Storm-Season Prep: What to Unplug - A Plain-English Guide
Last verified: September 2026
When the weather turns, a five-minute routine beats scrambling in the dark. Here's what to unplug (data lines included), what to leave running, and how to keep a simple list by the door. Want a hand? Call me at (330) 200-8042.
Storm-Season Prep, at a Glance
When a storm's on the way, a calm routine beats scrambling. Unplug what you can't afford to lose and don't need running — the TV, the computer, the game console — including their data lines like the cable. Leave the necessities running, check that your surge protectors' lights are still green, and charge your phones and backups ahead of time. A whole-home protector means far less scrambling, though in a severe storm unplugging your crown jewels is still smartest. This guide gives you the simple routine, in plain English. There's a printable 29-page version up top.
Common Questions
1 What should I unplug before a storm?
The things you'd hate to lose and don't need on: the TV and its cable box, the computer and network gear, the game console. Pull the power cord and the data lines — like the coax — on each one, since a surge travels those too.
2 Should I unplug the refrigerator?
No — leave the fridge and freezer running so they hold temperature. They shrug off small surges far better than electronics do, and a whole-home protector guards them anyway. It's the sensitive electronics you pull.
3 What about the sump pump or well pump?
Don't unplug those — they need to keep running. Their plan is a backup-power source so they work when the power fails. Our backup-power and generator guides cover how to do that safely, including running a generator safely.
4 If I have a whole-home protector, do I still unplug?
It means far less scrambling, since it handles the everyday and nearby-strike surges at the panel. But in a truly severe storm, unplugging your crown jewels is still smartest — nothing reliably survives a direct hit.
5 How do I know my surge protectors are still good?
Glance at the indicator light — usually a steady green when the protection is working. If it's out while the strip still has power, the protection is used up; replace it before the weather turns.
6 When should I run my storm routine?
Early — when the forecast first turns or you hear distant thunder, not once the storm is overhead. Unplug then, and after it passes give the power a few minutes to settle before plugging back in, since power returning can bring its own surge.
Would You Rather I Just Help?
A little prep turns a storm from stressful into merely inconvenient. I'll set up your protectors and their data lines, write your what-to-unplug list, label the plugs, and line you up with a trusted electrician for a whole-home unit or a pump backup if you want one. Nothing to sell you, ever. $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).