The mornings are getting a little cooler, football season is in full swing, and it’s easy to feel like the worst of storm season is behind us. But the calendar tells a different story. Atlantic hurricane season runs through November 30, and Louisiana has learned more than once that October can still bring a serious storm.
In October 2020, Hurricane Delta and Hurricane Zeta both made landfall in Louisiana, just weeks after many people had started to relax. Zeta arrived at the end of the month and left many families in the dark. The Gulf stays warm well into the fall, and late-season storms can still form, strengthen, and find us.
At Boudreaux’s Electrical, that’s no surprise. It’s why we treat October like any other month of storm season.
An elevated Generac standby generator
A Family Business That Has Weathered These Storms with You
Boudreaux’s Electrical is family-owned. Neal and Malissa have served all of south Louisiana communities for more than 40 years, and in that time, we’ve been through more storm seasons than we can count. We live here. We’re your neighbors. When the power goes out on your street, it’s usually out on ours, too.
That shapes how we work. A family business puts its name on every job and depends on the community’s trust, not just this season but for the next 40 years. We’re not interested in selling you the biggest generator or the most expensive upgrade. We’d rather look at your home and how your family actually lives, then recommend what makes sense.
Why Late-Season Preparation Matters
Late-season storms tend to catch people off guard. The batteries and bottled water have been put away, the gas can is empty, and the news has moved on to other things. Some homeowners assume that if they made it through August and September, they’re in the clear. Meanwhile, the Gulf is still warm enough to fuel a storm, and the same power lines and tree-lined streets are just as exposed as they were in July.
Most people think about generators in June, when storm coverage fills the news. By then, everyone else is thinking about them too. Installation schedules fill up, supplies tighten, and homeowners who wait until a storm is in the Gulf often find it’s too late to get anything installed.
Right now, there’s still time to do it right. You can get a clear assessment, ask all your questions, and schedule work without a forecast cone hanging over your head.
A Late-Season Checklist to Start With
Whether you’re thinking about a generator or just want to be better prepared, here’s where we’d start:
- Decide what you can’t live without. Refrigerator and freezer, heat or air conditioning, sump pump, medical equipment, lights, internet. Writing it down shows how much power you need, and that drives generator size.
- Have your electrical panel checked. A standby generator ties into your home through your panel and a transfer switch. Older or crowded panels sometimes need an upgrade before a generator can be connected safely. It’s one of the first things we look at.
- If you already own a generator, test it. Start it, run it under load, and check the fuel, oil, and battery. A generator that sat all summer may not start when you need it most.
- Plan your fuel. Portable units rely on gasoline you have to store and refresh. Standby units run on natural gas or propane. Know your plan before a storm, not during one.
- Know the safety basics. Never run a generator indoors, in a garage, or near windows, doors, or vents. Carbon monoxide is silent and deadly. And never plug a generator into a wall outlet. Back feeding can endanger utility workers and your family. Only a transfer switch installed by a qualified electrician should connect a generator to your home’s wiring.
Standby Power Without the Scramble
Our work centers on two things: electrical panel upgrades and Generac generator installation. They go hand in hand. A standby generator starts on its own when utility power drops, keeping your lights, refrigerator, and essential circuits running while the neighborhood goes dark. But a generator is only as good as the electrical system behind it. That’s why we look at the whole picture, including your panel, your power needs, and your fuel source, not just the generator itself.
A clean install with no piping on the wall
Work With a Local Family
When you call Boudreaux’s Electrical, you’re working with a local family that has served this community for over 40 years. We’ll explain your options in plain language, answer your questions honestly, and help you decide whether now is the right time. If a generator isn’t what you need, we’ll tell you that.
Don’t Wait for the Forecast
Hurricane season doesn’t end early because we’re ready for it to. It runs through November 30, and a little preparation now can mean the difference between a few uncomfortable hours and a long stretch without power.
Ready to talk? Schedule a FREE site assessment and In-Home Consultation with Boudreaux’s Electrical by calling (985) 397-1562 or (225) 300-9389 or visiting boudreauxselectrical.com. We’d be glad to help you get ready.
Check Us Out and Stay Connected
Ready for a free quote or generator maintenance? Use our online request form. You can also look us up on the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors website, follow us on Facebook, and if we have worked with your family, leave us a Google review (review page 1 | review page 2).