Hurricane season runs from June through November, and the time to prepare your electrical system is before a storm is in the forecast. A few upgrades and checks go a long way toward protecting your home and your electronics.
Install whole-home surge protection. Lightning and the surges that come when grid power is restored can destroy AC boards, appliances, and electronics. A surge protective device at the panel covers everything connected to it, as long as your grounding system is sound.
Check your grounding. Corroded or missing ground rods are common in older homes, and without a good path to ground, surge protection can't do its job. An inspection can confirm your grounding and bonding are in good shape.
If you use a portable generator, never plug it into a wall outlet. Backfeeding can injure utility workers and damage your system. A properly installed transfer switch or interlock lets you power selected circuits safely.
After a storm, stay away from downed lines and don't reset breakers on circuits that got wet. If water reached outlets, the panel, or outdoor equipment, have them checked before restoring power. Partial outages or flickering after the grid comes back are worth a call, too.