Southern storms can knock out power for hours, sometimes even days. Suddenly, homes are left without heat, light, or safe ways to cook. In places that aren’t built for long stretches of cold or wild weather, outages can become a real safety problem fast.
Staying safe means knowing how to protect your health, keep food and water safe, and stay warm—without creating new hazards.
With the right steps, you can ride out a blackout without risking carbon monoxide poisoning, spoiled food, or exposure to the cold. Smart choices about heating, lighting, and water make all the difference, especially if you avoid common mistakes that cause injuries during storms.
From securing safe shelter to managing light and keeping your supplies usable, each decision matters. If you follow proven safety measures, you’ll reduce risks and stay comfortable until the lights come back.
Immediate Safety Measures During a Power Outage
When a severe storm knocks out the power, acting quickly can lower health risks and prevent accidents. Focus on staying informed, avoiding unsafe heating or cooking, and keeping away from harmful gases.
Report the Outage and Stay Informed
Call your local utility company and report the outage right away. This helps crews find and fix problems faster. If your phone works, use their reporting system or the listed number.
Stay updated with a battery-powered or hand-crank radio. These provide weather alerts from the National Weather Service and updates from FEMA. Don’t rely only on your smartphone—battery life can run out fast.
If mobile data works, check official sources for shelter info, road closures, and emergency instructions. Bookmark local emergency management websites before storms hit.
Write down important phone numbers, like the utility company, local emergency management, and nearby hospitals. That way, you can reach them even if your devices die.
Avoid Dangerous Heating Methods
Don’t use a gas oven, charcoal grill, or portable propane stove indoors. They release toxic gases and can start fires. Only use heating equipment designed for indoor use and follow the instructions.
If it’s safe, gather everyone in the warmest room and close the doors to keep heat in. Wear layers—hats and gloves help trap body heat.
If you have a fireplace or wood stove, check that the chimney is clear and the flue is open before lighting a fire. Keep anything flammable at least three feet away.
If the temperature drops dangerously low, head to a designated warming shelter if you can. Local authorities and FEMA usually share shelter locations during long outages.
Monitor for Carbon Monoxide Risks
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a silent killer—no color, no smell. Generators, gas stoves, and other fuel-burning devices give off this gas.
Put battery-powered CO detectors in sleeping areas and test them before storms to make sure they work.
Run generators outside, at least 20 feet away from windows, doors, and vents. Use outdoor-rated extension cords to hook up appliances.
Never run a car inside a garage, even with the door open. CO can build up fast in enclosed spaces.
If someone gets a headache, feels dizzy, nauseous, or confused, get them to fresh air right away and call for help.
Staying Warm Without Electricity
Cold air sneaks in fast during a winter storm, especially with no power. You can cut down heat loss by protecting yourself, limiting heat escape, and using safe heat sources.
Dress in Layers and Insulate Yourself
Layering keeps warm air close to your body. Start with a moisture-wicking base layer to keep your skin dry. Add an insulating layer like fleece or wool. Top it with a wind- and water-resistant outer layer if you have one.
Cover your hands, feet, and head. Wear wool socks, insulated gloves, and a knit hat that covers your ears. A scarf or neck gaiter helps keep heat from escaping your neck and face.
Skip cotton for base layers—it holds moisture and can make you colder. If you get wet, change into dry clothes as soon as you can.
When resting, wrap up in blankets or use a sleeping bag made for cold weather. Layering blankets works better than using just one thick one since it traps more warm air.
Retain Heat in a Single Room
Shut the doors to rooms you aren’t using to keep warmth where you need it. Pick a room with the fewest windows and doors, ideally upstairs since heat rises.
Hang heavy blankets or quilts over windows and outside doors to block drafts. Put rolled towels or draft stoppers at the base of doors to stop cold air leaks.
If you can, lay rugs or blankets over bare floors to reduce heat loss. Even small window gaps can be covered with bubble wrap or plastic sheeting for a quick fix.
For extra warmth, make a small enclosed space in the room. Pitch a camping tent or build a blanket fort—it traps body heat and works great for sleeping.
