What to Do If Your Lights Keep Dimming After a Tornado in St. Louis

If your lights keep dimming after a tornado, start by resetting any tripped breakers in your main electrical panel, then look for damaged wiring or fixtures, confirm with your utility provider that power lines are intact, and call a licensed electrician—such as Hoffman Brothers, who serve both St. Louis and Nashville—to diagnose and repair any hidden issues safely.

 

Why Your Lights May Dim After a Tornado

 

A tornado can shake power lines, knock branches onto equipment, and jar connections inside your home. Even if the power stays on, loose wires or partial damage often cause a drop in voltage that makes bulbs flicker or dim. The problem might be:

• Shaken connections at the breaker panel or light fixture.
• Damaged wiring hidden in walls or ceilings.
• Utility lines or transformers outside your home that suffered harm.

 

Check Your Main Electrical Panel First

 

Your main panel is the hub that distributes electricity to every circuit. If a breaker trips (switch moves to OFF or middle), it cuts power on that circuit to prevent overheating. To check:

• Open the panel door and look for switches not fully ON.
• Gently flip any tripped breaker fully OFF, then back ON.
• If a breaker trips again immediately, leave it off and proceed to call an electrician.

This simple step fixes many dimming issues caused by jolts or surges from the storm.

 

Inspect Light Fixtures and Outlets

 

Physical damage can occur inside fixtures or behind wall plates. With the power off at the panel:

• Remove and reinstall bulbs to ensure they’re tight.
• Look for burned spots, melted plastic, or loose wires in fixtures.
• Check outlet faceplates for cracks or scorching marks.

If you see exposed wires or burn marks, do not touch—call a professional.

 

Verify Utility Company Status

 

Sometimes the issue is outside your home:

• Contact your electric provider to ask about any line damage in your neighborhood.
• Report flickering or low voltage so they can inspect transformers and poles.
• Keep track of reference numbers and outage updates for your records.

A downed power line or partly failed transformer can cause ongoing dimming until it’s fully repaired.

 

Use Safe Temporary Solutions

 

While waiting for full repairs:

• Plug sensitive electronics (TVs, computers) into surge protectors.
• Avoid running high-load appliances (air conditioners, ovens) on low voltage—they can overheat or shorten their lifespan.
• Use battery-powered lamps or flashlights if lights go too dim for safe navigation.

These steps protect your devices and maintain safe visibility.

 

Document Damage for Insurance

 

If the tornado caused visible harm:

• Take clear photos of any burnt outlets, fixture damage, or wiring issues.
• Note dates and times you first noticed dimming or flickering.
• Save any utility company correspondence.

This documentation supports any claims for repairs or replacement under your homeowner’s insurance.

 

Call a Licensed Electrician for Hidden Issues

 

If breakers reset but dimming persists, you likely have wiring or connection faults hidden behind walls or in your service lines. A qualified electrician will:

• Use specialized tools (voltage meters, circuit tracers) to pinpoint problems.
• Inspect grounding and bonding to ensure electricity is safely routed.
• Repair or replace damaged wires, switches, or panels to meet code.

Companies like Hoffman Brothers in St. Louis and Nashville handle these complex jobs to restore steady power and keep your home safe.

 

Avoid DIY Electrical Repairs

 

Electricity is dangerous and hidden faults can cause shocks or fires. Never:

• Work on live wiring without proper training and equipment.
• Ignore local electrical codes—improper repairs can fail inspections or void insurance.
• Delay professional help when dimming continues after basic checks.

Hiring a licensed electrician ensures the job meets safety standards and provides warranties on work.

By following these steps—resetting breakers, inspecting fixtures, checking with your utility, using safe temporary fixes, documenting damage, and calling a licensed electrician—you’ll eliminate light dimming after a tornado and restore reliable power to your home.