Prepare the portable generator plan before a hurricane warning becomes an outage. Keep the manual, model number, fuel plan, appliance list, outdoor placement plan, and household contacts together. A generator is one part of emergency preparation, so follow local emergency instructions as well.
Review the equipment beforehand
Generac’s storm-preparation support guidance includes inspecting and maintaining the generator and checking the oil level and condition according to its maintenance schedule. Follow the manual for the exact unit rather than applying another model’s oil or service instructions. Source: Generac storm preparation.
Choose the outdoor operating plan
CDC says to keep generators outside at least 20 feet from doors, windows, and vents. Plan the location and cable route in advance. Do not move operation into a garage because conditions outside become inconvenient. See CDC generator safety advice.
Assign responsibilities
| Preparation | Question to resolve |
|---|---|
| Manual | Who has read the operating procedure? |
| Location | Where can the unit operate appropriately? |
| Loads | Which appliances are priorities? |
| Fuel | Who handles approved storage and refueling? |
| Alarm response | Does everyone know what to do? |
| Alternative | What if the generator cannot be used? |
Keep refueling in the plan
Generac advises allowing a portable generator to cool before adding fuel. Its preparation guidance also calls for approved fuel containers. Read the equipment’s shutdown and refueling instructions before the emergency; do not make uninterrupted operation the goal at the expense of those instructions. Reference: Generac preparedness guidance.
Do not wait to resolve connection questions
If the plan includes a household inlet or transfer equipment, have a qualified electrician review it before the storm. Keep the equipment identification and written operating sequence accessible. If the arrangement is not ready, use another plan rather than inventing an electrical connection during an outage.
The final preparation check
- Manual and maintenance reviewed.
- Appropriate location and cord route identified.
- Appliance priorities written down.
- Fuel handling and cooling procedure understood.
- Alarm response and emergency contacts shared.
- Another option available if conditions prevent operation.
For more detail on the location review, use the portable generator placement checklist. This article provides preparation steps, not a guarantee that generator operation will be possible during a particular storm.
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