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Houston Hurricane Season Appliance Survival Guide: Surge Protection, Flood Tips, and What to Do After an Outage
- Marsel Gareyev
- Sep 24
- 7 min read
This guide is the practical playbook our techs wish every homeowner had on the counter before the first rain band rolls through. It blends homeowner how-to steps with the real-world things we see every season in Sugar Land, Katy, The Woodlands, and across Houston. I’ll share a quick story, then we’ll get into simple, safe steps that can save your food, your wiring, and sometimes the appliance itself.
A quick story (and a lesson learned)
Last year’s first big blow, a family in Westbury called us right after the power snapped back on. They’d done what most of us would do—flip the main, open the fridge, and check if the ice maker still works. Within minutes, the refrigerator’s control board let out that all-too-familiar burnt-electronics smell. A couple of blinks on the stove clock later, the oven wouldn’t heat either. Classic post-outage surge damage.
The fix? New board on the fridge, diagnostics on the range, and a hard conversation about surge protection. The upside: they installed whole-home surge protection plus point-of-use protection for the fridge and their built-in ice machine. No repeat issues since. (We’ll cover how to do that below.)
If any of this sounds familiar and you need help now, our Emergency Appliance Repair team can get you on the schedule fast. Or explore Refrigerator Repair, Oven & Stove Repair, Dishwasher Repair, and Washer & Dryer Repair for service details.
First things first: know the season and the spike
The official Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1–November 30, with activity typically peaking late August through September. Even though we’ve seen lulls and weird stretches in recent years, that window is still your planning target. NOAA+1
Here in Texas, you’ll also hear about ERCOT “Weather Watch” notices during extreme heat or cold. Those alerts don’t mean the lights will go out; they’re advance notifications that conditions could stress the grid. Translation: be ready, especially for sensitive appliances. ERCOT+1
Before the storm: protect the boards, protect the food
1) Put a surge strategy in place (it’s simpler than it sounds)
Modern appliances are basically computers with compressors and heating elements. Their control boards don’t love voltage spikes. The best protection is two-layered:
Whole-home surge protection at the panel (installed by a licensed electrician).
Point-of-use surge protection for key appliances that are plug-connected (refrigerator, standalone icemaker, chest freezer). Industry groups note surge protective devices (SPDs) reduce equipment damage and downtime from transient voltages—a big deal for today’s smart appliances. NEMA+1
If you’re not sure which devices make sense for your setup (built-ins, dedicated circuits, gas vs. electric), ask during your next service visit. We can advise on what complements your panel-level protection.
2) Prep the fridge and freezer for an outage
Dial in Temps: Fridge at 40°F (4°C) or below; freezer at 0°F (-18°C). Keep appliance thermometers inside so you don’t have to guess later. USDA
Freeze what you can: Move milk, leftovers, and proteins you won’t need immediately into the freezer to extend their safe window if the power goes.
Fill space: Jugs of water (with a little headroom for expansion) boost thermal mass so food stays colder longer.
3) If evacuation is likely
Unplug non-essentials before leaving; leave the fridge and freezer plugged in if safe to do so.
If you shut off the main power due to damage risk, keep fridge doors closed and treat contents as suspect on return unless temps stayed safe.
Turn off gas if told to or if you suspect damage. Don’t try to relight anything yourself after flooding—more on this below. AHAM Blog
During the storm & outage: what to do (and what to avoid)
1) Keep the cold, cold
A closed refrigerator keeps food safe for about 4 hours without power. A full freezer holds temperature roughly 48 hours (24 if half-full). The key is don’t open the doors unless absolutely necessary. If you do have to open, do it once and plan your grabs. FoodSafety.gov+1
2) Generator and grill safety (critical)
Never run a portable generator indoors or in a garage. Keep it at least 20 feet from doors, windows, and vents. Carbon monoxide is invisible and deadly. CDC+1
Gas grills and camp stoves are for outdoors only—no exceptions.
3) Resist the “flip it on and see” impulse
When power flickers on and off, those mini-surges are brutal on boards and relay contacts. Wait for stable power before restarting sensitive appliances. If the lights are still dimming or you hear the AC struggling, give it a beat.
After the storm: safe re-start checklist
If your home did not flood
Check power stability
Lights steady? No buzzing at the panel? Good. If you have whole-home surge protection, also verify any indicator lights are normal.
Bring appliances back in stages
Start with the refrigerator (you’ll want to assess food quickly), then the range/oven, then dishwasher, then laundry. Give each appliance a minute between plug-ins or power toggles. Listen for unusual clicks, relay chatter, or error codes.
