Did you know that the number one disaster type is power outages! Statistically U.S. electricity customers experienced 1.42 outages every year. There were 5.5 hours of electricity interruptions in 2022 per household and that number is increasing four years later!

Need more proof that the power outage disaster type is getting worse? Check out these recent headlines:

• “Weather-triggered power outages have doubled since the early 2000’s.”
• “80% of power outages are weather related.”
• “The Midwest is at great risk this summer (2026) for rolling blackouts.”
• “Power outage leaves millions in the dark!”
• “Fear, anger as thousands remain without power.”

The U.S.’s aging infrastructure, a warmer and more volatile climate and supersized storms require everyone to have a Plan B to keep the lights on. With power outages increasing in frequency and duration, a typical family needs to prepare for future power outages. The most common inconveniences of power outages are no lighting, no warmth, no cooling, limited food availability, loss of technology and entertainment and power surges that can destroy your appliances after the power suddenly comes back on.

Planning for future power outages come in many flavors. Families have a choice of having a minimal Plan A, a more robust Plan B, and in some cases, an extensive (but more expensive) Plan C. A Plan A power outage strategy assumes that the power outage won’t last too long and therefore requires minimal resources in place: water, food in the pantry that doesn’t require heating or a microwave, flashlights (and batteries), etc. A Plan B power outage strategy includes knowing what ‘first actions’ to take when a power outage happens, what safety steps to take during the outage and the dangers and risks to avoid when the power comes back on. This power outage strategy (Plan B) is the premise of our Power Outage Preparedness Tiny Course and the tactics are fully explained in this inexpensive Tiny Course accessible here: https://family-preparedness.com/what-could-go-wrong/power-outages/. Plan C is a power outage preparedness plan that may involve more planning, more resources and more expense. It includes having additional resources in place such as: solar panels, generators and battery backups.

The https://family-preparedness.com website has a number of resources to help a family develop a power outage safety plan. On our power outage website page there is a simple 10-question power outage quiz that will help you determine how prepared your family is for the next power outage incident – and know, as the statistics show, there will be a next power outage incident. In addition, you can find additional advice and resources for power outages on such websites as hosted by the American Red Cross, Emergency Zone, Ready.gov and products from Eternalight, Blackout Buddy (American Red Cross product) and Sun Kettle.

Do you want to get serious about surviving or tolerating a power outage? We suggest your family try’s a no-power day and night! Turn off all the lights, unplug all electronics and appliances (except your fridge and freezer), and see what you wish you had. That’s one way to verify your readiness. Otherwise check out the tiny course we’ve created, our power outage website page and the additional resources in this post for more information. In addition, our Shelter in Place Tiny Course and website page provides additional information about weathering other disasters in addition to power outage disasters. This is one of those disasters where you are a victim of an outage or a family that ‘gets through’ a power outage, because as we’ve said before, “It’s going to happen – guaranteed!”