This page covers what's specific to Tampa. For the full checklist — causes, safe checks, and repair or replace — see refrigerator repair.
Tampa at a glance
- Main appliance stress
- Hurricanes, flooding, humidity, salt air near the coast
- Hurricane season
- June 1 – November 30 (NOAA)
- Utilities
- Tampa Electric (electric), Peoples Gas (natural gas)
Recovery check after power returns
| After | Expect | If not |
|---|---|---|
| A few hours | Compressor running, temperatures falling | Check breaker and outlet |
| About a day | 40 °F fresh food, 0 °F freezer | Request a diagnosis |
Saltwater and floodwater
Act now
Saltwater corrodes electrical parts quickly. A refrigerator that sat in surge water often isn't worth repairing — but have it assessed before deciding.
Before landfall
- Set the refrigerator and freezer to their coldest settings.
- Freeze water bottles or containers to fill space.
- Put an appliance thermometer in each section.
- Close the ice maker's water valve if you evacuate.
Generators
Safety
Run portable generators outdoors only, away from doors and windows. Plug the refrigerator into the generator with a properly rated cord — never back-feed a home's wiring.
How a repair request works
- 1Call usTell us the appliance, the brand and what it's doing.
- 2Describe the problemBrand, model, symptoms, and what you've already checked.
- 3Provider reviews itThey contact you to accept and to ask anything they need.
- 4Diagnosis and quoteThe provider confirms any diagnostic fee and the repair price before work starts.
Common questions
Should I unplug my refrigerator before a hurricane?
Follow local emergency guidance. Many people leave it running on its coldest setting until the power fails. If flooding is expected and it's safe to do so, switching off power to flood-prone appliances can reduce damage.
Is it worth repairing a refrigerator after a hurricane?
If it wasn't flooded and only stopped cooling after an outage, a repair is often worthwhile. If it sat in floodwater or saltwater, damage to wiring and the compressor area often makes replacement the safer choice — have it assessed first.