Power Outage Simulator — Are You Prepared?
Test your home's blackout readiness. Get a preparedness score and a personalized emergency equipment shopping list with estimated costs.
Your Home Setup
Equipment you already own
Blackout readiness score
0/100
Critical
Estimated autonomy: 3 hours
0/25
0/25
4 hours
0/15
1 day
0/10
0/15
12 hours
0/10
Vulnerabilities
- ⚠️All-electric heating: immediate loss during power outage
- ⚠️Electric/induction cooking: cannot cook without backup equipment
- ⚠️No food reserve: dependent on fresh groceries
- ⚠️No water reserve: critical risk during extended outage
- ⚠️No backup lighting source
- ⚠️No radio: risk of information blackout if cell towers go down
Emergency Kit Budget
Flashlights + candles
$25
Battery / crank radio (NOAA)
$38
Power bank 20,000 mAh
$40
Water reserve (5 gal/person)
$54
Dry food supply (3 days)
$144
Emergency blankets
$27
Full kit cost
$328
Already owned
-$0
To invest
$328
Note: US power outages average 5+ incidents per year per household, with an average duration of ~2.5 hours. However, extreme events (Texas Winter Storm 2021, California wildfires, hurricanes) can cause blackouts lasting days to weeks. Prices shown are estimates in US dollars for typical retail purchases on Amazon or at hardware stores like Home Depot and Lowe's.
Power Outages in America: Why Preparedness Matters
The US power grid is aging and increasingly vulnerable to extreme weather events. According to NERC (North American Electric Reliability Corporation), Americans experience an average of 5+ power interruptions per year, with a growing trend of longer and more severe outages.
Major US Blackouts
Texas Winter Storm (2021)
4.5 million homes without power for up to 5 days. 246+ deaths. $195 billion in damages.
California PSPS (2019-2024)
Planned shutoffs affecting millions during wildfire season. Up to 5 days without power.
Hurricane Ian (2022)
2.6 million homes in Florida lost power. Some areas waited 2+ weeks for restoration.
US Power Grid Vulnerabilities
- ERCOT (Texas): Independent grid, not connected to national system, vulnerable to extreme cold/heat
- WECC (Western US): Wildfire-related shutoffs, drought affecting hydroelectric capacity
- Eastern Interconnection: Hurricane and ice storm damage, aging infrastructure
- Growing demand: EV charging, AI data centers, and electrification straining capacity
- Cybersecurity threats: Increasing attacks on critical infrastructure
FEMA Emergency Preparedness Guidelines
FEMA recommends every household maintain supplies for at least 72 hours (3 days)of self-sufficiency. For areas prone to severe weather, FEMA suggests extending this to 2 weeks. Key supplies include:
- 1 gallon of water per person per day (minimum 3-day supply)
- Non-perishable food (3-day minimum, 2-week recommended)
- Battery-powered or crank NOAA weather radio
- Flashlights and extra batteries
- First aid kit
- Medications (7-day supply)
- Phone charger / power bank
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will food last in my fridge during a blackout?
A full refrigerator keeps food safe for about 4 hours if the door stays closed. A full freezer maintains temperature for approximately 48 hours (24 hours if half full). After these timeframes, perishable food should be discarded if it exceeds 40°F (4°C).
Can I use a generator indoors?
Never use a generator indoors, in a garage, or near windows. Generators produce carbon monoxide (CO), an odorless deadly gas. Over 80 people die each year in the US from generator-related CO poisoning. Always operate generators outdoors, at least 20 feet from your home, with the exhaust facing away from buildings.
How can I report a power outage?
Contact your local utility company. Most have dedicated outage reporting lines, apps, and websites. You can also check outage maps from your utility provider. During widespread emergencies, tune into NOAA Weather Radio (channels 162.400-162.550 MHz) for updates.