Storm Recovery Checklist for Daphne After Tropical Storm Bertha

Tropical Storm Bertha Has Moved Through — Here’s What Baldwin County Homeowners Should Check Now

Tropical Storm Bertha has already brought storm surge and heavy rain to the Alabama coast on its way toward Louisiana and Texas. Communities throughout Baldwin County — from Daphne and Fairhope to Spanish Fort, Silverhill, Loxley, Malbis, and the Gulf Shores area — may have seen impacts from surge, rain, or power fluctuations. Even if the worst has passed, it’s worth checking your AC system, electrical panel, and plumbing now, and using the rest of hurricane season to get ahead of the next system.

Here’s a room-by-room guide to checking your home after this storm, plus how to schedule an inspection with our team.

Check Your AC & HVAC System After the Storm

Outdoor AC units are exposed to wind, flying debris, and flooding during coastal storms. Power surges from grid fluctuations are also one of the most common causes of AC failure during and after a storm.

• If your unit lost power or sat in standing water, don’t restart it until you’ve confirmed everything is dry and the power supply is stable.
• Clear away any debris that blew in around the outdoor condenser unit.
• Listen and watch for unusual noises, leaks, or reduced airflow when you do restart the system — these can signal storm-related damage.
• For the next system, turning off your AC at the breaker ahead of time protects the compressor from power surges when electricity is restored.

Electrical Safety & Backup Generators

Storm-related power surges and extended outages are one of the biggest risks to a Baldwin County home during hurricane season. If your power flickered or went out with this storm, it’s a good reminder to get ahead of the next one.

• Have your electrical panel inspected for any wear or loose connections that may have been stressed during this storm.
• Consider a whole home generator so essential systems — refrigeration, sump pumps, medical equipment, and lighting — keep running through the next extended outage.
• Keep flashlights, batteries, and a charged phone power bank on hand for the rest of hurricane season.

Current offers: Save up to $1,700 off a new whole home generator installation, or take advantage of $0 down, 0% interest financing for up to 60 months on select Generac generator installations.

Generator discount applies to qualifying whole home generator installations only. Financing subject to approved credit; available on select Generac generator installations only. Offers cannot be combined with each other or other discounts. Restrictions may apply — call for details.

Plumbing & Sewer Precautions for Heavy Rain and Storm Surge

Heavy rainfall and storm surge can overwhelm municipal sewer systems in low-lying areas near Mobile Bay, pushing wastewater back into homes if backflow protection isn’t in place.

• Check for backflow issues or signs of sewer surcharging if your area saw heavy rain or surge from this storm.
• Check that your sump pump (if you have one) worked properly during the storm and consider a battery backup for the next outage.
• Clear gutters, downspouts, and yard drains so rainwater keeps moving away from your foundation.
• Know the location of your main water shut-off valve in case future flooding affects your plumbing lines.

Schedule an Inspection

The best time to catch a stressed AC unit, an aging electrical panel, or a backflow issue is right after a storm — before the next one arrives. Baldwin Cooling, Heating, Plumbing & Electrical can inspect all three systems in one visit and get any needed protection installed before the rest of hurricane season.

Call (251) 286-5378 to schedule an inspection after Tropical Storm Bertha. Our team can check your AC unit, electrical panel, and plumbing system, and walk you through current generator offers so you’re ready before the next storm.