Getting through a long power outage after a hurricane¶

After a major storm, the power can stay out for days or even weeks. This page helps you get through a long power outage after a hurricane safely, with the biggest risks first: heat, medical needs, and carbon monoxide.

If you only do three things¶

1. Treat heat as the top danger. Drink water, stay in the shade, and know the signs of heat stroke.
2. Never run a generator, grill, or car engine indoors or in a garage.
3. Leave for a cooling center, shelter, or somewhere with power if your home gets too hot or someone needs power for medical care.

Expect a long outage¶

Utility crews work around the clock, but the damage can be widespread. Hospitals, water plants, and emergency services usually get power back first, and some streets wait much longer than others.

Plan as if the outage will last longer than you hope, and follow your utility and local officials for updates.

Heat is the biggest danger¶

A house without air conditioning heats up fast. Older adults, babies, young children, and people with health conditions are at the highest risk of heat illness.

Watch for the early signs of heat illness in yourself and others:

• Heavy sweating
• Muscle cramps
• Dizziness or weakness
• Nausea or headache

If you notice these, move to a cooler place, loosen clothing, sip water, and put cool wet cloths on the skin. Rest until the symptoms pass.

Staying cool without air conditioning¶

Use as many of these as you can.

• Drink water often, even if you do not feel thirsty
• Stay in the shadiest, lowest room of the home
• Close blinds and curtains on sunny windows during the day
• Open windows at night if it is safe and cooler outside
• Put cool wet cloths on your neck, wrists, and forehead
• Rest during the hottest part of the day and do heavy cleanup in the early morning or evening
• Use a battery powered fan if you have one

Local officials often open cooling centers during long outages. Check with your local emergency office or your local page to find one near you (in the United States, you can also call 211). Go before you feel sick.

Check on your neighbors¶

Older neighbors and people who live alone may not notice how hot their home has become. Knock at least once a day, bring water, and help them get to a cooling center. Call your local emergency number if someone seems confused or very ill.

Medical devices and medicines¶

Oxygen concentrators, home dialysis, CPAP machines, powered wheelchairs, and nebulizers all need electricity. Some medicines, such as insulin, need to stay cool.

• Use backup batteries for medical devices first, and know how long they last
• Keep medicines that need cooling in a cooler with ice, and ask your pharmacist how long they stay good
• Contact your doctor, clinic, or medical equipment supplier early if you are running low
• Go to a shelter, hospital, or place with power before backup power runs out

Our guides on planning for seniors and medical needs and the first aid kit and medications have more detail.

Food in the refrigerator and freezer¶

Keep the refrigerator and freezer closed as much as you can. Every time you open the door, cold air escapes. For how long food stays safe and what to throw out, read food and water safety after a hurricane.

Keeping phones charged¶

Your phone is your link to news, family, and help.

• Charge phones and devices from power banks first
• Charge from a car only while it is parked outdoors, never in a garage, even with the door open
• Turn on low power mode and lower the screen brightness
• Close apps you are not using and turn off Bluetooth
• Send texts instead of making calls, since texts use less battery and get through more often

A battery or hand crank radio is a good way to get news without draining your phone. See power and light supplies for more options.

Light at night¶

Use flashlights, headlamps, and battery lanterns for light. Candles start house fires after storms, and fire crews may be slow to reach you. If you must use a candle, never leave it alone, keep it away from anything that can burn, and put it out before you sleep.

Keep a flashlight by each bed. Glow sticks work well as night lights for children.

Generators¶

A generator can make a long outage much easier, but it can also kill. Read generator and carbon monoxide safety before you start one.

Downed lines and reporting outages¶

Report your outage to your utility using its outage line, website, or app, which you can find on your bill. Do not assume your neighbors already reported it.

Protect your electronics when power returns¶

Power can surge when it comes back on and damage electronics.

• Unplug computers, TVs, game systems, and chargers
• Unplug or switch off large appliances such as the washer, dryer, and window air conditioners
• Leave one lamp switched on so you know when power is back
• Wait a little while after power returns, then plug things back in one at a time

If your home flooded, do not turn the power back on until an electrician has checked it. See returning home after a hurricane.

When to leave¶

You do not have to wait it out at home. Go to a cooling center, a shelter, or a friend or family member outside the outage area if:

• Your home is too hot to stay cool, especially at night
• Someone in your home depends on power for medical needs
• Your water is out or unsafe and you cannot get more
• You are running out of food, medicine, or fuel

Check with your local emergency office to find open shelters and cooling centers (in the United States, call 211). Leave before someone gets sick.

Related guides¶

• Power, light and phone charging
• Generator and carbon monoxide safety
• Food and water safety after a hurricane
• Hurricane planning for seniors and medical needs
• After a hurricane: the first 24 hours