Written by Jimco Electric | Published on June 2025
Illinois storm season runs from roughly April through October, and it brings with it some of the most dangerous electrical situations a homeowner can face. Lightning strikes, flooding, downed power lines, and power surges cause thousands of electrical emergencies across the Chicago area and surrounding suburbs every year.
This guide covers the most important things Illinois homeowners need to know before, during, and after a storm. We will walk through specific hazards, safety steps, what repairs typically cost, and when to call a licensed electrician instead of handling things yourself.
Recognize the Most Dangerous Post-Storm Electrical Hazards
Not all storm damage is obvious. Some of the most dangerous electrical situations are invisible until something goes wrong. After a major storm in the Chicago area, watch for these warning signs.
- Burning smell or scorch marks near outlets, panels, or fixtures
- Flickering or dead circuits that were working before the storm
- Breakers tripping repeatedly after power is restored
- Standing water near your electrical panel, outlets, or appliances
- Visible damage to your meter box or exterior service entrance
- Appliances behaving erratically after a power surge
- A buzzing or crackling sound from walls or your breaker panel
Any of these signs means you should stop using affected circuits immediately. Do not reset tripped breakers multiple times. That repeated tripping is your panel telling you something is wrong downstream.
In the 40-mile suburban ring around Chicago, including towns like Joliet, Naperville, Orland Park, and Oak Lawn, older housing stock from the 1950s and 1960s is especially vulnerable. Aging wiring does not handle modern surge loads well under the best conditions. A storm makes it worse.
Understand What to Do When Power Lines Are Down
Downed power lines are one of the leading causes of electrocution after severe storms. ComEd serves most of the Chicago metro area and responds to line outages, but response times during major events like the derecho storms Illinois has experienced can stretch to 24 to 72 hours or longer.
Follow these rules without exception when a line is down near your property.
- Stay at least 30 feet away from any downed wire, even if it appears dead or not sparking.
- Keep children and pets inside and away from windows facing the downed line.
- Do not drive over a downed wire. The current can travel through your vehicle.
- Call 911 first, then call ComEd at 1-800-334-7661 to report the outage.
- If a line falls on your car while you are inside, stay in the car and call 911. Do not step out unless the car is on fire.
- Do not attempt to move wires with any tool, including wood. Ground current makes this dangerous.
A line does not need to be sparking or arcing to be live and lethal. Assume every downed wire is energized until ComEd confirms otherwise.
Compare Common Storm Electrical Damage and Repair Costs
After a storm, repair costs vary widely depending on what was damaged. Below is a breakdown of typical electrical repair costs in the Chicago area and surrounding suburbs that Jimco Electric serves.
| Type of Damage | Typical Repair Cost | Urgency Level |
|---|---|---|
| Surge damage to outlets or receptacles | $150 to $400 per area | High |
| Damaged or flooded breaker panel | $1,500 to $4,000+ | Critical |
| Lightning strike damage to wiring | $800 to $3,500+ | Critical |
| Exterior meter base or service entrance repair | $300 to $1,200 | High |
| Whole-home surge protector installation | $250 to $600 installed | Preventive |
| Generator hookup or transfer switch installation | $500 to $1,500 | Preventive |
| Damaged GFCI outlets in kitchen or bathroom | $100 to $250 per outlet | Moderate |
These ranges reflect Chicago-area labor rates and material costs as of 2025. Emergency or after-hours calls typically add a service fee of $75 to $150 on top of standard rates. Jimco Electric provides upfront estimates before any work begins so there are no surprises on the final bill.
Know When Water and Electricity Have Mixed in Your Home
Flooding is the storm hazard most homeowners underestimate from an electrical standpoint. Even a few inches of water reaching your electrical panel, outlets, or wiring is a serious safety problem that requires a licensed electrician before power is restored.
Here is a simple framework for what to do based on flooding level.
| Flooding Situation | Immediate Action | Who to Call |
|---|---|---|
| Water near but not touching electrical panel | Monitor closely, keep dry materials nearby, evacuate if worsening | Electrician for inspection |
| Water has reached or submerged the panel | Do NOT touch the panel. Call ComEd to disconnect service from the street. | ComEd + licensed electrician |
| Outlets or wiring submerged in any area | Do not use electricity in that area until inspected | Licensed electrician before reuse |
| Standing water in basement with sump pump running | Verify sump pump circuit is on a GFCI breaker before continuing operation | Electrician if uncertain |
Illinois building codes require electrical systems to be inspected and cleared by a licensed electrician after flood exposure before power is restored. This is not optional. Insurance companies also typically require documentation of this inspection for flood-related claims.
Basements in Chicago-area homes are particularly at risk during heavy rain events. The flat terrain throughout Cook, DuPage, and Will counties means drainage is slow, and basement flooding can happen quickly even without a named storm.
