Anyone who lives in South Florida is aware of the potential of major storms and power outages. While many of these threats pass by without incident, in recent years we have seen several area storms which have knocked out power in Sarasota and Bradenton, leaving residents in the dark – and without air conditioning – for weeks at a time. While severe storms can catch us by surprise, the path of named storms and hurricanes are broadcast for weeks prior to their arrival.
This lead time allows for preparation and planning for area residents. However, when it comes to keeping the power on, many people still roll the dice and hope they escape the brunt of the storm.
Where to Find a Generator After the Storm
Where can you find a generator after a storm? The simple answer is, you probably cannot. Here are the main reasons why relying on an “after the fact “ strategy will not work when it comes to obtaining a backup power generator when you find yourself without electricity.
Inventory
The most obvious reason that you may not get your hands on a generator is simply lack of inventory. Although local retailers and electrical services companies may keep several portable generators in stock, those are claimed rather quickly when a storm is bearing down on the area.
In 2017, Hurricane Irma left over 6 million Floridians without power; while after Michael in 2018, 400,000 Florida residents lost power. Relying on obtaining a generator along with hundreds of thousands of other people who find themselves without power is most likely a losing proposition.
Gas Availability
In the days leading up to Hurricane Irma, we saw incredible footage of people fleeing the state – clogging highways and resulting in traffic coming to a complete standstill.
Many people ran out of gas on the road.
Unfortunately, they had no recourse, as gas stations themselves also ran out of fuel. There were many stories of people sleeping in the cars in line at the gas station, waiting for fuel to arrive. If you are hoping to run your air conditioning unit, refrigerator, and lighting on a portable generator, you will need sufficient gas.
This means if you do not have it ahead of time, you may not be able to run the generator for long – even if you have it.
Expert Electrical Assistance
Any process or wiring involving your electrical panel should be overseen and performed by a licensed and insured electrician. Simply plugging a portable generator into your panels may work in the short term, but may cause major damage in the long run.
For instance, residents have experienced power surges when services were returned suddenly. These surges have damaged appliances, blown fuses, and even caused transformer failure, affecting the entire neighborhood.
Even if you are successful in obtaining a generator and gas, improper installation may cause issues. Unfortunately, qualified electricians and generator installers are quite busy with current customers at these times, and are unlikely to have time to assist.
In the absence of portable generators, many homeowners wonder if they can purchase a residential generator which can be installed at their residence. After all, storms come every year – and installing a permanent generator seems a viable option. However, installing a permanent generator actually takes approximately 4-6 weeks, and therefore is not a solution to the immediate power problem.
The news is not all bad, however.
Call Promise Electric today, before the storm hits, to speak with us about purchasing either a portable generator or to have a residential generator installed. We can answer any questions you may have, make professional recommendations based on your needs, and even discuss financing options.
Promise Electric wants you to have peace of mind as the storm approaches, knowing that you have the capability to keep your home and family protected.
