Oklahoma gets severe storms, ice storms, power surges and, in the last decade, earthquakes. All of them can leave an appliance acting strange afterwards, and some problems are a safety issue, not just a repair. Here is what to check, what is dangerous, and when to call.
Call (539) 281-3311Areas we serveProblems that can follow an earthquake
Gas range or oven
Igniters that will not light, or a range that shifted on its gas connection. If there is any gas smell, leave and call.
Refrigerator
The unit moved and is no longer level, so doors do not seal. Water line may have shifted.
Washer and dishwasher
Shifted or loosened water hoses, which can leak slowly behind the machine.
Connections
Loose electrical plugs or cracked fittings behind appliances.
Problems that can follow a surge or outage
| Appliance | What you may see | First step |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator or freezer | Will not start, or warm after power returns | Reset breaker, unplug a minute, check temperature after a few hours |
| Oven, range or microwave | Dead display, no heat, error code | Reset breaker, unplug or turn off at breaker for a minute |
| Washer or dryer | No response, error code, will not spin or heat | Reset breaker and try a different cycle |
| Dishwasher | Will not start or latch | Reset breaker, check door latch |
What to do first
- Smell for gas before touching anything on a gas appliance.
- Check the breaker panel and reset anything that tripped.
- Unplug the appliance for a minute and plug it back in.
- Look for water, damage or shifted connections behind and under it.
- Check food in the fridge and freezer and note how long power was out.
- Call (539) 281-3311 if it still will not work or acts strangely.
Protect your appliances next time
- Use surge protection on microwaves, electronics and, where practical, for refrigerators.
- Ask an electrician about whole-home surge protection.
- Keep appliances level and water hoses secure.
- Know where your gas shutoff is and how to turn it off.
- Unplug small appliances during close lightning.
For simple checks you can try before calling, see our check-this-first guide, and for help deciding whether to repair or replace after damage, see repair or replace.
Frequently asked questions
Can an earthquake damage my oven or range?
It can. Gas igniters, connections and the position of the range can be affected by shaking. If you smell gas, leave the home and call your gas company or 911 from outside.
Why did my refrigerator stop working after a power outage?
A surge or outage can damage a control board or start components. Reset the breaker, wait a few minutes, and call if it does not restart.
Is my food safe after a power outage?
It depends on how long it stayed warm. Our storm and power outage checklist covers fridge and freezer food guidance.
Should I call for repair after a power surge?
Yes, if the appliance will not turn on, shows an error or acts strangely after you reset the breaker and unplug it for a minute.
Do surge protectors protect refrigerators and ovens?
They help with some surges, but large events can overwhelm them. Use a quality surge protector for microwaves and electronics, and ask an electrician about whole-home protection.
Why do appliances act up after a storm?
Voltage spikes and drops stress control boards and motors. Problems can show up right away or weeks later.
Appliance acting up after the storm?
Call and describe what happened. We will tell you what to check and whether a repair visit makes sense.
Call (539) 281-3311Written by the ElectricAppliance team, 2351 W Vancouver St, Broken Arrow, OK. Last updated 2026-10-19. This guide is general information, not a quote. Prices and timing depend on the appliance, the part and the fault, so call for a diagnosis.