Prepare Before the Storm to Reduce Emergency Risk
The best time to deal with a storm electrical emergency is before the storm hits. A few investments made now can prevent thousands of dollars in damage and keep your family safe during the next big weather event.
- Install a whole-home surge protector. A single lightning strike on or near your home can travel through utility lines and fry every connected device. A panel-level surge protector absorbs that spike before it reaches your wiring.
- Have your panel inspected if it is over 25 years old. Older panels from brands like Federal Pacific or Zinsco have known safety issues and are especially vulnerable to surge and overload damage.
- Check your GFCI outlets in kitchens, bathrooms, garages, and basements. Press the test button. If the outlet does not reset properly, it needs replacing before storm season.
- Have a licensed electrician install a transfer switch if you own or plan to buy a generator. Running a portable generator without one can backfeed the grid and injure utility workers.
- Know where your main breaker is and confirm it operates smoothly. A stiff or difficult main breaker may not cut power when you need it to.
- Trim trees near power lines on your property. Contact ComEd for lines on the street side. Hire an arborist for trees on your side of the meter.
Jimco Electric recommends scheduling a pre-storm season electrical inspection every few years, especially for homes built before 1980. The inspection typically takes one to two hours and can catch problems before they become emergencies.
Understand Generator Safety for Illinois Homeowners
Generator use surges after every major storm in the Chicago area, and so does carbon monoxide poisoning. Illinois sees dozens of generator-related CO incidents every year, many of which are preventable with basic safety knowledge.
- Never run a portable generator inside your garage, even with the door open. CO builds up faster than most people expect.
- Keep generators at least 20 feet from any door, window, or vent opening on your home.
- Do not plug a generator directly into a wall outlet. This is called backfeeding and it is illegal and dangerous.
- Use a properly installed transfer switch or interlock kit. These devices prevent backfeeding and allow safe generator use with your existing circuits.
- Check your generator’s oil and fuel before storm season, not during a blackout when stores are already sold out.
Transfer switch installation is one of the most common post-storm requests Jimco Electric receives from homeowners in the western and southwestern suburbs, including Bolingbrook, Tinley Park, and Homer Glen. If you have been running extension cords from a generator for years, a proper transfer switch is a straightforward upgrade that makes your setup both safer and more convenient.
FAQs on Storm Season Electrical Emergencies in Illinois
Is it safe to use electricity in my home after a storm if the power just came back on?
It depends on whether your home experienced any flooding, surge damage, or physical damage to wiring or your panel. If everything appears undamaged and your circuits are behaving normally, resuming use is generally safe. If you noticed surges, flickering, or burning smells during or after the storm, have an electrician inspect the system before relying on it.
How long does it take ComEd to restore power after a major storm in Chicago?
After a widespread storm event, ComEd typically restores power to most customers within 24 to 72 hours, though some outages in harder-hit areas can last up to five days. ComEd prioritizes hospitals and critical infrastructure first, then works outward through the grid. You can check real-time outage maps at ComEd’s website or call 1-800-334-7661.
Can I reset my breaker panel after a storm knocks out power to part of my house?
You can attempt to reset a tripped breaker once. If it trips again immediately, do not keep resetting it. Repeated tripping signals an overload, a short circuit, or damaged wiring downstream. At that point, the circuit needs to be inspected by a licensed electrician before it is safe to use again.
Does homeowners insurance cover storm-related electrical damage in Illinois?
Most standard homeowners insurance policies in Illinois cover lightning strike damage and electrical fires caused by storms. Flood damage to your electrical system typically requires separate flood insurance through the NFIP or a private flood policy. Always document damage with photos before any repairs begin and contact your insurance provider promptly.
What permits are required to repair storm electrical damage in Chicago or the suburbs?
Panel replacements, new service entrances, and significant rewiring all require permits in Chicago and most surrounding municipalities. Permit requirements ensure the work is inspected and meets Illinois electrical code. Jimco Electric handles the permit process as part of any major repair, so you are not left managing that paperwork on your own.
How do I know if my electrical panel was damaged by a power surge?
Signs of surge damage to a panel include breakers that feel warm to the touch, visible scorch marks or melted plastic inside the panel door, breakers that trip without an apparent cause, or a burning smell near the panel. If you notice any of these after a storm, turn off the main breaker and call a licensed electrician right away.
Wrap Up and Next Steps
Storm season in Illinois is not something to approach casually when it comes to your home’s electrical system. Knowing the warning signs, understanding what to do in the first minutes after a storm, and making a few smart investments before severe weather hits can protect both your family and your home from serious harm.
If you experienced storm damage, have concerns about your panel, or want to get ahead of the next big weather event with a surge protector or generator transfer switch, Jimco Electric is ready to help. We serve Chicago and communities throughout a 40-mile radius, including the western, southwestern, and southern suburbs.
Call Jimco Electric at 708-304-8687 to schedule an inspection or request emergency service. Our team responds promptly and gives you straight answers about what your home needs.