Safe Use of Space Heaters
If you use a portable space heater, make sure it’s rated for indoors and has safety features like tip-over shutoff and oxygen depletion sensors. Propane and kerosene heaters need good ventilation to avoid carbon monoxide.
Keep heaters at least three feet from anything flammable, like curtains or bedding. Don’t leave them running when you’re asleep or out of the room.
Electric heaters need a stable power source, like a generator. Use heavy-duty extension cords that can handle the heater’s wattage, and keep cords out of walkways so no one trips.
Battery-powered or catalytic heaters can work during short outages, but always follow the safety instructions.
Safe Cooking and Food Preservation
When a southern storm knocks out the power, you’ll need to prepare food without your usual appliances and stop perishable food from spoiling. The safest bet is to use alternative cooking methods the right way and keep food at safe temperatures.
Use Camping Stoves Safely
A camping stove can heat your meals when the power’s out, but you have to use it carefully. Set it on a stable, heat-resistant surface so it won’t tip over.
Always use camping stoves outside to avoid carbon monoxide. Even a garage or carport isn’t safe—dangerous gases can build up. Keep the stove away from anything flammable, like curtains or dry leaves.
Stock up on fuel for several days, but store it in a cool, dry place away from flames. Check the instructions for setup and care.
Stay nearby while cooking so you can keep an eye on the stove. Have a fire extinguisher for flammable liquids close at hand. Let the stove cool off before you pack it away.
Keep Food Safe During Outages
Refrigerated food stays safe for about 4 hours if you keep the door closed. A full freezer can keep food frozen for 48 hours; a half-full freezer lasts about 24 hours.
Use appliance thermometers to check temperatures. Keep your fridge at 40°F (4°C) or below and the freezer at 0°F (-18°C) or below. Toss out perishable food that’s been above 40°F for more than four hours.
Group food together in the freezer to help it stay cold longer. If you have it, add dry ice or block ice to stretch the cooling time. Don’t taste food to check if it’s safe—if you’re unsure, just throw it out.
Stock up on shelf-stable foods like canned goods, peanut butter, and powdered milk for easy meals during outages. Keep a manual can opener with these supplies.
Managing Light and Power Essentials
During a southern storm outage, safe lighting and smart power use keep you comfortable and cut down on hazards. Good light sources prevent accidents, and managing your devices helps you stay connected when there’s no electricity.
Use Battery and Solar Lighting
Battery-powered lanterns and LED flashlights give steady light without the fire risk of candles. LED models last longer on a single set of batteries, so they’re a solid choice for long outages.
Solar lanterns and small solar panels can recharge during the day. These come in handy if storms hit often, since you won’t need as many disposable batteries.
Keep extra AA, AAA, or rechargeable batteries in a dry, easy-to-find spot. Store flashlights in known places—kitchen, bedroom, emergency kit—so you can grab them fast in the dark.
Headlamps let you use both hands for things like cooking or moving debris. Don’t put lights near anything flammable, and test them every month so you’re not caught off guard.
Here’s a quick table of lighting options:
| Lighting Type | Advantages | Limitations |
|---|---|---|
| LED Flashlight | Long battery life, bright | Requires spare batteries |
| Solar Lantern | Renewable, no fuel needed | Needs sunlight to recharge |
| Battery Lantern | Wide light coverage | Heavier than flashlights |
Preserve and Charge Devices
Phones, radios, and medical devices might be essential during an outage. Charge them up before storms and use low-power or airplane mode to make batteries last.
Portable power banks can recharge your devices a few times. Solar and hand-crank chargers are good backups for longer outages.
If you can get to a public place with power, like a library or shelter, bring a multi-outlet power strip so you can charge everything at once.
Unplug appliances and electronics when you’re not using them to avoid surge damage when power comes back. This goes for refrigerators, microwaves, and TVs too.
Skip streaming or gaming during an outage to save battery. Send texts instead of making calls—texts use less power and are more likely to go through if networks are busy.
Water, Hygiene, and Health Precautions
After a big storm, water can get contaminated and sanitation systems might break down. Drinking unsafe water or letting hygiene slip can make you sick fast, especially when it’s harder to get medical care.