Fridge & Freezer Food Safety
If your fridge was above 40°F for more than 4 hours, discard perishable items such as meat, fish, eggs, and leftovers. Don’t taste-test—when in doubt, throw it out. FoodSafety.gov+1
Run a short test cycle
For dishwashers and washers, run a quick cycle to confirm fill, heat, and drain operations. Watch for leaks that might have started from vibration or backflow during the outage.
If anything looks or sounds off, snap a photo of the error code and call Emergency Appliance Repair. Quick diagnostics now often prevent bigger failures later.
If your home did flood (or even partially)
Do not plug in or turn on any appliance that was in floodwater until a professional inspects it. Hidden moisture in motors, insulation, and control boards can cause shock, fire, or gas leaks. AHAM Blog
Have a licensed electrician assess the home’s electrical if water rose above outlets or the service panel before you restore power. Local utilities emphasize calling a pro before re-energizing a flooded space. CenterPoint Energy
Assume gas appliances shifted
If you smell gas, hear hissing, or suspect a line moved, leave immediately and contact your gas provider. Don’t relight anything yourself. AHAM Blog
We regularly work with flooded refrigerators, ranges, dishwashers, washers, and dryers across Houston. Some can be safely repaired; others are better replaced. If you need guidance, our team can inspect and—when needed—quote a like-for-like replacement through Appliance Sales so you’re not guessing.
Special cases we see a lot in Houston
1) Ice makers that “die” after outages or brownouts
Often it’s not the icemaker, it’s the water inlet valve, a frozen fill tube after warm-up/rapid cool-down, or a control board that took a hit. Avoid rapid power-cycling. If the unit still throws a code after 24 hours of stable power, schedule Refrigerator Repair.
2) Electric ranges with clocks that blink but no heat
This can be a blown thermal fuse, a failed relay on the board, or a second leg of power not fully restored. We’ll test for full 240V, board function, and element continuity under load. Start a Oven & Stove Repair ticket and we’ll take it from there.
3) Dishwashers that leak “out of nowhere” post-storm
Power glitches can leave cycles mid-stream; debris can also back up during heavy rains. Check that the drain hose hasn’t shifted and run a short cycle while you’re watching. If you see water at the door, call Dishwasher Repair.
4) Dryers that run forever but won’t dry
High humidity plus lint equals poor venting. After storms, outside vent hoods can clog with debris. If your dryer times out but clothes are damp, clean the vent path and schedule Washer & Dryer Repair if it persists.
Flood cleanup and appliances: what’s actually safe?
Small countertop appliances (toasters, coffee makers) that sat above the water line may be salvageable after thorough drying and inspection, but flooded motors or control boards are risky.
Refrigerators with water inside the base or insulation need a professional evaluation. Water wicks farther than you’d think.
Gas ranges can appear fine yet have compromised valves or igniters. Always get a safety check before use.
Authoritative industry guidance is clear: don’t energize flooded appliances until evaluated. AHAM Blog+1
A word on food safety (free resource you’ll want to bookmark)
Keep foodsafety.gov handy. It has a straightforward chart for what to keep and what to toss after an outage, plus clear time/temperature rules. If your fridge ever spends ~4 hours above 40°F during a blackout, perishable foods should be discarded—no exceptions. Bookmark this so you’re not deciding by smell at 11 p.m. FoodSafety.gov
Quick reference: storm day checklist
Before the storm
Set fridge to ≤ 40°F; freezer to 0°F; put thermometers inside. USDA
Freeze extra water jugs and proteins you won’t need immediately. Food Safety.
Verify your surge protection: panel SPD + key plug-in SPDs. NEMA
If evacuation is possible, review gas shutoff and unplug non-essentials. AHAM Blog
During the outage
Keep appliance doors closed to preserve cold; remember the 4-hour fridge window. FoodSafety.gov
Run generators outside, 20+ feet from openings. CDC
After the storm
When to call Factory Appliance Service (and what we’ll do)
Call us if:
Power is back but an appliance won’t start, throws an error code, or smells burnt.
An appliance was exposed to water at floor level (even briefly).
You lost cooling, have a dead oven, or a dishwasher won’t drain after the outage.
We’ll triage your call, prioritize critical needs (refrigeration, flooding, safety issues), and send a factory-trained technician with the tools and parts to get you back on track. If repair isn’t the smart move, we’ll guide you on Appliance Sales for a reliable replacement—no hard sell, just straight talk.
Final thought
Storms are messy and plans are imperfect—every Houstonian knows that. But a few small decisions made now (a surge plan, two thermometers, a laminated checklist on the fridge) can save you hundreds, sometimes thousands, when the lights hiccup or the water rises. And if something does go sideways, our Emergency Appliance Repair team is here to help—fast, local, and factory-trained.
Stay safe this season, and keep this guide close. We hope you won’t need it—but if you do, you’ll be ready.
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