The Checklist: 5 Things to Do Before the Watch Becomes a Warning

When the weather alert sounds, it’s too late to start prepping. Here is the 5-step "Life Goes On" checklist—from testing the oil to clearing debris—to ensure your home and generator are ready before the storm arrives.

The Difference Between “Watch” and “Warning” is Time

In Indianapolis, we all know the drill. First comes the “Watch”—conditions are favorable for a tornado or a heavy ice accumulation. Then comes the “Warning”—it’s happening right now.

The gap between those two alerts is where safety happens. But if you wait until the sirens are sounding across Hamilton County to check your equipment, you are too late. You don’t want to be the person trying to find the generator keys in the dark or realizing the unit is out of oil while freezing rain is coating the power lines.

Here is the Generator Supercenter “Life Goes On” Checklist to run through now, while the Indiana skies are blue.

1. The “Listen” Test (Don’t Trust the Light)

Most owners look at the green light on the side of their Generac and assume everything is fine. But a green light just means the electronics are happy.

The Fix: Go outside. Open the lid. Manually switch the generator to “Run.” Listen to the engine. Does it sound smooth? Does it hunt for an idle? A rough idle now means a failed start later. (Don’t forget to switch it back to “Auto”!)

2. Check the Oil (The #1 Failure Point)

During a widespread outage in Fishers, specifically when ice takes down AES Indiana or Duke Energy infrastructure, a generator might run for 3, 4, or 5 days straight.

The Fix: Check your oil level today. More importantly, do you have a spare quart of synthetic oil and a filter kit on the shelf? If the unit runs for 100 hours straight, you will need to service it during the outage.

3. Create the “Clear Zone”

Over the winter and spring, your generator likely became a magnet for garden hoses, patio furniture, and fast-growing shrubbery.

The Fix: Clear a 3-to-5-foot radius around the unit. The engine needs to breathe intake air, and the exhaust needs to vent heat. If debris blocks the airflow, the unit will overheat and shut down to protect itself.

4. Verify Your Monitoring

Is your GenMon app connected? Did you change your home Wi-Fi password recently and forget to update the generator?

The Fix: Open the app today. Ensure it shows “Ready to Run.” If it’s offline, reconnect it now so GSC can monitor your status during the storm.

5. Secure the Sanctuary

Generators keep the power on, but you need to secure the rest.

The Fix:

Lock down patio furniture (flying debris).
Charge all handheld devices (as backups).
Download the GSC Community Survival Guide.

Need a Professional Eye?

If you performed the “Listen Test” and something didn’t sound right, do not wait. Our service trucks are already deploying across Hamilton County to prepare for the season.

You don’t have to face the threat of ice storms, tornadoes, or severe summer squalls alone. Feel free to stop by our showroom at 9001 133rd Pl for a warm cup of coffee and a chat about your setup, or give us a ring at 317-827-0808. Let’s make sure that when the weather turns, your life goes on without interruption.