Weather power outage safety: generators, food, medicine, and alerts

Match preparation to the product

Outlooks, forecasts, watches, and warnings are different decision points

A power outage is often an impact of another hazard, not a stand-alone National Weather Service alert. Read the exact weather product and its instructions, then prepare for the possibility of losing electricity when damaging wind, ice, flooding, extreme heat, wildfire, or a tropical cyclone could affect utilities.

Outlook

A broad area or time period may experience hazardous weather. Review the household plan, identify medical and charging needs, and monitor official updates.

Forecast

Expected conditions are described for a place and time. Use the forecast to plan charging, travel, food, fuel, and other preparations, but check again as details change.

Watch

The named hazard is possible. Finish time-sensitive preparation: charge devices, test battery-powered alerts, secure the generator plan, and know where you would go if your home becomes unsafe.

Warning

The hazard is occurring, imminent, or expected in the warned area. Follow the protective action in the warning now. Shelter or evacuate as directed; do not delay for outage preparation.

Before the lights go out

Build an outage plan around the people and devices that cannot wait

Ready.gov recommends planning before an outage for electricity-dependent medical devices and refrigerated medicine. The best plan is specific: write down what must keep working, how long backup power lasts, where you can relocate, and who you will contact if the outage continues.

• Charge phones, rechargeable lights, power banks, and necessary assistive or medical-device batteries.
• Ask the medical provider or equipment supplier for an outage plan for powered devices and temperature-sensitive medicine.
• Keep flashlights and fresh batteries where they can be found in the dark; avoid relying on candles for emergency lighting.
• Know how to report an outage and how your utility communicates estimated restoration times.
• Keep enough water and food that does not require electricity to prepare, following the household's needs.
• Plan for children, older adults, disabilities, pets, extreme indoor temperatures, and any building system that depends on power.

Generator safety

Run portable generators outside, at least 20 feet from the home

Generator exhaust contains carbon monoxide, a colorless, odorless gas that people cannot detect with their senses. Ready.gov and FEMA say generators and fuel must be used outdoors, with the generator at least 20 feet from homes and garages and away from doors, windows, and vents. A garage, basement, crawlspace, shed, porch, or partly enclosed area is not safe—even with a door or window open.

1. Place the generator outdoors in a dry, well-ventilated location at least 20 feet from the building, with exhaust directed away.
2. Install and maintain carbon monoxide alarms outside sleeping areas and on every level of the home.
3. Follow the manufacturer's instructions and use heavy-duty outdoor-rated extension cords in good condition.
4. Never connect a portable generator directly to household wiring unless a qualified electrician installed the proper transfer equipment.
5. Turn the generator off and allow it to cool before adding fuel; gasoline spilled on a hot engine can start a fire.
6. Keep fuel outside living areas and away from flames, ignition sources, and hot equipment.

If a carbon monoxide alarm sounds or anyone feels ill, move to fresh air and call 911. Do not search the building for the source before leaving.

Inside the home

Prevent fire, electrical, food, and temperature hazards

Once power fails, keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible. Ready.gov provides current food and medicine guidance for longer outages; when safety is uncertain, follow that official guidance rather than judging food by smell or appearance alone.

• Use flashlights instead of candles. Keep smoke and carbon monoxide alarms operating on backup batteries.
• Turn off or disconnect appliances and electronics to reduce damage from surges when power returns.
• Never use a gas stove or oven to heat the home, and never use a charcoal grill or camp stove indoors.
• Stay away from downed power lines and anything they touch; report them to the utility, and call 911 when there is immediate danger.
• Do not enter floodwater or handle electrical equipment that is wet or standing in water.
• If indoor heat or cold becomes unsafe, move to a powered community location or another safe place instead of waiting for conditions to worsen.

Refrigerated medicine needs its own plan. If an outage lasts more than a day, Ready.gov advises discarding medicine that requires refrigeration unless the label says otherwise, and consulting a health professional about a replacement supply.

Keep receiving warnings

Do not let a dead phone become your only weather plan

NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts official National Weather Service warnings, watches, forecasts, and other hazard information 24 hours a day. A battery-powered receiver uses a different path from home internet and cellular data, which makes it a useful part of an outage plan. It is still one layer—not a guarantee—so check transmitter status and keep another source available.

• Keep Wireless Emergency Alerts enabled on compatible phones and conserve battery when charging is limited.
• Program a NOAA Weather Radio with SAME for the appropriate county and keep fresh backup batteries with it.
• Use a battery-powered local radio and information from local public-safety officials as additional paths.
• Check the full alert text for the affected area, hazard, timing, and protective action instead of relying on a shortened headline.
• Remember that losing internet service does not end the hazard; continue monitoring until officials issue an all-clear.