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Power Out? Here's What to Do

A calm guide to winter power outages

Is your power out right now?

Before the Power Goes Out

Gather these now while you have light and warmth.

Warmth & Light

  • Extra blankets gathered in one spot
  • Flashlights with fresh batteries (one per person)
  • Candles and matches/lighter (use safely)
  • Warm layers: wool socks, hats, gloves for indoors
  • Sleeping bags if you have them

Water & Food

  • Fill bathtub with water (for flushing toilets)
  • Fill containers/bottles with drinking water
  • Charge devices NOW (phones, portable batteries)
  • Easy-to-eat food that doesn't need cooking
  • Know what's in your fridge (so you don't open it later)

If You Might Need to Leave

  • Pack a go-bag: medications, phone charger, warm clothes
  • Important documents accessible
  • Know where you'd go: friend, family, warming center
  • Call ahead to confirm they have power/can host
  • Know where your water main shutoff is

Your House

  • Check current inside temperature (note it somewhere)
  • Identify your "warm room" - interior, few windows
  • Have extra blankets ready to hang over windows
  • Open cabinet doors under sinks now (prevents pipe freezing)

Power Out: What Happens When

A realistic timeline so you know what to expect. No surprises.

0-2 hrs
Barely noticeable

House temp: Still feels normal (maybe dropped 1-2°F)

  • Do now: Note the time power went out
  • Check your utility's outage map for estimated restore time
  • Keep fridge/freezer closed—don't open them
  • Use this time to gather flashlights, blankets

Mindset: This is probably brief. Stay calm.

2-4 hrs
Starting to cool

House temp: Down ~3-5°F from start

  • Do now: Close off rooms you're not using
  • Pick your "warm room"—usually an interior room, away from windows
  • Start layering up—don't wait until you're cold
  • Put on wool socks, warm slippers

Mindset: Getting cozy, not worried yet.

4-8 hrs
Noticeable chill

House temp: Down ~8-15°F from start (mid to low 50s inside)

  • Do now: Consolidate to one room, close the door
  • Hang blankets over windows for insulation
  • Open cabinet doors under sinks (prevents pipe freezing)
  • Eat something—your body needs fuel for warmth

Mindset: This is uncomfortable but manageable.

8-12 hrs
Decision time approaching

House temp: Could be in low 50s or high 40s

  • Do now: Check the thermometer—what's the actual temp?
  • If below 50°F: Start considering leaving
  • Call your backup location to confirm you can come
  • Let faucets drip slightly to prevent freezing
  • Pack go-bags just in case (meds, chargers, documents)

Mindset: Time to have a real conversation about next steps.

12-24 hrs
Extended outage

House temp: Likely in 40s, approaching danger zone

  • Below 45°F inside: Leave for warming center or friend's place
  • Don't wait until it's too cold to think clearly
  • If leaving: Turn off water main, leave faucets open
  • Take medications, important documents, phone chargers
  • Food in fridge is unsafe after 4+ hours; freezer good for 24-48 hrs if unopened

Mindset: Leaving isn't failure—it's smart planning.

24+ hrs
Pipe freeze territory

House temp: Below 40°F—real danger

  • You should not be home if it's below 40°F inside
  • Pipes freeze when walls hit 32°F (happens when inside is ~40°F for hours)
  • If you haven't already: drain pipes before leaving
  • Call 211 for warming center locations

This is when property damage becomes the risk—prioritize yourselves.

How Long Will Your House Stay Warm?

Estimate based on your starting conditions. This helps you plan.

°F
°F

Note: These are estimates for average homes. Well-insulated homes cool slower. Older, drafty homes cool faster. Using strategies like closing off rooms and covering windows can add hours to your timeline.

When to Do What

Clear triggers so you don't have to decide in the moment.

When power first goes out
  • Note the time
  • Check utility outage map
  • Text/call to let someone know
  • Don't open fridge or freezer
When it's been 2+ hours
  • Close off unused rooms
  • Pick your warm room
  • Start layering clothes
  • Check outage estimate again
When inside temp drops below 55°F
  • Move everyone to one room
  • Hang blankets over windows
  • Open cabinet doors under sinks
  • Let faucets drip
  • Call your backup location to give them a heads up
When inside temp drops below 50°F
  • This is your decision point—stay or go?
  • If no estimated restore time: strongly consider leaving
  • If restore expected within 4 hours: can probably wait with all warming strategies
  • Pack go-bags now regardless of decision
When inside temp drops below 45°F
  • Time to leave.
  • Turn off water at main (usually in basement or crawlspace)
  • Leave faucets open after turning off main
  • Take: medications, documents, phone chargers, warm clothes
  • Warming center: Call 211 for locations

Should I Stay or Go?

If 3+ of these are true, consider leaving.

Inside temperature is below 50°F
No estimated restore time (or it keeps getting pushed)
It's been more than 8 hours
Outside temp is below 20°F
Anyone in household has health concerns with cold
You have a safe place to go

Where This Data Comes From

We researched these numbers so you don't have to.

Heat loss rate (Newton's Law of Cooling)

Buildings lose heat proportional to the temperature difference between inside and outside. A well-insulated home loses ~1-3°F per hour when it's 40°F colder outside. Poorly insulated homes lose 3-5°F per hour.

Source: Department of Energy residential heat loss studies

Safe indoor temperature thresholds

CDC recommends maintaining indoor temps above 64°F for health. Below 50°F increases hypothermia risk for vulnerable populations. Below 40°F is considered dangerous for everyone.

Source: CDC Cold Weather Guidelines, FEMA Emergency Preparedness

Pipe freezing temperatures

Pipes typically freeze when surrounding air is 20°F or below for extended periods. Inside pipes in exterior walls can freeze when indoor temp drops below 40°F.

Source: American Red Cross, Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety

Food safety during power outages

Refrigerated food is safe for 4 hours if door stays closed. Freezer stays safe 24-48 hours if full, 24 hours if half-full.

Source: USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service

Emergency Resources

  • 211 — Find warming centers and local resources
  • 911 — Medical emergencies, downed power lines
  • Your utility's outage map — Check estimated restore times
  • Ready.gov — Federal emergency preparedness resources