How to Prepare for a Winter Power Outage

As Oregon feels the impact of climate change, we’re seeing more power outages caused by extreme weather events. Winter ice storms can affect above-ground power lines and interrupt our energy services.

In 2021, Oregon utility customers experienced some of the worst power outages in the country due to a catastrophic ice storm. Nearly half a million residents were without power, including many who didn’t have power for several days. While some outages may be short-lived annoyances, outages can be life-threatening for people who rely on medical equipment or if there are longer periods of extreme winter temperatures.

Early preparation can help you make a winter power outage safer and more comfortable for your household. While there are many ways that you can prepare for an emergency, having a few basic supplies and plans is a good place to start. These tools can help you be ready without investing in expensive equipment or home upgrades.

Preparing Ahead of Time

While some power outages may be planned, such as Public Safety Power Shutoffs, there’s often minimal warning for losing power in the winter. You can still prepare for the possibility of winter storm outages by having supplies ready, signing up for emergency alerts, and listening to weather forecasts.

Sign up for alerts in Oregon through OR-Alert to receive notifications about emergencies and instructions for your area. You can listen to weather forecasts frequently and check NOAA’s website or listen to NOAA’s weather radio for winter watches, warnings, or advisories in Oregon. Lastly, you can also make sure your cell phone has Wireless Emergency Alerts enabled.

Do you know the differences between watches and warnings?

Food and Water
Keep a supply of non-perishable food handy. The Oregon Department of Energy recommends that you stock your pantry with up to 2 weeks’ worth of nonperishable foods in case of an emergency. For winter power outages, it’s important to make sure you have at least 2-3 days’ worth of food, or more if you live in a remote area, for each person in your home.

Canned items, like fruits and vegetables or soups, are a great basic option. Dried beans, pasta, protein bars, cereals, or other dried foods are also good to have on hand. Having foods that are familiar to your family and that you know you like is important. And consider having some comfort food to enjoy, too - outages can be stressful!

Have a good supply of drinking water available. Plan to have a gallon of water per person and pet for each day there may be an outage, usually about 2-3 days’ worth. Remember that water does expire, so check your stock and replace it periodically. An outage can impact your access to tap water, depending on where you live. If you use an electric-powered well pump, consider a backup system (solar-powered pump, backup gas generator, etc.) to keep your well usable during an outage.

Plan for safe water in case of a longer outage. Water purification (like LifeStraw) can help you have safe drinking water even if a boil notice is in place. Have a few frozen containers of water in your freezer. Even if your freezer goes out long, the water will still be drinkable.

Health & Safety
Make a plan with your doctor based on your medical needs. If you take medication, make sure you have a few days’ supply on hand, if possible. Keep extra medication, first aid supplies, and basic care supplies (painkillers, cold/flu, etc.) on hand for emergencies.

If you require electricity for your medical care, create a plan for either backup energy supplies (generators, solar + storage) or a safe place to relocate. Medical certificates are available through your utility, though this will not prevent an outage.

Home Safety
Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors that run on batteries. These tools are important for keeping your home safe even if you lose power. You especially should use these tools if you plan to use a fireplace, wood stove, or kerosene heater for heat!

If you plan to use a fireplace or wood stove for emergency heating, have your chimney or flue inspected each year. Search for “chimney inspections” online or find one in the yellow pages of your telephone directory under “chimney cleaning.”

Have a supply of flashlights and extra batteries in an easily accessible place. Keep these on the main level of your home, avoiding stairs where possible. Make sure the batteries fit your flashlights, too.

Make a plan for when to leave your home during an outage. Make a list of places that you can relocate to if needed and write down those addresses and phone numbers on paper. If conditions are too cold in your home, plan to relocate to a warming center in your area. Use 211 to find your local warming center. Talk to your community (family, friends, and neighbors) to see who is available to host you in case of an emergency and what supplies they have available.

