A Family Outage Plan While Tropical Storm Isaias Develops

Hurricane news raises a practical question for Bay Area families: what would tomorrow look like without electricity? As of October 7, 2026, Isaias is a tropical storm in the Gulf with strengthening to hurricane status forecast. Check the latest NHC advisories and local alerts as conditions change.

For Bob’s customers in League City, Friendswood and Pearland, the best starting point is the family routine. Work through meals, communication, pets and a place to go if staying home becomes unsafe. Your plan remains useful even when a particular storm heads elsewhere.

Walk Through One Evening Without Power

Picture arriving home to a dark kitchen. Who has the flashlights? Where are the power banks? Can everyone find medications and the pet carrier without opening an app? Assign those jobs now and put supplies in one familiar location.

Then talk about the point at which your family would leave for a safer place. Consider the needs of young children, older relatives and anyone using medical equipment. Having that conversation ahead of time makes your generator discussion more useful: you can describe what your household needs instead of shopping around a vague promise of “whole-home power.”

Start With the People in Your Home

Put drinking water, nonperishable food, medications, flashlights, batteries and phone chargers where everyone can find them. Include pet supplies and keep important documents protected from water. Make a plan for checking in with relatives if cell service is spotty.

If anyone depends on powered medical equipment, arrange an alternate power source and a safe place to go before an outage. Follow local emergency alerts and evacuation instructions. Backup power does not make it safe to stay in a home threatened by flooding.

Give Your Home a Calm-Weather Check

While conditions are safe, bring in loose patio items and clear leaves or debris from around the outdoor AC unit. Keep drainage paths clear. Do not put a cover over an air conditioner while it is running.

Charge portable power banks and locate your electrical panel. If you have noticed flickering lights, a burning smell or breakers that repeatedly trip, have a qualified electrician investigate. A storm is no time to discover an electrical problem that was already developing.

Know What You Want Your Generator to Power

A refrigerator, a few lights and a phone charger make one list. Central air conditioning and several large appliances make a very different one. Write down your priorities before shopping for backup power.

A properly installed standby generator can restore power to the circuits it is designed to support when utility power fails. Its capabilities depend on the equipment, starting demands, fuel supply and installation. Bob’s can help you work through those details with a whole-home generator installation assessment, so you understand what a proposed system can handle.

Already have a generator? Review its maintenance schedule and operating instructions. Arrange service for warning lights, starting problems or overdue maintenance while the weather is calm. Keep the area around the unit clear according to the manufacturer’s requirements.

Keep Portable Generator Safety Simple

Portable generators need special care. The Consumer Product Safety Commission’s generator guidance explains the carbon monoxide and electrical hazards. Remember these essentials:

• Operate a portable generator outdoors, at least 20 feet from the home, with exhaust directed away from windows, doors and vents. Never run one in a garage, even with the door open.
• Use working carbon monoxide alarms in your home.
• Never plug a generator into a wall outlet. Any connection to household wiring requires properly installed transfer equipment and a qualified electrician.
• Shut the generator down and let it cool before refueling. Follow the manual for weather protection and safe use.

Generator Coupon: Free Estimates on New Installations

Thinking about backup power? Bob’s offers Free Estimates on New Whole-Home Generator Installations. Mention the coupon when scheduling and visit our specials page for the offer.

Estimates for new installs only. Some restrictions may apply. Please call for details.

After the Storm, Take Your Time

Stay away from fallen power lines and electrical equipment exposed to water. If your AC unit, generator or electrical equipment has flooded, have it inspected before restarting it. Do not enter standing water to reach a breaker panel.

A little planning now can make the next outage less confusing. For help with generator installation or an electrical concern, contact Bob’s or call (281) 941-8882. We’ll help you understand your options and take the next step for your home.