Urgent Electrical Problems in Houston
How to recognize an electrical emergency, and the safe first steps to take before you call.
Fire, smoke, a downed line or a shock: call 911 first. For sparks, a burning smell, a hot panel or water near electrical parts, shut off what you safely can, then call us.
Warning Signs and What to Do First
Each sign below has a likely meaning and one safe step. None of the steps involve opening a panel or a box: that part is ours.
| Warning sign | What it may mean | Safe immediate step |
|---|---|---|
| Sparking outlet or switch | A loose or failing connection arcing inside the box | Do not touch or unplug anything sparking. Turn off its breaker if the panel is safe to reach. |
| Burning or hot plastic smell | Insulation or a device overheating, often out of sight | Turn off the circuit you suspect; if the smell is strong or you see smoke, leave and call 911. |
| Hot panel or hot outlet | A connection or breaker running far above its rating | Keep clear of the panel. Unplug loads from a hot outlet only if it is not sparking. |
| Power lost to part of the home | A tripped main or branch breaker, a failed connection, or a problem on the service | Check for a tripped breaker once. If nothing tripped, or it trips again, leave it off and call. |
| Downed or damaged service line | The line from the pole to the house is damaged and may be live | Stay well away, keep everyone back and call 911 and the utility. |
| Water in the panel or outlets | A flood, a roof leak or a burst pipe reaching live parts | Do not stand in water to reach the panel. If the main breaker cannot be reached dry, leave it and call. |
| Storm damage | A lightning surge, a falling limb on the line or the meter, water through the walls | Look from a distance, do not reset anything that tripped during the storm, and call for a check before switching back on. |
Safety Checklist
- Turn off the affected breakers if you can reach the panel safely, standing on a dry floor.
- Stay away from standing water anywhere near outlets, cords or the panel.
- Keep people and pets clear of the area, the panel and any fallen line.
- Call 911 for fire, smoke or downed lines, before anyone else.
- Do not reset a breaker that trips again right away.
Houston’s summer storms and the flooding that can follow them are the most common reasons for this page. After high water, treat any outlet, panel or appliance that got wet as unsafe until it has been checked.
How Urgent Is It?
Three yes-or-no questions. The answer tells you who to call first.
What Counts as an Emergency
What counts as an electrical emergency?
Fire, smoke, a downed line or anyone getting a shock: call 911. Sparks, a burning smell, a hot panel or outlet, or water near live parts: shut off what you safely can and call us. A single dead outlet or a light that flickers now and then is a repair, not an emergency.
Should I turn off the main breaker?
If something is sparking or smells hot and you can reach the panel standing on a dry floor, turning off the affected breaker, or the main, is the safe move. If the panel itself is hot, wet or smoking, do not touch it.
Half the house is dark. Is that the utility or my panel?
If the neighbors have power and you have only some, the cause is usually on your side: a tripped breaker, a failed main connection or one leg of the service. Lights that turn very bright or very dim at the same time are a sign to turn things off and call right away.
The power came back after a storm. Do I need a check?
If anything tripped and will not reset, smelled of burning, or got wet, yes. Surges can damage breakers, outlets and appliances without leaving visible marks.