Keeping Your Basement Dry in an Outage
Last verified: September 2026
When the power goes out in a storm, the sump pump stops — and a basement that stays dry thanks to it can start to flood. Here's how to keep the water out anyway, and stay safe doing it. Call (330) 200-8042.
Keeping Your Basement Dry, at a Glance
Here's a problem many folks don't see coming: when the power goes out during a storm, the sump pump stops — and a basement that stays dry thanks to that pump can start to flood just when the rain is heaviest. This guide covers backup pumps, powering the sump another way, water alarms, protecting belongings, and prevention. Most important of all: never enter a flooded basement if water may be touching outlets, cords, or wiring — it can electrocute you. There's a printable 29-page version up top.
Common Questions
1 Why does my basement flood when the power goes out?
Because your sump pump runs on electricity. When a storm knocks out the power — often during the heaviest rain — the pump stops, and groundwater rises in the pit and can spill onto the floor. The storm causes both problems at once.
2 What's the best backup for a sump pump?
A battery-backup sump pump is the most common — a second pump that runs on a battery through an outage. On city water, a water-powered backup needs no electricity at all. A generator or battery power station can also run the main pump.
3 Can I run my sump pump on a generator?
Yes — a generator or battery station can power it, but a sump pump's motor draws a starting surge, so size your backup power for it. And a generator always runs outdoors, well away from the house, because of carbon monoxide.
4 Is it safe to go into a flooded basement?
Not if the water could be touching outlets, cords, appliances, or wiring — it can become electrified. Shut off power to the basement first, only if you can do so from dry ground, or stay out and call an electrician or your utility. When in doubt, keep out.
5 How can I keep water out of the basement in the first place?
Keep gutters clean and downspouts directing water well away from the foundation, make sure the ground slopes away from the house, and add a water alarm for early warning. Less water reaching the sump means less that can flood in an outage.
6 What should I do to protect what's in the basement?
Store belongings up on shelves or pallets and in waterproof bins, keep important documents and irreplaceable items out of the basement entirely, and raise electronics and appliances where you can. A few inches off the floor saves most items from shallow flooding.
Would You Rather I Just Help?
A wet basement in an outage is a real Ohio problem, and I'm glad to help — assessing your risk, choosing the right backup pump or power, adding a water alarm, and coordinating the pro to install it. $99 flat for a visit, 30-day come-back-free.
Would you rather I just do this for you?
No shame in it — plenty of folks would rather hand it off, and that's what I'm here for. I'll come to your home, set it up right, and make sure it's working before I leave. Flat $99 per visit — no jargon, no upsell, and every visit is 30-day come-back-free.
Not a hardware job? I can often fix it remotely for $49 — a secure screen-share, up to 2 hours, that you watch the whole time and can end whenever (included free for $39/mo Support Plan members, and it counts toward the $99 if it turns out I need to come out).