What to Do During a Power Outage: Complete 2026 Guide

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This post contains affiliate links. I earn a small commission if you buy through my links, at no extra cost to you. I only recommend gear I have personally tested.

My longest power outage lasted 9 days.

Day one felt like a camping adventure. Day three felt like a logistics problem. Day seven felt like a test of everything I thought I knew about being prepared.

I made mistakes. I opened the refrigerator too many times. I ran my first generator too close to the house. I didn’t have enough cash when the ATMs went offline. I learned every lesson the hard way so you don’t have to.

This guide covers exactly what to do at each stage of a power outage — from the first 10 minutes to day seven and beyond.

⏰ The First 10 Minutes

1. Don’t panic — confirm the scope

Before doing anything else, figure out whether the outage is just your home or your entire neighborhood.

• Check if your neighbors have power (look for lights)
• If only your home: check your circuit breaker box — a tripped main breaker is the most common cause
• If your neighborhood is dark: report the outage to your utility company via their app or phone number (save this number in your phone now, before an outage)

2. Get your flashlights immediately

Do not fumble around in the dark. Your emergency flashlights should be in a known location — not in a drawer somewhere. LED headlamps are best: hands-free, bright, long battery life.

3. Unplug sensitive electronics

Before power returns — which often happens with a surge — unplug computers, TVs, and other sensitive electronics. Power surges during restoration can fry unprotected devices. Leave one lamp plugged in so you know when power returns.

4. Do NOT open the refrigerator

This is the most important rule of power outage food safety. A closed refrigerator keeps food safe for 4 hours. Every time you open it, you lose 30–60 minutes of that window. Decide now what you need from it, get it all at once, and keep it closed.

5. Check your phone battery

Put your phone on low power mode immediately. You don’t know how long the outage will last — conserve battery from minute one.

⚡ The First Hour

Assess the likely duration

Short outages (under 4 hours) require minimal action beyond flashlights and unplugging electronics. Long outages require activating your full emergency plan.

Signs the outage will be long:

• Major storm just passed
• Utility company reports “widespread damage” or “multiple days” to restore
• No estimated restoration time given
• Downed power lines visible in your neighborhood

Deploy your backup power

If you have a solar generator or power station:

• Set it up in a well-ventilated area (solar generators are safe indoors — gas generators are not)
• Prioritize what you plug in: medical devices first, refrigerator second, phone charging third
• Connect your solar panel if daylight is available — start recharging immediately

What I measured with a Kill A Watt meter:

• 18 cu ft refrigerator: 150W running, 400W startup surge
• Box fan (medium): 55W
• CPAP machine: 30–60W depending on pressure setting
• Phone charging: 5–20W
• LED lamp: 8W

A 1,000Wh solar generator running a refrigerator (150W average) will last approximately 6–7 hours. Add a 200W solar panel and you can run the refrigerator indefinitely during daylight hours.

👉 See which solar generators I recommend for power outages →

🏆 Quick Comparison: Best Solar Generators for Power Outages

Activate your communication plan

• Text (not call) family members to confirm everyone is safe — texts go through when call networks are congested
• Check your battery-powered or hand-crank NOAA radio for weather and emergency updates
• If the outage is storm-related, monitor for evacuation orders

⏳ Hours 1–4: The Decision Window

At the 4-hour mark, your refrigerator food is approaching the safety limit. This is your decision point.

Option A: You have ice or a cooler

Transfer the most perishable items (meat, dairy, leftovers) to a cooler with ice. A good cooler with sufficient ice extends food safety by 24–48 hours.

Option B: You have a solar generator

Run the refrigerator on backup power. At 150W average draw, a 1,000Wh battery runs it for 6–7 hours. With solar recharging during the day, you can keep the refrigerator running indefinitely.

Option C: No ice, no backup power

After 4 hours, move non-perishable items out and mentally write off the perishables. Eat what you can now. For a detailed breakdown of which foods survive and for how long, see how long does food last in the fridge without power.

🏠 Day 1: Settling In

If the outage extends past several hours, shift your mindset from inconvenience to management.

Food management

• Cook and eat perishables first — use your gas stove (works without power), camp stove, or grill outdoors
• Transition to shelf-stable foods: canned goods, peanut butter, crackers, granola bars
• Do not use charcoal grills or gas grills indoors — carbon monoxide poisoning is the leading cause of non-storm hurricane deaths

Water management

• Municipal water usually continues during power outages — but not always
• If you’re on a well pump: your pump is electric and will not work without backup power. A 1,000Wh+ solar generator can run most well pumps.
• Fill bathtubs and large containers as a precaution while water pressure is still normal

Staying cool or warm

• In summer heat: close blinds and curtains to block solar heat, use battery-powered fans, wet a towel and drape over yourself, stay on the lowest floor (heat rises)
• In winter cold: layer clothing, close off rooms you’re not using, use sleeping bags rated for lower temperatures than the forecast

Lighting strategy

• Use headlamps for active tasks
• Use battery-powered lanterns for ambient lighting in common areas
• Conserve batteries — turn off lights when not in the room
• Avoid candles if possible — they’re a fire hazard in stressed conditions

📅 Days 2–3: Managing the Extended Outage

Power conservation

If you’re running a solar generator:

• Prioritize in this order: medical devices → refrigerator → phone/device charging → fans/lighting
• Recharge the generator during peak solar hours (10am–2pm)
• At night, disconnect non-essential loads to extend battery life

Staying informed

• Check battery-powered radio every few hours for utility restoration updates
• Register your address on your utility’s outage map if not already
• Contact your utility for medical baseline status if you have powered medical equipment — this can prioritize your restoration

Community and safety

• Check on elderly neighbors — heat and cold are dangerous for older adults during extended outages
• Do not leave candles unattended
• Keep vehicles locked — crime increases during extended blackouts
• If you have a medical emergency, call 911 — emergency services continue to operate

🛡️ Days 4–7: Long-Term Outage Survival

At this point, the outage is a major event. Utility crews are working but damage is extensive.

