Ice storms & power outages: how to be ready

Ice storms and wind can knock the power out for days. A few steps now make it much easier.

Have a kit ready

Flashlights, batteries, water, a phone power bank and a battery radio.

In a long winter outage, drain the pipes if the house gets close to freezing.

Never run a generator indoors or in a garage. A transfer switch or inlet installed by an electrician is the safe way to power the house.

Ice-loaded branches are what bring lines and roofs down.

Check the fridge and freezer, reset the furnace if needed, and look for storm damage.

Do I need an electrician to connect a generator?

Yes — connecting to your home’s wiring needs a transfer switch or inlet installed by a licensed electrician, so power cannot back-feed the lines.

How long does food last without power?

About 4 hours in a closed fridge and 24–48 hours in a full freezer.