The tornado that struck Clayton in May 2025 is a stark reminder that natural disasters can (and do) happen here at home.

While we associate tornadoes with lasting damage to homes and infrastructure, an often overlooked challenge of any disaster is being without electricity. Long-term outages impact every aspect of daily life: comfort,  food safety, medical needs, staying connected with loved ones, and more.

Preparing for a blackout is a crucial way to protect your household. The best time to prepare is when weather is calm and you have time to be deliberate and thoughtful. Better to have a plan and supplies and not need them than to be in an emergency situation only to find you're missing critical items. 

Preparing for Long-Term Power Outages

• Backup Power: Consider investing in generators or battery backup systems. Even a small portable unit can keep critical items—like medical devices, refrigerators, and phones—running.
• Alternative Light & Heat Sources: Stock flashlights, lanterns, candles, and extra batteries. For winter events, have safe heating alternatives.
• Water & Food Supply: Store at least three days’ worth of water and non-perishable food per person, though two weeks is even better.

Broader Preparedness Steps

• Fuel: Keep vehicles fueled when severe weather is forecast, and if safe, store small amounts of fuel for generators.
• Medication: Ensure you have extra prescriptions on hand, particularly if you rely on lifesaving medications.
• Communication Plan: Discuss and write down how your family will check in with each other if phone service is disrupted. Identify a local meeting spot and an out-of-town contact. A great step-by-step resource to build your plan can be found at Ready.gov/plan.
• Stay Weather Aware: Sign up for emergency alerts, keep a NOAA weather radio, and follow local officials for real-time updates.

Our Shared Responsibility

Natural disasters test the strength of a community—but preparation strengthens our resilience. Together, by planning ahead and taking steps to prepare our homes and families, we can lessen the impact of the next emergency. 

For guides on disaster preparedness go to ready.gov.