The best way to protect electronics during a hurricane is simple: back up your data, then unplug every device from wall power, phone, and network lines before the storm arrives — not during it. Unplugging is the only protection that works against a close lightning strike, and it costs nothing. Elevation and plastic sheeting handle the flood risk. Here’s the full sequence, in order.
Disconnecting power and network cables helps protect office equipment from power surges and lightning during severe storms.1. Back up first — hardware is replaceable, data isn’t
Insurance can replace a $700 computer. It cannot replace your customer records, family photos, or QuickBooks file. Before you touch a single cable, make sure a current backup exists somewhere outside the building — a cloud service or an external drive you take with you. Our guide to backing up before a hurricane covers a 30-minute version.
2. Shut down gracefully, then unplug everything
- Shut down computers and servers through the operating system — don’t just kill the power.
- Unplug the power cord from the wall (not just the device).
- Unplug network cables, phone lines, and coax — surges ride data lines around surge protectors.
- Unplug TVs, printers, routers, and anything else with a circuit board you care about.
Why unplug instead of relying on a surge protector? A standard strip surge protector handles small utility surges. A nearby lightning strike can push tens of thousands of volts through your wiring — far beyond what a $30 strip absorbs. During an active hurricane, disconnection is the only sure protection.
3. Elevate and cover against water
- Move desktops, UPS units, and power strips off the floor — flooding of even a few inches destroys anything at ground level.
- Keep devices away from windows; wind-driven rain gets past sills that never leak otherwise.
- Wrap towers, servers, and monitors in plastic bags or sheeting and tape them closed.
- If you’re in an evacuation zone, take laptops and external drives with you.
4. Protect what must stay running
Some equipment can’t be unplugged — a server that hosts your phones, medical equipment, security cameras. For those, the right protection is layered: a quality uninterruptible power supply (UPS) to bridge outages and condition power, a whole-building surge protective device at the electrical panel, and, for genuinely critical loads, generator power. We compare UPS and generator options for small businesses in a separate guide.
After the storm: power restoration is the second-most dangerous time for electronics. Grid power often comes back with surges, sags, and brownouts in the first hours. Wait for power to stabilize, plug in one device at a time, and never power on anything that got wet — see our water-damage guide before you try. If a machine won’t start after the storm, unplug it and have it looked at by a repair professional; repeatedly forcing power into damaged hardware makes recovery harder.
5. After the storm: don’t rush to plug back in
Bring equipment back online slowly and in order — network gear first, then the rest — and treat anything that got wet as off-limits until it’s been inspected dry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I unplug my computer during a hurricane?
Yes. Shut it down gracefully, then unplug power, network, and phone lines. Unplugging is the only protection that reliably stops a surge from a close lightning strike.
Do surge protectors really protect electronics?
Good surge protectors handle everyday utility surges, but a nearby lightning strike can exceed their rating. Use them year-round, and physically unplug during a hurricane or severe thunderstorm.
What electronics should be unplugged during a power outage?
Computers, TVs, routers, printers, and anything with sensitive circuit boards. Leave one lamp plugged in so you know when power returns. Refrigerators can stay connected unless flooding is expected.
Will a UPS protect my computer in a hurricane?
A UPS bridges short outages and smooths power problems, but it is not lightning protection. Use a UPS for equipment that must stay running; unplug everything else.
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MetroTech provides managed IT services, data backup & recovery, cybersecurity, and on-site business IT support across Tampa Bay. If a computer won’t start after the storm, or you want your office wired with proper surge and battery protection before the next one, visit mettec.net or contact us for a free consultation.
