Floods can damage your electrical installation and create serious safety risks such as electrocution or fire. When electrical appliances, wiring, or switchboards are covered in flood waters, even after waters subside, they remain dangerous. Electricity and water are a dangerous mix. The surrounding area can become highly hazardous, especially if powerlines have fallen across roads, rooftops, or yards.
If your property has been flood affected, you must follow strict safety information and only allow a licensed professional to conduct an electrical safety inspection for any damage.
This guide outlines how to stay safe, what to do before and after a flood, and when to call emergency services or an electrical contractor. Understanding electrical safety during flood damage can protect lives, prevent electrocution, and ensure your home is properly restored.
Why Electrical Safety Is Critical During Flooding
Flooding can result in safety risks that are not always visible. When water enters your property, it may damage your electrical installation and wiring. Even once flood waters subside, appliances and sockets may still hold live current. The combination of electricity and water significantly increases the risk of electric shock, fire, or fatal injury. Understanding how flood water interacts with your home’s electrical systems is essential before attempting to turn anything back on or enter flooded areas.
How Floodwater Affects Electrical Systems
Flood waters can damage your electrical wiring, switchboard, and connected appliances, risks that also arise when doing DIY electrical, where unsafe handling increases the chance of shock and fire. When wires are covered in flood water, they can short-circuit, corrode internally, or transfer current into walls or floors. Debris can conduct electricity and make the surrounding area highly dangerous. Even if the power supply has been disconnected, residual current may remain in hard-wired electrical appliances or solar PV systems. Any flood-affected components must be inspected by a qualified electrician before reconnection is considered safe.
Common Hazards to Watch Out For
- Power points or switches in contact with water
- Water-damaged hard-wired electrical appliances
- Shock or tingling sensation from metallic objects
- Electricity poles or wires fallen across roads or homes
- Rooftop solar systems affected by water
- Substations or switchboards inundated with water
- Debris touching live wires or electrical items
- Travelling by boat near electricity poles or fallen powerlines
What to Do Immediately When Flooding Begins
During the early stages of flooding, quick decisions can reduce danger and prevent damage to your electrical installation. The priority is to stay safe and avoid any situation where water and electricity might come into contact. Only take action if it’s safe to do so. If your switchboard or power supply is already affected, leave the property and wait for emergency services or a licensed electrician to assess the situation.
If It’s Safe – Turn Off Power
Before flood waters enter your home, turn off the electricity at the main switch. Do not attempt this if you need to stand in water or if the switchboard is already wet or covered in flood waters.
If the system has been damaged or you see signs of sparking, smoke, or fallen powerlines, evacuate immediately and call 000. After the emergency is under control, an emergency electrician can help address and safely restore your power.
Avoid Contact with Anything Electrical
- Do not plug in or use any electrical appliances
- Stay at least 150 metres away from any substation or fallen electricity poles
- Avoid using a generator indoors or in wet areas
- Do not walk through water if you suspect submerged electrical items
- Never try to move powerlines that have fallen across your property
- Keep away from rooftop solar panels affected by water
- Stay alert for shock or tingling sensation from metal surfaces or plumbing
- Call emergency services to clear any immediate danger
Steps to Take After Floodwater Recedes
Even after the water disappears, the danger is not over. Flood waters can damage your electrical installation in ways that are not immediately visible. Water-damaged wiring, sockets, and switchboards may still conduct electricity. Reconnecting power without a full inspection can lead to fire, shock, or electrocution. It is critical to take the proper steps before restoring your power supply.
Do Not Restore Power Yourself
Never attempt to turn the power back on after your property has been flood affected. Your electricity distributor may have disconnected supply for safety reasons. Reconnection should only be carried out after your system is cleared by a licensed electrician. Turning the power back on too soon may cause short circuits, fire, or injury. If you see any damage, fallen powerlines, or feel a tingling sensation near outlets or plumbing, leave the property and contact emergency services.
Get a Professional Electrical Inspection
Before power is restored, a licensed electrician must inspect all wiring, switchboards, electrical appliances, and rooftop solar systems, following the same thorough process seen in any quality pre-powerup safety inspection. They will check all water-damaged hard-wired electrical items, including stoves, air conditioners, and hot water units. If these items were covered in flood waters, they must be tested or replaced.