Food strategy

• Your refrigerator food is gone unless you’ve been running backup power
• You’re living on shelf-stable food — this is why a 7-day emergency food supply matters
• If you’re running low, emergency food distribution points usually open within 48–72 hours of a major disaster

Power strategy

• Solar generator with daily recharging is your best asset
• Run appliances in shifts: refrigerator during the day while solar is charging, medical devices at night from stored battery
• If you need fuel for a gas generator, call ahead to stations — lines are long and stock is limited

Mental health

Day four is when outages stop feeling manageable and start feeling exhausting. This is normal.

• Maintain routines where possible — regular meal times, sleep schedules
• Limit news consumption to twice daily — continuous monitoring increases stress without improving outcomes
• The outage will end. Utilities work around the clock after major events.

⛔ What NOT to Do During a Power Outage

These mistakes cost people money, health, and in worst cases, their lives:

❌ Never run a gas generator indoors or in a garage — carbon monoxide is odorless and fatal within minutes. Keep generators at least 20 feet from any window or door.

❌ Never use a gas stove or oven for heat — carbon monoxide risk.

❌ Never touch downed power lines — assume all lines are live.

❌ Never drive through flooded roads — 6 inches of moving water can knock you down, 12 inches can float a car.

❌ Never leave candles unattended — house fires after disasters are tragically common.

❌ Never assume the outage is short — prepare for 7 days minimum and be pleasantly surprised if it’s shorter.

🎒 Power Outage Kit — What You Actually Need

Based on my 9-day outage experience, here’s what made the difference:

Non-negotiable:

• Solar generator 1,000Wh+ with solar panel (runs refrigerator + medical devices)
• 3× LED headlamps with extra batteries
• 7-day food supply (no refrigeration required)
• 14 gallons of water per person
• Battery-powered NOAA radio
• 2× 20,000mAh power banks

Highly recommended:

• Manual can opener (two — they break)
• Camp stove with fuel canisters (for cooking)
• Cash ($300+ in small bills)
• Cooler with ice for first 24–48 hours

For the complete kit list with exact products and watt measurements, the 72-Hour Power Outage Survival Kit has everything in one printable document.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What is the first thing you should do in a power outage?

The first thing is to locate your flashlights and confirm the scope of the outage — check if neighbors have power and whether it’s just your home or a wider area. Then unplug sensitive electronics to protect them from power surges when electricity returns. Do not open the refrigerator — every opening costs you 30–60 minutes of food safety time.

How long does food last in the fridge during a power outage?

A closed refrigerator keeps food safe for 4 hours. A full freezer maintains safe temperature for 48 hours; a half-full freezer for 24 hours. The key is keeping the door closed. After 4 hours without power, move the most perishable items to a cooler with ice or begin consuming them. See the full food safety guide for a complete breakdown by food type.

Is it safe to use a gas stove during a power outage?

Yes — gas stoves work without electricity for cooking. However, never use a gas stove for heating your home — this creates carbon monoxide risk. Also, some gas stoves with electronic ignition require a manual light with a match or lighter during an outage. Check your stove model before you need this information.

Can I run my refrigerator on a solar generator during a power outage?

Yes. A standard 18 cu ft refrigerator draws approximately 150W running (400W startup surge). A 1,000Wh solar generator can run it for 6–7 hours on a full charge. Paired with a 200W solar panel, you can keep a refrigerator running indefinitely during daylight hours by recharging while the sun is up. This is my tested setup for hurricane season.

How do I keep my house cool during a summer power outage?

Close all blinds and curtains to block solar heat gain. Use battery-powered fans — a box fan on medium draws about 55W and runs for hours on a power bank. Stay on the lowest floor. Wear light, loose clothing. Wet a towel and place it around your neck. In extreme heat, identify cooling centers in your area — most municipalities open them during extended summer outages.

What happens to well water during a power outage?

If you’re on a municipal water supply, water usually continues during a power outage. If you’re on a private well, your electric pump will not work without backup power. A 1,000Wh+ solar generator can run most residential well pumps (typically 750W–1,500W). If you’re on well water, fill bathtubs and large containers immediately when an outage begins.

How do I report a power outage?

Contact your utility company directly via their app, website, or phone number. Most major utilities have outage maps where you can report and track restoration. Save your utility’s outage reporting number in your phone before an emergency — during a widespread outage, websites are often slow or unavailable and the phone number is your most reliable option.

How long do power outages last after a hurricane?

The average power outage duration after a major hurricane (Category 3+) is 8–12 days in the hardest-hit areas, and 2–5 days in areas with moderate damage. After Hurricane Irma in 2017, some Florida customers were without power for 3 weeks. Plan for a minimum of 7 days of backup power capacity, not the FEMA-recommended 72 hours.

Ethan Reynolds has spent 73 days field-testing solar generators and emergency power systems. All equipment reviewed was purchased with his own money. Last updated June 2026.