Backfeeding Generator Dangers: How to Prepare for Power Outages and Recover From Storm Damage Safely

Backfeeding happens when a generator sends power backward through your home wiring into the utility’s lines. It can seriously hurt or kill line workers and neighbors. Never plug a generator into a wall outlet. A safe connection is installed by a qualified electrician.

Last checked: October 13, 2026, 3:40 AM PDT. Alerts, closures and outage maps change quickly, so use the live links in this guide before you act.

Why this matters now

Tropical Storm Rachel, later described as a post-tropical system, brought heavy rain, coastal flooding and high surf to parts of Southern California between about October 9 and 12, 2026, and its remnant moisture reached Las Vegas. San Diego County’s alert page listed Tropical Cyclone Rachel on October 9, and the City of Newport Beach declared a local emergency for it. Impacts were not the same everywhere. A KPBS report dated October 12 said San Diego crews responded to 17 downed power lines and five transformer fires over the weekend of October 10 and 11. When crews are restoring lines, backfeed from a generator puts them at risk.

What is a backfeed generator problem and why is it dangerous?

Utility lines are meant to carry power toward your home. When a generator is wired into household circuits without the right equipment, power can flow the other way. A line crew may believe a line is dead when it is not. CDC’s flooded-home guidance warns against connecting a generator to your home’s electrical circuits, and ESFI says generators should be installed by qualified electricians.

“Reminder: ESFI recommends portable generators be installed by qualified electricians.”

Safe ways to power things during an outage

1. Plug appliances directly into the generator with heavy-duty, outdoor-rated extension cords, with the generator outdoors.
2. Use GFCI protection.
3. For whole-circuit power, have a qualified electrician install a listed transfer switch or similar approved device. ESFI recommends professional installation.

Never connect a generator through a wall outlet or with a cord that has plugs on both ends. Never skip the transfer device.

Generator safety checklist before the next outage

• Decide now how you would power essentials, and whether a connection to home wiring should be installed by an electrician while conditions are calm.
• Place battery carbon monoxide alarms and test them.
• Know the rule: run generators outdoors only, at least 20 feet from doors, windows and vents (CDC).
• Charge batteries and phones in advance.
• Write down your utility’s numbers: SCE 1-800-611-1911, SDG&E 1-800-411-7343. Riverside County: (951) 358-7100.
• Take dated photos of your panel and any generator connection point.

What to do during an outage

• Check whether only your home lost power. A tripped breaker can be the cause.
• Report outages through SCE, SDG&E or NV Energy. If you see a downed line, call 911 and stay 35 feet away.
• Unplug sensitive electronics to protect them from surges.
• Do not run a generator if you cannot place it safely outdoors under proper protection.

Dealing with damaged electrical equipment afterward

1. Leave wet or damaged equipment unused. Do not reset breakers repeatedly or plug in wet appliances.
2. Stay out of standing water.
3. Report utility-side damage such as a pulled meter, service line or downed wire.
4. Have a qualified electrician inspect the system. ESFI says to keep power off in a flooded home until it has been inspected.
5. Expect decisions on what to replace and what may be reconditioned (ESFI).
6. Confirm whether your building department requires a permit or inspection before reconnection.
7. If a generator was ever connected to household wiring, tell the electrician so that connection can be checked.

Numbers to have on hand

• Emergency: fallen lines, fire, shock injury, carbon monoxide symptoms: 911
• Southern California Edison: outages and public safety hazards: 1-800-611-1911
• SDG&E: downed power lines (after 911) and outages: 1-800-411-7343
• Riverside County Emergency Management: (951) 358-7100
• Electrical Land electrical assistance line (24/7 call center): (661) 349-4879

Official resources for updates

Visit these pages for live alerts, closures and outage maps.

• NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard (Los Angeles, Orange County, Long Beach)https://www.weather.gov/lox/Live watches, warnings and advisories for the Los Angeles area.
• NWS San Diego (San Diego, parts of Orange and Riverside counties)https://www.weather.gov/sgx/Live alerts and forecasts for San Diego and nearby inland areas.
• NWS Las Vegashttps://www.weather.gov/vef/Live alerts and forecasts for Las Vegas and Clark County.
• SDG&E: power outage safetyhttps://www.sdge.com/safety/power-outage-safetyDowned line reporting and outage steps.
• Southern California Edison: report an outage or safety issuehttps://www.sce.com/outages-safety/report-outage-safety-issueReporting outages and hazards. SCE lists 1-800-611-1911 for outages and public safety hazards.
• NV Energy: outages and emergencieshttps://www.nvenergy.com/outages-and-emergenciesNV Energy’s outage and emergency section.
• San Diego County power outage guidancehttps://www.alertsandiego.org/en-us/preparedness/power-outage.htmlCounty guidance for outages.
• Riverside County power outage guidancehttps://emd.rivco.gov/disaster-preparedness/have-plan/power-outagesCounty outage preparation tips.
• CDC: Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoninghttps://www.cdc.gov/natural-disasters/psa-toolkit/prevent-carbon-monoxide-poisoning.htmlGenerator distance and CO alarm guidance.
• ESFI: Consumer Electrical Safety During Disastershttps://www.esfi.org/consumer-electrical-safety-during-disasters/Pre-storm steps, generator rules, downed line distance.
• ESFI: Water-Damaged Electrical Equipmenthttps://www.esfi.org/water-damaged-electrical-equipment/Which flooded equipment is typically replaced or reconditioned.
• Ready.gov: Power Outageshttps://www.ready.gov/power-outagesFEMA outage preparation.
• Alert RivCo (Riverside County Emergency Management)https://emd.rivco.gov/alert-rivcoSign up for county emergency alerts.
• ESFI: Flood Electrical Safetyhttps://www.esfi.org/flood-electrical-safety-high-water-high-stakes/Electrical safety before and after flooding.
• CDC: Reentering Your Flooded Homehttps://www.cdc.gov/floods/safety/reentering-your-flooded-home-safety.htmlReturning to a flooded home safely.

News reports and other sources cited

• KPBS: San Diego storm clears out, high surf and coastal flood warnings linger (October 12, 2026)https://www.kpbs.org/news/living/2026/10/12/san-diego-storm-clears-out-high-surf-and-coastal-flood-warnings-lingerNews report used for San Diego conditions, the coastal flood advisory and weekend impacts.
• AlertSanDiego: Tropical Cyclone Rachel noticehttps://www.alertsandiego.org/en-us/incident-page.1567.htmlCounty of San Diego incident page for the storm.
• City of Newport Beach: local emergency declared for Tropical Storm Rachel (October 9, 2026)https://www.newportbeachca.gov/Home/Components/News/News/44930/2720City announcement of the local emergency.

Need an electrician for storm damage?

Electrical Land’s call center is open 24/7 at (661) 349-4879. Our electricians are available specifically for storm-related electrical problems during this critical period. In the areas we serve, we aim to reach customers within minutes to a few hours, depending on your location and how many calls are ahead of yours. You can also use our contact page. This is our electrical assistance line. For fallen power lines, fire, shock injuries or carbon monoxide symptoms, call 911 first.