Hurricane Isaias is in the Gulf, and the latest forecasts put landfall somewhere between the Mississippi coast and the western Florida Panhandle, late Friday night or early Saturday. For most of Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes, that means we are on the west side of the forecast path, which typically brings weaker conditions than the east side. Even so, generator maintenance before Isaias arrives is time well spent. Our thoughts are with our neighbors along the Mississippi and Alabama coasts who are preparing for the worst of it.
For us, the current track is not an all-clear. Forecast tracks still shift in the final 48 hours, and the storm’s wind field is expected to be large. Gusty bands, heavy rain, and scattered outages are all realistic across South Louisiana even without a direct hit. Keep an eye on the National Hurricane Center and your parish emergency office through the weekend.
For generator owners in Houma, Thibodaux, Raceland, and Morgan City, the days before the storm are a window worth using. A quick check now lets you find a problem on a calm day, not the night the power goes out.
Generator Maintenance Before Isaias: Your Checklist
Whether you own a Generac standby unit or a portable, run through these items before Friday.
- Watch a full exercise cycle. Most standby generators run a short self-test weekly. Be there for it. Listen for rough running, and check the controller for any fault codes or maintenance alerts.
- Check the oil level and condition. Low or dirty oil can cause shutdowns during long runtimes. If you cannot remember the last oil change, it is time.
- Test the battery. Batteries in South Louisiana heat wear out faster than most people expect. A battery that is three or more years old deserves a closer look.
- Look at the air filter and spark plugs. Clogged filters and worn plugs can keep a generator from reaching full output when your AC kicks on.
- Clear the enclosure. Remove leaves, grass clippings, wasp nests, and anything stored against the unit. Airflow matters.
- Confirm your fuel. Check propane levels or make sure the natural gas supply is unobstructed. For portable units, drain stale gasoline and start with fresh fuel.
If anything on this list raises a question, our team handles generator maintenance for all major brands, and we are glad to get you on the schedule before conditions turn.
Portable Generator Owners: A Quick Safety Reset
Portable generator injuries are a real risk after Louisiana storms. Keep it outside, at least 20 feet from the house, and away from windows, doors, and vents. Never run it in a garage, even with the door open, and never backfeed power through a dryer outlet. Backfeeding can energize the utility lines and seriously injure lineworkers restoring your neighborhood. If you rely on a portable generator, ask us about a properly installed inlet and interlock so you can power key circuits safely.
When the Power Comes Back
Restoration brings its own risk. Voltage spikes and surges as the grid comes back online can damage electronics, HVAC controls, and appliances. Whole home surge protection is a simple upgrade to consider before the next storm. For a deeper look at storm readiness beyond the generator itself, see our guide on preparing your home’s electrical system for storm season in South Louisiana.
Thinking About a Standby Generator?
A new standby system cannot be permitted and installed before this weekend. Once this storm passes, it may be worth considering whether a permanent system makes sense for your home. A standby generator starts on its own, runs your whole home or the circuits you choose, and does not require you to step outside in the weather. Shockwave is a Generac dealer with factory certified technicians, and our installations are turnkey from sizing to permitting to startup. Ask about our generator financing when you call.
We Are On Call Through Isaias
Shockwave Generators & Electric has someone on call 24/7, including through this weekend. If your generator fails during the storm, our emergency generator services team is a phone call away at (985) 261-0937. Before the weekend, call that same number to book generator maintenance before Isaias or a free estimate.
Stay safe, South Louisiana.
