May 10, 2026 · ~7 min read
Power outages are getting more frequent across the United States. The U.S. Energy Information Administration tracks rising annual interruption durations across most regions, driven by aging grid infrastructure, increasing extreme weather, and growing demand. The single best time to prepare for an outage is when the lights are on. Here’s a comprehensive checklist.
Tier 1: Bare Minimum (Get These Today)
Water
One gallon per person per day, minimum 3 days. For a family of four, that’s 12 gallons. Store sealed bottled water in a cool dark place. Replace annually. The FEMA preparedness guidance recommends two weeks of water for serious storm-prone areas.
Non-Perishable Food
3–7 days of food that requires no cooking and no refrigeration: canned goods, peanut butter, crackers, dried fruit, energy bars. Don’t forget a manual can opener.
Flashlights & Batteries
One per person plus 2–3 spare AA/AAA battery packs. LED flashlights last vastly longer than incandescent. Headlamps are gold — hands-free is critical when you’re working in the dark.
Phone Charging Solution
One USB power bank (10,000mAh+) per person, kept charged at all times. This is your lifeline to weather updates and emergency communication.
First Aid Kit
A real one — not a thrown-together collection of band-aids. Stocked with prescription medication backups, basic wound care, OTC medications for fever/pain/digestive issues.
Tier 2: Real Preparedness (Worth Investing In)
NOAA Weather Radio
Hand-crank or battery-powered AM/FM/NOAA radio. When cellular networks fail (which happens during major outages), NOAA broadcasts continue. ~$30–$60.
Portable Power Station
A 500–1500 Wh power station (Jackery, Goal Zero, EcoFlow, Bluetti) can run lights, charge phones, power a small fan, and even run a small fridge for a limited time. ~$400–$1500.
DIY Supplemental Power System
For ongoing backup capability (rather than the limited duration of a portable power station), a DIY supplemental power system like the Energy Revolution System runs continuously without fuel. Total cost ~$230. Functions as both daily bill-reducer AND outage backup.
Manual Tools
If you only have electric versions of essential tools (can opener, coffee grinder, etc.), get manual backups. Cost is minimal; utility is massive during long outages.
Coolers & Ice Packs
Keep an empty cooler and freezer ice packs at the ready. When you know an outage is coming, you can transfer freezer contents to the cooler with ice packs and extend their shelf life by 24–48 hours.
Tier 3: Serious Preparation (For Storm-Prone Regions)
Whole-House Backup Power
If you’re in a region with regular multi-day outages (Florida, Texas, Gulf Coast, Pacific Northwest fire areas, Midwest tornado belt), consider whole-house backup. Options range from $3,000 standby generators to $20,000+ solar + battery installations.
Generator Transfer Switch
If you have a portable generator, a properly installed transfer switch (by a licensed electrician) lets you safely run select circuits from the generator without dangerous backfeeding into utility lines.
Fuel Stabilizer
If you have any gas-powered equipment, fuel stabilizer extends storage life of gasoline from 1 month to 12 months. This matters during long outages when gas station pumps don’t work.
Water Storage Beyond Bottles
For long-term resilience: a WaterBOB (bathtub liner) lets you fill your bathtub with 100 gallons of fresh water when you know an outage is coming. Rain barrels can supply non-potable water for sanitation.
Communication Backup
Cellular networks often fail during major outages. Consider a satellite messenger (Garmin inReach Mini, Zoleo) for true off-grid communication. ~$300 hardware + $15–$30/month subscription.
Often-Overlooked Items
Cash
ATMs don’t work during outages. Credit card readers don’t work. Keep $200–$500 in small bills in a secure location at home.
Paper Maps
If GPS is down or your phone is dead, paper maps of your local area suddenly become critical. Free at most AAA offices or print from Google Maps.
Important Documents Backup
Driver’s license, insurance cards, prescription list, emergency contacts — photocopied or scanned and stored in a waterproof container or USB drive.
Indoor Cooking Solution
NEVER use a charcoal grill or camping stove indoors — carbon monoxide will kill you. Safe indoor options: butane stoves designed for indoor use, sterno cans, fondue setups. Outdoor: anything goes.
Quiet Entertainment
Books, board games, playing cards. Multi-day outages are mentally exhausting when there’s nothing to do.
Pet Supplies
Food for at least 7 days, medications, water, comfort items. Pet carriers in case evacuation is needed.
The 72-Hour Test
The best way to evaluate your preparedness: pick a random weekend and pretend the power is out for 72 hours. Don’t use any plugged-in device. Use only your prepared supplies. You’ll discover gaps you didn’t know existed.
Common discoveries:
- The flashlights have dead batteries
- You don’t actually know how to operate the manual can opener
- Your phone is dead because your power bank wasn’t charged
- The food storage you thought you had isn’t actually edible without cooking
- The candles are decorative-only and don’t produce useful light
Building Outage Resilience Over Time
You don’t need to do everything at once. A reasonable phased approach:
- Month 1: Tier 1 items ($150–$300 total)
- Month 2: NOAA radio + portable power station ($500–$1,500)
- Month 3: DIY supplemental power system for ongoing benefits ($230)
- Month 4–6: Tier 2 items as needed
- Year 2+: Consider whole-house backup if you’re in a high-risk region
The DIY supplemental power piece is uniquely useful here because it does double-duty — reducing your monthly electricity bill and providing continuous backup capability. The monthly savings essentially pay for the system within weeks, after which it’s pure benefit.