Can you turn the power off yourself?
- IfThe panel is upstairs or in a dry area, and you can reach it without touching waterSwitch off the breakers for the flooded area, or the main breaker if you are unsure which circuits are involved.
- IfThe panel is in the flooded basement or you would stand in water to reach itDo not try. Contact the utility to disconnect service at the meter.
- IfWater is dripping from a ceiling near a light fixtureTurn off that circuit at the panel; avoid using the wall switch while it is wet.
- IfBreakers keep tripping when you try to restore powerLeave them off. Wet wiring or devices need an electrician's inspection.
Before power returns to a flooded area
Why this matters during drying too
Even after the water is gone, a typical drying setup can include several dehumidifiers and many air movers, each drawing steady power for days. In older Aurora homes with limited circuits, that load can overwhelm a basement circuit. In office suites and clinics, drying equipment may share circuits with computers, medical devices or refrigeration that cannot afford an interruption.
A good contractor asks which circuits are available, spreads equipment across them, and tells you where cords will run. If you share a building, let neighbors and other tenants know about cords in hallways and keep exit paths clear. Cords taped down across a corridor are a trip hazard that should be planned for, not improvised.
Questions to ask before equipment is set up
- How many amps will the drying equipment draw, and on which circuits?
- Will any equipment run on a generator or a temporary power source, and where will that sit?
- Who should I call if a breaker trips overnight?
- Does any of the equipment need to be shut off for sensitive devices nearby?
General information for Aurora, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.