFPA: “Home Structure Fires”
- American Red Cross: “Generator Safety”
- ServPro: “Can I Keep My Appliances After a Flood?”