If you can afford to, prepare your home for winter or talk to your landlord about preparing your home for winter by using the following checklist:

• Insulate walls and attic.
• Caulk and weather-strip doors and windows.
• Install storm windows or cover windows with plastic from the inside.
• Insulate any water lines that run along outer walls (water will be less likely to freeze).
• Service snow removal equipment.
• Have the chimney and flue inspected.
• Install an easy-to-read outdoor thermometer.

Your ability to feel a change in temperature decreases with age, and older people are more susceptible to health problems caused by cold. If you are over 65 years old, place an easy-to-read thermometer in an indoor location where you will see it frequently, and check the temperature of your home often during the winter months.

During a Winter Power Outage

While you are experiencing a power outage, there are a few things you can do to stay safe. If you’re concerned about being safe inside your home, make a plan to relocate early!

Food and Water
Keep your refrigerator and freezer closed to maintain temperature. A refrigerator will stay at a safe temperature for about four hours if unopened. A full freezer will stay cold for 48 hours unopened or 24 hours for a half-full freezer. Any perishable food that has been below 40 degrees Fahrenheit for more than two hours should be thrown away.

Eat well-balanced meals to help you stay warmer. Avoid high-sugar and alcoholic beverages. Prioritize drinking water or sports drinks to keep hydrated.

Don’t use camping stoves inside! Propane, charcoal, or similar cooking equipment can add carbon monoxide to your home. If you plan to heat your food during an outage, make sure to do this outdoors.

If you are using a gas stove, make sure to open windows while using the burners. Gas stoves can add harmful gasses to your home and must be used with proper ventilation. Make sure your carbon monoxide detector is working properly before turning on your gas stove.

Health & Safety
If you have medical conditions that need electricity to maintain treatment, make a plan to relocate ahead of time to a warming shelter. While expensive, investing in a backup generator may be a worthwhile investment.

During a winter power outage, it’s crucial to stay warm. Be sure to protect your ears, face, hands, and feet in extremely cold weather. Wear a hat, scarf, sleeves that keep in warmth, gloves or mittens, an insulated coat, and waterproof boots. Avoid going outdoors if possible and keep moving around your home to generate body heat.

If you need to go outside, make sure to layer warm clothing. Layering provides better insulation against cold weather.  Don’t stay out for too long. Overexertion from activities such as snow shoveling is a major cause of winter storm deaths. Keep an eye on pets and kids and don’t ignore shivering because persistent shivering is a sign to return indoors.

If you’re exposed to cold weather for too long, you may be at risk of hypothermia. Hypothermia occurs when your body loses heat faster than it can replenish itself. If your body temperature is below 95 degrees, this is an emergency that requires immediate medical attention. Call 911 immediately.

During extreme temperatures, staying in an unheated home can be unsafe. Warming shelters are a good option, especially if you require a certain temperature for your health. Use 211 to find your local warming center.

Home Safety
While it may be tempting to use outdoor heaters inside during a winter power outage, do not use outdoor heaters indoors. Burning propane or other gas-fired patio heaters indoors can add carbon monoxide to your home. These heaters should only be used outdoors.

Do not use gas stoves to heat your home. Leaving a gas stove running can add carbon monoxide to your home. Stoves are safe to use with proper ventilation but should not be used to heat a larger space.

Use flashlights or lanterns, not candles. Candles can be a fire hazard, especially if you have children or pets in your home.

Unplug your electronics to avoid damage from power surges. Do not turn off your utilities (including gas lines and breakers) unless instructed to by public officials.

Avoid downed power lines at all costs. Stay 35 feet or more away from downed lines or poles. These lines are hazardous, even if the power in your home is out. Contact your utility company immediately if you see downed lines outside your home.

CUB is Working to Keep Your Utilities Reliable
While some power outages are unavoidable, CUB is here to keep your utilities reliable. As consumer advocates, we work to create utility policies that ensure your energy stays on when you need it. Consider donating to CUB to support this important work.

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