Quick steps when the power goes out

TL;DR:

First, confirm if it is your home or the neighborhood.
Check outage maps or your utility’s status page.
Keep fridge closed, 4 hours is your limit.
Use generators only outdoors, away from windows.
Have phone or VoIP battery backup for 911.

1) Check what failed. Look outside. If streetlights or neighbors are dark, it is likely an area outage. If only your home is dark, check breakers and GFCIs first.

2) Report and track. Use your utility’s outage map or hotline. Many regions have live maps and restoration estimates. For U.S. nationwide visibility, PowerOutage.us aggregates utility reports.

3) Keep food safe. Do not open the refrigerator or freezer unless needed. A fridge keeps food safe for about 4 hours. A full freezer keeps food safe about 48 hours, half full about 24 hours.

4) Protect your gear. Unplug sensitive electronics to avoid surge damage when power returns.

5) Stay connected safely. Broadband phone and fiber adapters need power. Without a battery, even 911 may not work. Consider a backup unit that can power your phone service for at least 24 hours.

Where to check outages

Your utility’s map. Search “[your utility] outage map.” Most major utilities provide live maps and ETAs, for example Duke Energy or Entergy.

Aggregators. PowerOutage.us shows state-level totals and links to utilities. Data updates about every ten minutes. Local alerts. City or county emergency pages and social feeds often post updates during storms.

Food safety rules you can trust

Follow federal guidance to avoid illness.

Keep fridge and freezer doors closed.
After 4 hours without power, move perishables to a cooler with ice if possible.
Throw out refrigerated perishables held above 40°F for 4 hours or more. Do not taste test.

Quick food safety table

Situation	Keep or Toss
Fridge lost power, door closed, under 4 hours	Keep
Fridge over 4 hours above 40°F	Toss perishables
Freezer full, door closed, under 48 hours	Keep if still 40°F or colder
Freezer half full, under 24 hours	Keep if still 40°F or colder
Any food with off smell, color, texture	Toss

Generator and carbon monoxide safety

Use generators only outdoors, far from doors and windows. Never run them in garages or enclosed spaces. The same applies to charcoal grills or gas stoves used for heat.

Phone, internet, and backup power

Phones. Cable or fiber voice needs power at home. Ask your provider about battery backup options and status alerts.

Routers. A small UPS can keep your modem and router online for short outages. For longer events, mobile hotspots help if cell towers have power. Providers may have limited battery runtime on neighborhood equipment.

Make a basic outage kit

Two flashlights and spare batteries.
USB battery bank for phones.
Cooler and a few gel packs.
Thermometer for fridge and freezer.
Portable radio.
Copies of key contacts and prescriptions.

Ready.gov also provides printable checklists and business continuity tips.

Simple checklist

Confirm if the outage is only at home.
Check and report on your utility’s outage page.
Keep fridge and freezer closed.
Unplug sensitive electronics.
Use generators outdoors only.
Monitor official alerts.
When power returns, check food temperatures before eating.

Why it matters

Fast checks reduce risk and stress. Safe food rules prevent illness. Backup power for phones can protect access to emergency services. Keep this guide handy for storms or heat waves.

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