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Experts explain how to protect your breakers in the event of storms, major flooding

Here are some areas of your home to start thinking about as hurricane season officially starts on Saturday.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — As we near the first official day of hurricane season, protecting your home's electrical framework has probably crossed your mind.

A significant part of your home's setup involves your electrical breakers. Scott Smith with Smith and Jones Electric says there's one problematic combination you need to look out for. 

"Water and electricity do not mix well," Smith said. 

He said it's also a combination he's all too familiar with, especially when hurricane season comes around. He said that in the event of a storm or major flooding there are some things to look out for.

"Turn off the main circuit breaker because water is a great conductor, particularly salt water, it's going to allow water to flow in places where it was never intended to flow," Smith said. 

He said the chain reaction that is produced when that happens isn't one you want to be around for. 

"It can cause short circuits, which can cause arcing, which can cause fires," Smith said. 

AEP Texas' Omar Lopez said when it comes to protecting your home's electrical framework, there are a few things you need to keep in mind before you turn your power back on.

"When the power does comes back on the last thing we want is another situation where there is a huge surge of power on a circuit or in a neighborhood," Lopez said. 

In the event families need to evacuate for a storm, Lopez said that when they return, it's best to turn on their electrical appliances slowly. 

"Power comes back on, turn them on one by one, it's going to keep your home and appliances a little safer, but it's also going to be better for the overall circuit when we turn it back on," he said. 

Smith has weathered a couple of storms here in our area. He said that once water has made its way in, you're looking at a fat bill.

"Depending on the square footage of your home it could be an excess of $20-30,000," he said.

Smith added that another strategy he recommends is getting as many of your appliances out of the house as possible to better safeguard against electrical damage.

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