The First Four Hours Without Power
Original preparedness explainer · Reviewed as a draft October 29, 2026 · General U.S. guidance
An outage plan is easier when divided into short phases. First, confirm your household is safe, find a light and check whether emergency alerts are active.
Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed. Ready.gov guidance says a refrigerator typically keeps food cold for about four hours without power if unopened.
Check utility notices via official channels; have a printed contact list ready if mobile coverage is unreliable.
Prepare battery-powered lighting, charging options, food-safety supplies and a plan for medical equipment that needs electricity. Never run a generator, charcoal grill or camp stove indoors or in an attached garage.
Put this into action
Choose one manageable improvement today. Confirm current warnings and local instructions with your city/county emergency management agency and the National Weather Service.