The electrician will then issue a certificate of electrical safety confirming the system is safe for reconnection. Without this certificate, it is illegal to resume normal use of your power supply. Always use a qualified or registered electrical contractor to ensure your property is safe to occupy again.
Replace, Repair, or Remove? Understanding Flood-Damaged Electrical Gear
Flood waters can damage your electrical appliances and systems beyond repair. Even if they appear to work, internal components may be corroded or unsafe. A licensed electrician must determine which items need replacing, which can be repaired, and which must be removed for safety reasons.
| Electrical Item | Action Required |
|---|---|
| Power points and light switches | Replace if covered in flood waters |
| Switchboards and circuit breakers | Must be inspected and likely replaced, which is often part of a switchboard repair or replacement service. |
| Electrical wiring and junction boxes | Inspect for corrosion and insulation damage |
| Hard-wired appliances (e.g. ovens, A/C) | Must be tested by a licensed electrician |
| Power boards and extension leads | Discard immediately if affected |
| Rooftop solar PV systems and inverters | Inspect thoroughly before reconnection |
| Battery storage units | Check for water damage, insulation risk |
| Hot water systems (electric) | Replace if submerged or exposed |
| Generators used during floods | Test before reuse, ensure ventilation and grounding |
| Outdoor lighting and garden power | Must be inspected for moisture or damage |
All electrical items affected by water must be handled cautiously. Damage may not be visible, but it can significantly increase the risk of fire or electrocution.
Essential Electrical Safety Equipment Post-Flood
Once your property has been cleared and it’s safe to restore electricity, consider upgrading your electrical systems to reduce risk in future flood events. Modern safety devices and elevated installations can protect your home and family if flooding occurs again.
Key Equipment to Install or Upgrade
- Residual Current Devices (RCDs): These safety switches quickly shut off power when a fault or leakage is detected, helping to prevent electric shocks.
- RCBOs: A combined circuit breaker and RCD that offers protection from both overloads and earth leakage. Ideal for replacing old single-function breakers.
- Surge Protection Devices: Surge protection devices help safeguard your appliances and wiring from sudden voltage spikes after a storm, and are available through surge protector installation services.
- Weatherproof Sockets: For outdoor or low-lying areas, use power points with a certified IP rating to prevent moisture ingress.
- Elevated Switchboards: In flood-prone homes, consider relocating switchboards higher above ground level to keep them clear of future flood waters.
- Solar PV Safety Switches: These allow fast isolation of rooftop solar systems during emergencies, reducing the risk of live current near damaged panels.
Installing the right equipment does not eliminate all risk, but it greatly reduces the danger of electrocution, fire, or appliance failure in the event of future flooding. Surge protection devices and others play an essential role in keeping your home’s wiring and equipment safe from sudden spikes, especially if you understand the importance of protecting against whole-home surges.
Final Electrical Safety Checklist Before Reconnection
Before electricity can be safely restored, work through the following checklist with your licensed electrician:
- Ensure all areas of the property are completely dry with no remaining flood water
- Remove or isolate any electrical appliances or equipment affected by water
- Have all switchboards, wiring, sockets, and rooftop solar systems inspected
- Confirm that your electrical contractor checks all water-damaged hard-wired electrical appliances
- Do not turn on power, flip any switches, or use outlets until testing is complete
- Make sure a certificate of electrical safety is issued by your licensed electrician
- Stay at least 150 metres away from fallen powerlines or damaged poles
- Report the problem immediately if you notice damage near your switchboard, substation, or power supply
These steps must be completed to eliminate safety risks such as electrocution or fire.
If your property was flood affected, Calibre Connect can help. Our licensed electricians handle inspections, safety checks, and reconnections across Sydney. Stay safe and get your power restored the right way, contact us for a fast, compliant service.
If your property was flood affected, Calibre Connect can help. Our licensed electricians handle inspections, safety checks, and reconnections across Sydney. Stay safe and get your power restored the right way, contact us for a fast, compliant service.