Prepare for a Power Grid Failure

The 2003 Northeast blackout left 55 million people without power across eight US states and parts of Canada. More recently, Winter Storm Uri in 2021 brought the Texas grid to the brink of total collapse. As extreme weather events increase and the grid ages, extended outages are becoming more common.

Without power, refrigerated food spoils within hours, heating and cooling systems stop, and communication becomes difficult. FEMA recommends preparing for at least 72 hours without electricity. A portable power station, flashlights, and a battery-powered radio form the backbone of any blackout kit.