October and November can bring strong storms, high winds, and the first icy weather to Middle Tennessee. A little preparation now can make a power outage feel less stressful and help you spot home repairs before bad weather arrives.
Fix It Quick Network connects homeowners, realtors, property managers, and investors with vetted local pros. The Network is a referral service, not a repair crew. Here’s what to check around your Clarksville home or rental before the weather turns.
1. Check the outside before the next storm
Start with a safe walk around the property on a dry day. Look for loose items that could blow around, gutters packed with leaves, and downspouts that empty beside the foundation. A downspout running straight into a low spot can leave the soil soggy and push water toward the house.
Notice small trouble spots, too. A hairline crack in the garage slab may be worth documenting, especially if water pools nearby. Don’t climb onto the roof or approach a damaged tree to check it. If a limb looks unstable or is near a power line, keep clear and contact the right specialist.
If rain already leaves damp areas indoors, compare your notes with our fall basement moisture checks. For gaps around exterior trim and openings, see the fall caulking and sealing checks.
2. Make a simple outage kit
Keep the basics together where everyone in the household can find them. You don’t need a complicated setup. A flashlight is easier and safer than searching for candles in the dark.
Include a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, spare batteries, phone power banks, drinking water, shelf-stable food, prescription medicine, warm layers, and supplies for children or pets. Ready.gov recommends keeping refrigerator and freezer doors closed during an outage. A refrigerator generally stays cold for about four hours if it remains shut.
Check smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, including their batteries. Make a plan for any medical equipment or refrigerated medicine that depends on electricity. If someone in the home relies on powered medical equipment, ask their care provider about backup options before an outage.
3. Know what to do if power goes out
If the power fails, first check whether nearby homes are also dark. If it appears to affect only your home, CDE Lightband advises checking the breakers or fuses. Report an outage to CDE Lightband at 931-648-8151, and follow its instructions. After reporting, repeated calls aren’t needed unless service still hasn’t returned.
Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed. Turn off heating and cooling equipment and major appliances during the outage, and leave one light on so you’ll know when power is back. Treat downed wires as live, even if they look harmless. Stay well away and call 911 if there’s immediate danger.
Never run a generator, grill, camp stove, or fuel-burning heater inside a home, garage, or attached space. Ready.gov advises keeping generators outdoors at least 20 feet from doors, windows, and attached garages. Connecting a generator to household wiring requires proper equipment and a licensed electrician. Generator installation, panel upgrades, and major electrical work should be handled by a licensed electrician in the Network, not by the Network itself.
4. Prepare the property for the people who rely on it
A few checks can help owners, renters, and real estate professionals avoid scrambling after a storm. For a Clarksville homeowner, that may mean keeping the outage kit accessible and noting any existing leaks. A realtor can add visible storm-related repairs to pre-listing or post-inspection planning. Our pre-listing repair checklist can help organize those items.
Property managers can record the location of shutoffs and electrical panels, document existing damage, and leave tenants clear outage instructions. An illustrative example is a rental in Sango where a tenant reports water near the basement wall after heavy rain. The manager’s dated photo of the downspout and damp area helps direct the next check, rather than leaving the tenant and owner guessing.
For investors managing several homes across Montgomery County, St. Bethlehem, Woodlawn, or near Fort Campbell, keep a brief readiness list for each address. Note which homes have a sump pump, any known leaks, and repairs that need a local pro. If a sump pit has no battery backup, record that as a planning item and ask a qualified pro about suitable options.
5. Sort repairs by safety and weather exposure
Start with issues that could let water in, create a safety concern, or leave a home hard to use. Loose exterior parts, a leaking ceiling, drainage problems, or a faulty entry door may deserve attention before cosmetic updates. You don’t need to solve every item at once. Take a photo, note the address and location, and prioritize.
For a small repair, general costs may start in the low hundreds. The total can rise with access, materials, hidden damage, or several repairs at one property. Larger roof, structural, or major electrical work needs the appropriate specialist. The pros in the Fix It Quick Network are licensed and insured, and the Network can help connect you with a local pro for suitable home repairs.
6. Frequently asked questions
What should I keep ready for a power outage?
Keep flashlights, batteries, a radio, charged power banks, drinking water, basic food, needed medicine, and warm clothing in one easy-to-find spot. Add any supplies specific to your household.
How do I report a power outage in Clarksville?
CDE Lightband lists 931-648-8151 for outage reports. Follow the prompts to verify the service location, and check CDE’s outage information for updates.
Is it safe to use a generator in a garage with the door open?
No. Use a generator outdoors, at least 20 feet from doors, windows, and attached garages. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and keep working carbon monoxide alarms in the home.
Should I unplug appliances during an outage?
Turn off or unplug sensitive electronics and appliances if it’s safe to do so. Turn off major equipment during the outage and leave one light on to show when power returns.
What should rental owners document before a storm?
Record visible leaks, drainage problems, known damage, and the locations of key shutoffs and panels. Share practical outage instructions with tenants, too.
When should I get matched with a pro?
Get help for repairs involving unsafe access, recurring leaks, damaged exterior parts, or electrical work beyond basic breaker checks. Major roof, structural, generator, and panel work should go to the right specialist.
If you’d like help with storm-related home repairs or a rental readiness list, call or text (615) 716-3318, or request a free match. Start by noting the property address and the first repair you want checked.