Weatherhead or Meter Box Damage After a Storm: Who to Call
Handle a storm-damaged weatherhead, mast, or meter box as an energized hazard and coordinate the utility, electrician, inspection, and reconnection.
Weatherhead or Meter Box Damage After a Storm: Who to Call
If a storm pulls the weatherhead, service mast, conduit, attachment hardware, or meter box away from the house, keep everyone back, report the outage to the electric utility, and call a licensed electrician. Do not touch the equipment even when the neighborhood is dark. Utility crews often cannot reconnect power until customer-owned equipment is repaired and, where required, inspected.
Treat the service entrance as energized
The overhead wire approaching a home may connect to a weatherhead at the top of a mast or conduit, then continue toward the meter. A branch can damage this assembly without dropping every wire to the ground. The absence of lights indoors does not prove that the service entrance is de-energized.
Keep people and pets away from loose wires, a tilted mast, a meter socket pulled from the wall, scorch marks, or metal siding in contact with electrical equipment. Do not prop the box up, cover it with a tarp, trim the branch, or examine it from a ladder. Call 911 for an immediate electrical hazard and report the damaged service to the utility through its official outage channel.
If a line is on the ground, use the same precautions described in HomeCo's guide to backing away from a downed power line. Shuffle away with small steps if you are already close, and never drive over or move the line.
Separate utility work from homeowner repairs
Ownership boundaries vary, so ask your own utility instead of assuming the pole-to-house wire settles the entire question. The utility commonly owns its service line and meter, while the property owner may be responsible for the weatherhead, mast or riser, attachment hardware, meter enclosure, and building wiring.
Duke Energy's meter and service connection damage guide illustrates this split for its Florida residential customers. It says Duke maintains the service line and meter, while the customer maintains the weatherhead, attachment hardware, riser, and meter box. The guide also warns customers to assume damaged components are energized and notes that a county inspection may be required before reconnection.
Call a licensed electrician and describe what is visibly displaced without approaching it. Ask whether the electrician coordinates permits and inspection, whether the utility must disconnect or make the site safe first, and what proof of approval the utility needs. Renters should notify the property owner or emergency maintenance line immediately and preserve photos taken only from a safe distance.
Build a clean path to reconnection
Track the outage report number, electrician's work order, permit, inspection approval, and utility reconnection request as separate steps. “Repair complete” does not necessarily mean “ready to energize.” A missed inspection or unreported completion can leave the address out of the restoration queue.
Before power returns, unplug sensitive electronics if it is safe to do so and turn off large loads according to utility guidance. Do not enter a wet area or approach a damaged panel to switch breakers. After reconnection, stop and report persistent flickering, burning smells, buzzing, hot receptacles, or partial power. Those signs need professional assessment, not repeated breaker resets.
How HomeCo Helps
Create a HomeCo incident checklist with one owner for each handoff: utility hazard report, landlord notice, electrician, permit or inspection, and reconnection. Store case numbers and appointment windows so housemates do not open duplicate requests or mistakenly cancel active work.
Add a final room-by-room check after the utility confirms restoration. Record only observable results, such as “kitchen lights working” or “bedroom outlet still off.” Do not assign unqualified housemates to inspect service equipment or remove electrical covers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I tape a loose meter box to the wall until the electrician arrives?
No. Stay away and treat the box and nearby metal as energized. Temporary support, tarps, ladders, and hand tools can put you in the electrical path.
Will the utility repair everything attached to the house?
Not necessarily. Responsibility depends on the utility's service rules and local code. Ask the utility to identify its ownership point, then use a licensed electrician for customer-owned equipment.
Why is an electrical inspection needed after the repair?
A local authority may require proof that customer-owned service equipment complies with code before the utility reconnects it. The electrician and utility can tell you which approval applies at the address.