Ensure Safe Drinking Water
Only drink water you know is safe. Bottled water is always best if you have it. If not, boiling is your next option. Bring water to a rolling boil for at least one minute (three minutes at higher elevations).
If you can’t boil water, use water purification tablets or plain household bleach. Add 1/8 teaspoon (about 8 drops) of unscented bleach per gallon of clear water, stir, and let it sit for 30 minutes.
Don’t use water from flooded wells, rivers, or ponds unless you treat it properly. Contaminated water isn’t safe for drinking, cooking, brushing teeth, making ice, or washing food.
Store treated water in clean, covered containers. Label them so no one uses untreated water by mistake.
Maintain Personal Hygiene
Without power, running water might be limited, but staying clean is still important. Wash your hands with safe water and soap before eating, after using the toilet, and after touching floodwater. If you can’t use soap and water, go for an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
Stay away from floodwater—it can have sewage, chemicals, or sharp debris. Wear waterproof gloves and boots if you have to clean up.
For bathing, use boiled or treated water. Don’t use dirty water on wounds. Cover any cuts with waterproof bandages, and get medical help if you see signs of infection.
Dispose of waste as local officials advise to keep pests and illness away.
Protecting Your Home and Wellbeing
Strong storms in the South can leave homes exposed and daily life upended for days. Without power, you’ll need to secure your property, cut down on hazards, and find ways to stay comfortable and calm until things return to normal.
Home Security During Outages
Storm damage and darkness make homes more vulnerable to break-ins or accidents. Lock all doors and windows, and use battery-powered lights in entryways or hallways to help prevent falls.
If you can do it safely before the storm, secure outdoor items like grills, patio furniture, and garbage bins. High winds turn these things into dangerous projectiles.
After the storm, stay away from standing water near electrical lines or damaged structures. It’s just not worth the risk.
A portable generator keeps essential appliances running, but always use it outdoors and far from windows to avoid carbon monoxide buildup. Store fuel in approved containers, and keep it somewhere safe.
For extra security, some folks keep a whistle, air horn, or battery-powered alarm near sleeping areas to alert neighbors in an emergency. Keep pets indoors so they don’t get hurt or lost.
Mental Health and Entertainment
Long outages can be stressful, especially with storm damage or isolation. Prepare a box of low-tech activities like books, puzzles, and card games.
Sticking to a routine helps lower anxiety. Set times for meals, cleanup, and rest to give your day some structure.
A battery-powered or crank radio gives you weather updates and community announcements, which can make things feel a bit more certain.
For kids, familiar toys or comfort items help them feel safe. Adults might find light exercise, deep breathing, or a short walk outside (if it’s safe) helps too.
Staying connected matters. Neighbors can check on each other in person or with walkie-talkies if cell service is out. Doing things together, like making meals, helps pass the time and keeps spirits up.
What to Do When Power Returns
When electricity comes back after a storm, don’t let your guard down. Damaged wiring, spoiled food, and unstable electrical systems still pose serious risks, even if the lights are on.
Check for Hazards and Damage
Before you touch outlets or switches, check for visible hazards. If you see downed power lines outside, call the utility company right away. Don’t go near or touch anything in contact with a line.
Inside, look for flooding near electrical outlets or wiring. Water and electricity together are a big danger. If there’s flooding, avoid the area and call a qualified electrician before you try to restore power.
Inspect walls, ceilings, and appliances for burn marks, sparks, or weird smells. If you spot any damage, keep the circuit off until a pro says it’s safe.
If the storm damaged the structure, loose debris or weakened areas could fall. Wear sturdy shoes and gloves to protect yourself as you move through the property.
Safely Restore Appliances
When the power comes back, don’t rush to flip everything on at once. If you reconnect appliances one at a time, you’ll lower the risk of overloading the system.
Plugging in everything at once? That could trip breakers or spark a surge.
Keep unplugged electronics disconnected for a bit longer. Give it a few minutes before plugging them back in—especially if you’re worried about sensitive devices.
Check the food in your fridge or freezer. If it’s been above 40°F for over two hours, it’s safer to just toss it out. Nobody wants to gamble with food poisoning.
Restart your heating and cooling systems last. Make sure the other appliances are working fine first. That way, you help avoid putting too much strain on the power grid right away.