Every year, homeowners across San Rafael, Petaluma, Sonoma, and the surrounding North Bay brace for the same reality: winter storms, heavy rain, strong winds, and the increased likelihood of PG&E Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) and weather-related outages.
From November through January, losing power is not just an inconvenience. It can disrupt your family’s safety, comfort, and daily routine. Whether you are working from home, protecting refrigerated food, keeping medical equipment running, or simply trying to stay warm, preparation is key.
Here are seven things every homeowner can do now to get ready before the next outage strikes.
1. Know If Your Home Is in a High-Risk Outage Area
Some neighborhoods experience outages more frequently than others due to trees, aging infrastructure, or wildfire risk.
Take a few minutes to:
- Check your neighborhood’s outage history.
- Sign up for outage alerts from PG&E.
- Familiarize yourself with your local emergency resources.
Knowing your home’s risk level helps you make informed decisions before storm season arrives.
2. Test Your Emergency Supplies
When the power goes out, simple things become incredibly important.
Make sure you have:
- Flashlights with fresh batteries
- Battery-powered lanterns
- Portable phone chargers
- First aid supplies
- Bottled water and non-perishable food
- A battery-powered radio
Avoid relying on candles whenever possible, as they increase the risk of fire.
3. Protect the Appliances You Depend On
Power outages and voltage fluctuations can damage expensive electronics and appliances.
Consider:
- Whole-home surge protection
- Uninterruptible power supplies, or UPS devices, for computers
- Backup power solutions for refrigerators and freezers
- Dedicated circuits for essential equipment
A licensed electrician can help identify vulnerable areas before problems occur.
4. Think About What You Cannot Live Without
Every household is different.
Ask yourself:
- Do you work remotely?
- Do you have refrigerated medications?
- Is someone in your home dependent on medical equipment?
- Do you have a sump pump, well pump, or security system?
- Would losing heat during a winter storm create a safety issue?
Understanding your essential electrical loads is the first step toward choosing the right backup power solution.
5. Never Use a Portable Generator Unsafely
Portable generators can help during an outage, but only when used correctly.
Always remember:
- Never operate a generator inside your home or garage.
- Keep generators well away from doors and windows.
- Never plug a generator directly into a wall outlet.
- Follow all manufacturer safety recommendations.
Improper generator use can create dangerous carbon monoxide and electrical hazards.
6. Consider a Permanent Backup Power Solution
For many North Bay homeowners, standby backup power has become less of a luxury and more of an investment in peace of mind.
Modern standby systems can:
- Automatically restore power within seconds
- Keep refrigerators, heating systems, internet, lighting, and critical circuits running
- Eliminate the hassle of fueling and setting up portable generators during bad weather
- Increase convenience and potentially add value to your home
With more frequent power interruptions across Northern California, many homeowners are choosing permanent backup power before the next storm arrives.
7. Schedule a Complimentary Home Health Check
Not every home needs the same backup solution.
That is why Divine Electric & Plumbing offers a Complimentary Home Health Check to help homeowners understand how prepared they really are.
During your visit, one of our licensed electricians can evaluate:
- Your home’s electrical system
- Critical circuits that should remain powered
- Panel capacity and electrical infrastructure
- Potential safety concerns
- Backup power options tailored to your home’s needs
You will also receive an Outage Readiness Assessment so you can make informed decisions before the next major storm.
Do Not Wait Until the Forecast Calls for Rain
When a major storm is approaching, installation schedules fill quickly, and many homeowners begin looking for backup power at the same time.
Planning ahead means:
- More installation flexibility
- Time to evaluate the right solution
- Peace of mind before the next outage, not during it
To make protecting your home even easier, Divine Electric & Plumbing currently offers:
- Up to $1,000 off qualifying backup power installations
- Financing available with payments as low as $200 per month, on approved credit
- Power Outage Protection Check for $79, normally $199. Includes a load calculation, location review, panel sizing, and code compliance check.
Prepare Today. Stay Powered Tomorrow.
If you live in San Rafael, Petaluma, Sonoma, or anywhere throughout Marin or Sonoma County, now is the perfect time to prepare for Generator Season.
Schedule your Complimentary Home Health Check with Divine Electric & Plumbing today and discover the best way to keep your home safe, comfortable, and powered when the grid goes down.