Essential Steps to Prepare for a Blackout
Widespread power outages are more common than many people realize. Whether caused by storms, equipment failure, or grid strain - blackouts can happen anywhere and last for days or even weeks so it’s important to have a plan. A few simple preparations can help you protect your food, stay warm or cool, and keep essential devices running when the grid goes down.
An online power outage statistical report shows that during the last two decades, power outages affecting at least 50,000 customers per outage have happened in a majority of states. While some clearly struggle more than others, all states are vulnerable to long-term power outages that can wreak havoc for the unprepared.
Short-Term Power Failure
A short-term power failure is considered any loss of power that lasts a few minutes to 48 hours.
On Average
How common is a short-term outage throughout the United States?
Average outage: 8 hours
Average outage: 7 hours
Average outage: 5.5 hours
Average outage: 11 hours
Causes
Is the most common cause
Overloads the system's ability to produce
Often due to vehicle collisions or construction mishaps
Caused by lightning strikes
Long-Term Power Failure
A long-term power failure is considered any loss of power that lasts 48 hours and longer.
Recent Examples
Hurricane Helene caused widespread damage across the Southeast, leaving millions without power. At its peak, the storm knocked out electricity for nearly 6 million customers across 10 states, with over 1.2 million outages in South Carolina alone. While many households regained power within a few days, harder‑hit areas - especially rural and mountainous communities - faced extended outages lasting a week or more.
A severe winter storm caused the worst energy infrastructure failure in Texas history, affecting 4.5 million people. On February 16, more than four million customers were without power, and although many regained electricity within a few days, some households remained without power for over two weeks.
Causes
Is the most common cause
Including hurricanes, earthquakes, wildfires, and mudslides. Note: wildfires have become a recurring reason for preemptive power shutoffs, especially on the west coast
Caused by antiquated power facilities or faulty wiring
Caused by both physical and cyberattacks
Before a Power Outage Occurs
If you organize and plan now you will be able to better ride out both short and long-term power outages by following the steps below.
Food & Water
- Food: Learn how to build a food supply that will see you through a short or long term power outage.
- Water: Learn how to build a water supply that will see you through a short power outage. Be prepared for a more sustained power outage with long-term water storage
- Water Purification: During natural disasters, the city's water supply can become contaminated. Learn how to treat unsafe water should the health of the water be affected.
Alternative Fuel
- Devices & Appliances: Learn about alternative fuels that will help power appliances and devices such as fuel generators, solar generators, power stations, and other charging options.
- Cooking, Lighting, and Warmth: Learn about other alternative fuel options that will help you cook hot meals, boil water, and provide light and warmth without electricity.
Alternative Equipment
- Cooking: Make hot meals for your family - learn more about alternative cooking methods.
- Lighting: You don't have to sit in the dark - learn more alternative lighting methods to light any room or outdoor area as little or as much as you'd like.
- Warmth: You don't have to be cold - learn more about alternative heating methods you can use to stay warm.
Freezer Care
Install a Freezer Alarm: Installing a freezer thermometer with a built-in alarm is one of the best ways to protect your food during a power outage. These alarms monitor the internal temperature and alert you when it rises above safe levels (typically 0°F or higher). Battery-operated models continue to function during outages, giving you an early warning before your food starts to thaw.
Learn more about protecting your freezer during power outages.
During a Power Outage
This is when your preparedness will pay off, but there's still work to do. If you have invested a lot of money in frozen food storage, there are things you will need during the outage to make sure the frozen food does not spoil.
Freezer Care During a Power Outage
- Keep the Freezer Shut: This is the most effective passive strategy. Freezers are well-insulated and can stay cold for many hours if the door remains closed.
- Add Insulation Materials: Adding insulation can make a big difference during a prolonged outage. Wrap your freezer with thick blankets, sleeping bags, moving pads, or reflective emergency blankets to slow the loss of cold air.
- Use Backup Power: If the outage extends beyond 4–6 hours, especially when the freezer isn’t full or ambient temperatures are warm, backup power becomes critical. Learn more about backup power for your freezer.
unplugging electrical appliances
- Unplug Electrical Equipment: Unplug electrical equipment and appliances to prevent damage from potential power surges when the power is restored.
- Phone Battery: To conserve battery power, switch the phone to a power-saving setting such as airplane or economy mode.
- Test Alternative Devices & Fuel Sources: Take the time to access your choices for alternative equipment and devices. Learn what works and what doesn't so you can improve your plan for the next power outage. Are you missing anything? Keep a running list.
Check on others
- Assess Vulnerable Neighbors: If it’s safe to do so, check on your neighbors. They may not be as prepared as you are - see if you can help.
- Medical Devices and Essential Equipment: Some neighbors may rely on powered medical devices like oxygen concentrators, CPAP machines, refrigerated medications, or mobility equipment. An extended outage can put them at immediate risk. A quick check-in can help them figure out alternatives, relocate if needed, or connect with emergency services before the situation becomes critical.
- Extreme Temperatures: A power outage can turn deadly if an unprepared person is caught in extreme cold or hot temperatures during an extended power outage. This is especially true for the sick and elderly or those with special needs.
staying informed
- Use an Emergency Radio: Use an AM/PM battery-powered or hand-crank radio to stay informed about the situation.
- NOAA Weather Alert Radio: This radio is useful when severe weather or emergencies strike. Alerts are serviced by NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards (NWR) – a network that covers all 50 states.
- Follow Local Guidelines: Follow guidelines from local authorities and emergency services. They may provide instructions on where to find emergency shelters if necessary or provide other critical updates. Be sure to sign up for local emergency alerts to receive this information.
After a Power Outage
After a power outage, take time to safely return your home to normal, replace the supplies you used, and review what you learned. Even a short outage can reveal gaps in your plan, and making small improvements now can make the next outage easier to manage.
Getting back to normal
- Check for damage outside your home if the outage was caused by a storm, high winds, flooding, downed trees, or another weather event.
- Stay away from downed power lines and report them to the utility company or local authorities.
- Check your refrigerator and freezer for spoiled food before using or refreezing anything.
- If you used a generator, portable stove, heater, or other emergency equipment, turn it off safely and allow it to cool before storing it.
- Slowly reconnect equipment and appliances that were unplugged during the outage.
- Check major appliances, HVAC systems, sump pumps, garage doors, and security systems to make sure they are working properly.
- Reset digital devices such as clocks, timers, alarms, thermostats, routers, and smart-home devices.
- If the outage was long or weather-related, take photos of any damage before cleaning up in case you need them for insurance or repairs.
Restock supplies
- Restock any emergency supplies used during the outage as soon as possible.
- Replace or recharge batteries, power banks, flashlights, lanterns, and other lighting supplies.
- Refill or replace alternative fuel supplies used for cooking, heating, lighting, or generator use.
- Replace candles, matches, lighters, disposable plates, paper towels, trash bags, bottled water, or other everyday items that were used up.
- Clean, dry, and repack emergency equipment before putting it away.
- Make a note of any items you wished you had on hand but did not, and add them to your supply list.
Review your plan
- Review how well your emergency plan worked during the outage.
- Talk through what worked, what was frustrating, and what could be improved next time.
- Pay attention to gaps in lighting, cooking, heating or cooling, food storage, communication, device charging, and comfort.
- Update your family emergency plan, supply lists, and grab lists based on what you learned.
- Make improvements while the experience is still fresh so you are better prepared for the next power outage.