A Severe Power Failure Especially

Weather-related power outages will always happen, but they are also the easiest to plan for in order to keep household electronics - and especially computers - safe. When storms threaten, when the wind picks up, or when substantial snow accumulation is expected, the risk of power outage increases. By paying attention to current weather, and especially by paying attention to overnight forecasts, it is easy to be prepared.

A severe power failure, especially in a rural area, can last a day or two, and when it is caused by inclement weather it can become very uncomfortable very quickly. Any time bad weather threatens, it is wise to stock up a couple days' supply of food, to ensure that you have a means of preparing the food you have, and to ensure that you have plenty of blankets and flashlights available. If you have a wood stove, a supply of firewood is also important.


During the winter months, when heavy winds and freezing temperatures test the electrical infrastructure, power outages are more common. This is especially true in rural areas, where power lines sometimes have to travel long distances, where they are threatened by snow accumulation and tree branches. Today, the use of electrical redundancy systems, remote-controlled switchgear, and high tech alarm systems helps to minimize the length and severity of weather-related blackouts.


Any electronic equipment that is plugged into an outlet can be damaged by power surges when power to your home goes on and off. Generally, it is smart to keep delicate electronics like personal computers plugged into power supplies with a built-in surge protector, but when the weather gets bad it is also a good idea to turn those electronics off whenever they are not in use. Other electronics can also be at risk, so when the power goes out, a first step should be to unplug all the electronics and appliances you can.

Whether you live in a rural environment or in the middle of the city, it is wise to be proactive in preparing for emergencies. Preparing for a prolonged power outage means not only preparing for the power to go out, but also preparing to deal with potential causes of that outage. In Alaska, this probably means snow accumulation. In the Midwest, it might mean a tornado. In California, it might mean an earthquake.

Including your neighbors in your plan is important. A group of people working together is much better equipped to endure any hardship. Creating a neighborhood plan in addition to a household plan means assigning responsibilities, designating a meeting place, and finding out who is best able to deal with various aspects of an emergency. For example, knowing that one neighbor is a nurse and that another is in construction can save valuable time if you need CPR for a family member or help moving a tree branch.

And although it is unlikely that the worst will happen, preparing for an emergency makes dealing with an inconvenience much easier. When the power goes out on a cold winter's day, all the blankets, firewood, easy-to-prepare food, and activities that you've planned might even make the experience fun.

Out in the storm, the power company will have located the problem, used the switchgear to turn the power off around it, and dispatched their emergency teams. While they work, you can sit by your fire, sipping hot chocolate heated on the woodstove, playing cards by the light of battery-powered lanterns you had charging while the power was on.