Power Outage Prepping

Power Outage Prepping for Extended Electricity Needs

Here's the basic summary, store supplies and take necessary actions in-order-to meet electrical needs for extended outage periods.

When a suspected power outage occurs; check your breakers, nearby street lights, and neighborhood to determine if an isolated issue is impacting only your house or if the outage is out of your control. Contact utility provider, acquire as to cause and expected restoration time (sign up for alerts through your REP, TDSP, EDU, or TDU). Unplug sensitive electronics. 

Follow below courses of actions (COAs) and preparedness steps. As you prepare/ react to each time-framed category, all supplies/actions from the previous level should already be implemented. COAs cover durations of time without power (finances/commitment levels vary per person, so prepare for the level for which you are able).

SHORT-TERM (1-7 days)
Supplies: Flashlights (battery powered & rechargeable). Portable Battery Bank/s (should provide 35,000mAh so that 1 or 2 devices can be recharged daily). 5+ Candles (burn for light, use caution to avoid fire). Generator (keep 3 days of gas in supply at all times).
Preparedness/Actions: Monitor news (Internet, TV & radio broadcasts), determine source/severity/cause of outage and take actions as needed. If a multi-day outage is expected, visit grocers & gas stations immediately and increase household supplies as necessary. Keep generator outside/away from house to avoid carbon monoxide exposure, utilize extension cords to power freezer/fridge (limit access to cold foods to extend spoil time).

MID-TERM (1-4 weeks)
Supplies: Transfer Switch Setup (install necessary components to exterior breakers to allow for generator power to select sections of your house). Obtain portable battery bank and 100+ watt solar panel kit.
Preparedness/Actions: Travel to nearby (or distant if necessary) gas stations and grocers to obtain additional 6 days gas and 2 weeks non-perishable food supply (unused gas/foods can be cycled into your vehicles, or daily meals if power is restored). Continue to restock at least 3 days prior to exhaust of supply. Charge portable power supply during sunlight; use at night. Power down gas generator at night if possible (nighttime gen use could attract unwanted attention).

LONG-TERM (1 month+)
Supplies: Solar Setup (install a mid-level solar array such as portable panels of 500+ watts [small chest freezer and lights] or a roof mounted array of 2,000+ watts [powers essential fridges, freezer, lights, fans, etc] for extended powering of your house, this includes necessary equipment such as inverter, battery [lithium], and controller).
Preparedness/Actions: Expect gas supply to be exhausted during multi-month outages. Take defensive measures to secure/conceal your emergency power capabilities (blackout windows, keep panels in backyard, etc).

*Note, this guide is focused on power needs only. There are many other preparations and steps necessary to address a power outage aside from electricity dependance. There are also other long-term power answers aside from solar but due to space constraints and availability/access to solar, we chose to recommend this course of action.


The above segment is taken from the Volume 3 of the Hip Pocket Brief.