Plan ahead: Here’s how to be prepared for power outages in North Carolina

Korie Dean

Power outages are common and likely when extreme weather — from hurricanes to snowstorms and everything in between — happens in North Carolina.

But you can also lose power during non-weather-related events.

To get and stay prepared for power outages, it’s a good idea to plan ahead and keep necessary items on hand — keeping in mind the seasons during which you might lose power, or specific needs in your household.

Here are some tips for preparing for power outages, as well as some tips for what to do during outages, compiled using information from ReadyNC.gov, part of the N.C. Department of Public Safety, and the federal Ready.gov.

What to have on hand in case of a power outage in NC

To stay prepared for any emergency, it’s a good idea to keep a well-stocked emergency kit, full of essential items, on hand at all times.

ReadyNC.gov recommends keeping the following items in your home’s basic emergency kit at all times:

  • Water (one gallon per person per day for three to seven days)

  • Food (a non-perishable and canned food supply for three to seven days)

  • Cell phone with charger

  • First aid kit

  • Manual can opener for food

  • Wrench or pliers (or water meter key) to turn off water

  • Blanket or sleeping bag (one per person)

  • Prescription medications

  • Eyeglasses or contact lenses and solution

  • Seasonal change of clothing, including sturdy shoes

  • Toothbrush and toothpaste

  • Soap

  • Extra house and car keys

  • Important documents, including insurance policies, a copy of your driver’s license, Social Security card and bank account records. (It’s helpful to digitize these records and keep them on a flash drive for safe keeping and easy transport.)

  • Fire extinguisher

  • Cash and change

  • Books, games or cards

When your power is out, you likely won’t have access to news or alerts on your television. These days, you might be able to access those reports through streaming or websites on your phone, but if your power will be out for an extended period of time, you’ll want to conserve your battery whenever possible.

▪ To stay informed — and maybe even to stay entertained — keep a battery-powered radio and extra batteries on hand so that you can get emergency alerts, even when your power is out.

▪ You’ll also likely be without light during power outages, especially when it’s dark outside. Flashlights are key so that you have a light source during outages. It will help to have one flashlight for every member of your household, at least.

Be prepared for winter power outages

Other items in your emergency kit may depend on the time of year an outage occurs. To keep the items in your kit relevant and seasonally appropriate, make sure to update your kit at different points in the year — taking out or adding items as needed.

To be prepared for winter storms or outages, add these items to your kit:

  • Rock salt to melt ice on walkways

  • Sand to create traction on walkways

  • Snow shovels and other snow removal equipment

  • Warm clothing

  • Extra blankets

Also during winter or other cold times, you’ll want to have plenty of heating fuel.

  • Store a supply of dry, seasoned wood for your fireplace or wood-burning stove, if applicable.

  • If you heat with gas, refuel before you run empty. Fuel carriers may not be able to reach you during a storm or other emergencies, or even for days after.

Prepping for medical needs, kids and pets

The items you keep in your emergency kit may also depend on the medical needs of yourself or others in your household.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, you’ll also want to keep these items in your kit:

  • Face masks

  • Hand sanitizer

  • Sanitizing wipes

If you have a baby or small child, make sure to include items in your emergency kit for them, too:

  • Formula

  • Bottles

  • Diapers

  • Baby wipes

  • Pacifier

  • Soap and/or baby powder

  • Clothing

  • Blankets

  • Canned food and juices

If someone in your family has functional needs, make sure to include items they might need, including:

  • Container for hearing aid or cochlear implant processor (to keep them dry)

  • Extra batteries for hearing aid or cochlear implant

  • Communication card explaining the best way to communicate with the person

And don’t forget your pets. Include these items in your emergency kit for your animal friends:

  • Canned or dry pet food

  • Water for three to seven days

  • Food dishes

  • Collar, leash and/or harness

  • Immunization records

  • Identification tag (should contain the pet’s name and your phone number)

  • Current photos of your pets, in case they become lost

  • Medicine your pet requires

  • Pet beds and toys

  • Pet carrier

Remember: You should pack enough supplies in your emergency kit for each person in your household. Pack enough supplies to last three to seven days.

How to report power outages in NC

When you’re preparing for power outages, it’s also a good idea to be familiar with your power company and know how to report outages. You’ll likely have options to report the outage by phone call, text or online.

The News & Observer previously compiled instructions for reporting power outages in central North Carolina. ReadyNC.gov also offers a list of numbers to call to report outages, based on your power company, at readync.gov/stay-informed/power-outages.

Most power companies will also have an online outage map that you can use to check the status of power outages and anticipated restoration times.

Other tips for power outages

In addition to making your emergency kit and keeping it well-stocked, here are some other tips from Ready.gov to keep in mind if you lose power.

▪ If you have a generator, never run it inside your home or garage. You should also keep it away from windows. Carbon monoxide fumes from the generator can build up inside and become deadly. It’s also a good idea to “install working carbon monoxide detectors on every level of your home.”

▪ You should also never use a charcoal grill or camp stove inside, for either cooking or heating. Like generators, the fumes they produce can be toxic.

▪ If you smell gas at any point during a power outage or otherwise, leave your home immediately and call your utility provider. Do not use a gas stove or oven to heat your home.

▪ During an outage, do not open refrigerators or freezers unless absolutely necessary. Cold air can escape, allowing food to thaw and spoil more quickly. In general, a refrigerator will keep food cold for four hours. A full freezer will hold its temperature for about 48 hours. After those points — and if your food’s temperature rises above 40 degrees — you’ll need to throw out your food.

▪ Plan ahead and have a back-up plan to refrigerate medicines or to plug in, use or charge medical devices. “Find out how long medication can be stored at higher temperatures and get specific guidance for any medications that are critical for life,” Ready.gov says.

▪ Disconnect and unplug electronics and appliances. This will protect the appliances from possible electrical surges when power is restored.

▪ Know — or find out — where your local community might offer shelters, warming or cooling spaces for you to use if needed.

If you lose power in the winter or when it’s cold outside, and you lose heat, The National Weather Service recommends the following safety tips:

▪ Close off rooms that you aren’t using to avoid wasting heat.

▪ Stuff towels or rags in the cracks under doors.

▪ Close blinds or curtains on your windows to keep in some heat.

▪ Eat and drink. Food provides the body with energy for producing its own heat. Drink lots of water and other non-caffeinated, non-alcoholic drinks to prevent dehydration. Cold air is very dry.

▪ Wear layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing. Remove layers to avoid overheating, sweating and subsequent chill.

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