Emergency Electrical Repair in Nashville, TN: What to Do

What to Do During an Electrical Emergency in Nashville

When an electrical problem turns urgent, the right first steps can protect your family, your property, and your business. In Nashville — where summer storms, aging homes, and busy commercial spaces are common — electrical emergencies can happen fast.

This guide covers what to do during an electrical emergency, what not to do, and when to call a licensed electrician.

Recognizing an Electrical Emergency

Not every electrical issue is an emergency, but these situations require immediate attention:

• Burning smell coming from outlets, switches, or your electrical panel
• Sparking from any electrical device, outlet, or panel
• Electrical shock when touching an appliance, switch, or outlet
• Buzzing or crackling sounds from walls, outlets, or the panel
• Discolored or warm outlet covers or wall plates
• Partial power loss combined with any of the above symptoms
• Water contact with electrical equipment or wiring (flooding, burst pipe)
• Downed power line on or near your property

Step-by-Step Emergency Response

Step 1: Ensure Personal Safety

• Do NOT touch any electrical equipment that is sparking, smoking, or wet
• Keep family members and pets away from the affected area
• If someone has received an electrical shock, do not touch them if they are still in contact with the electrical source — call 911 immediately

Step 2: Cut Power if Safe to Do So

• Go to your main electrical panel and switch off the main breaker
• If the panel itself is the source of sparking or burning, do NOT approach it — leave the house and call 911
• If you smell gas along with electrical issues, leave immediately and call the gas company from outside

Step 3: Address Immediate Hazards

• If there is a small electrical fire: use a Class C fire extinguisher (never water)
• If the fire is spreading: evacuate and call 911
• If water is involved: do not enter standing water that may be in contact with electrical wiring

Step 4: Contact a Licensed Electrician

• Call a licensed electrician to diagnose and repair the underlying cause
• Do NOT attempt to repair emergency electrical issues yourself
• Do NOT reset breakers that have tripped due to burning smell, sparking, or shock

What NOT to Do During an Electrical Emergency

• Do not use water on an electrical fire
• Do not touch downed power lines or anything in contact with them — call NES at 615-234-0000
• Do not ignore burning smells — even if the smell fades, the hazard may remain
• Do not repeatedly reset a tripping breaker — it is tripping for a reason
• Do not attempt DIY repairs on active electrical hazards

Common Emergency Scenarios in Nashville

Storm Damage

Nashville's severe weather can cause power surges, downed lines, and water intrusion. After a storm:

• Check your panel for tripped breakers before calling NES
• Do not touch any outdoor wiring or equipment until confirmed safe
• Have your system inspected if you experienced a direct or nearby lightning strike

Older Home Wiring Failure

Many Nashville neighborhoods (East Nashville, Germantown, Inglewood, Sylvan Park) have homes with aging wiring. Common failure modes include:

• Overloaded circuits from modern appliance loads
• Deteriorated wire insulation causing shorts
• Loose connections at outlets or panels generating heat

Panel Overload

Signs your panel is failing or overloaded:

• Frequent breaker trips
• Warm panel cover
• Discolored breakers
• Buzzing sound from the panel

After the Emergency: Next Steps

Once the immediate danger is resolved:

1. Have a licensed electrician inspect the entire affected area

2. Document the damage for your homeowner's insurance claim

3. Do not restore power to damaged circuits until they have been professionally inspected and repaired

4. Consider preventive upgrades — whole-home surge protection, panel upgrade, or dedicated circuits for high-draw appliances

Evolution Electric Emergency Service

Evolution Electric serves Nashville and Middle Tennessee homeowners with licensed, IBEW-certified electricians.

Diagnostic/service call: $150

Regular hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM | Weekends by appointment

After-hours emergency service available — call for current availability and pricing.

Call (615) 961-5930 for assistance.

Learn more about our electrical repair services →