Generator Storm Preparation Checklist
A storm-season checklist for your generator — fuel, oil, the transfer switch, safe placement and carbon-monoxide safety — so your backup power is ready before the outage hits.
A storm is the worst possible moment to discover your generator won’t start or the tank is empty. A little preparation before the season — or before a forecast outage — means your backup power just works when the lights go out. Here’s the checklist.
Before-the-storm checklist
- Test-start it. Run the generator for a few minutes to confirm it starts and runs smoothly.
- Check the oil and change it if it’s due — an outage can last longer than you expect.
- Stock fuel. Fresh, stabilized gasoline in approved containers, or full propane tanks. (A natural-gas standby needs none.)
- Verify the transfer switch or interlock, and confirm your essential circuits come on.
- Locate your gear: heavy-duty outdoor extension cords, a funnel, and a working carbon-monoxide alarm.
- Know your loads. Have a plan for what you’ll run — the sizing calculator shows what your generator covers.
Carbon-monoxide safety — the one that matters most
Run a portable generator outdoors only, on dry, level ground, at least 20 feet from the house, with the exhaust pointed away from doors, windows and vents. Never run it in a garage, carport or any enclosed space — even with the door open. Keep a battery carbon-monoxide alarm indoors. This is the single most important rule of generator safety.
How much fuel to store
Many portables burn about 0.5–0.75 gallons of gas per hour at half load. A 3-day outage running the generator 12 hours a day could use roughly 18–27 gallons — so plan storage accordingly, keep fuel stabilized, and refuel only when the unit is off and cool.
Keep it dependable year-round with the maintenance guide, and if you’re tired of refueling in a storm, compare hands-off whole house standby generators.
Never run a generator indoors or in a garage. Follow your owner manual and local codes; a permanent standby install must be done by licensed trades.
Frequently asked questions
How do I prepare my generator for a storm?
Before storm season: run the generator to confirm it starts, change the oil if it’s due, stock fresh stabilized fuel or full propane, check the transfer switch or interlock, and test that your essential circuits come on. Keep the generator, extension cords and a CO alarm accessible. Do this ahead of time — a storm is the worst moment to discover a no-start or an empty tank.
Where should I place a generator during a storm?
Always run a portable generator outdoors, on dry, level ground, at least 20 feet from the house with the exhaust pointed away from doors, windows and vents — never in a garage, carport or enclosed space, even with the door open. Keep it out of the rain under an open, ventilated cover made for generators. A standby generator is permanently and safely sited during installation.
How much fuel should I store for a generator?
Estimate your run time and multiply by hourly fuel use: many portables burn about 0.5–0.75 gallons of gas per hour at half load, so a 3-day outage running 12 hours a day could need 18–27 gallons. Store gasoline in approved containers with stabilizer, or keep propane tanks that don’t go stale. A natural-gas standby draws from your utility line and needs no stored fuel.