The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30, with peak activity from mid-August to late October. A single hurricane can leave hundreds of thousands of homes without power, sometimes for a week or more.
Why hurricanes cause such long outages
- Wind brings down trees, poles and power lines across wide areas at once.
- Flooding and storm surge can damage substations and underground equipment.
- Crews have to wait until winds die down and roads are clear before repairs can start.
- Utilities restore in order: hospitals, emergency services and main lines first, then the circuits that bring the most homes back, then individual streets.
Watch or warning? Know the difference
A hurricane watch means hurricane conditions are possible in your area, usually issued about 48 hours ahead. A hurricane warning means they are expected, usually about 36 hours ahead. A watch is your cue to finish preparing; a warning means it’s time to be done.
Before the storm
- Charge phones, power banks and your portable power station.
- Freeze water bottles to fill your freezer. A full freezer holds a safe temperature for about 48 hours if you keep it closed.
- Store at least 1 gallon of water per person, per day, for several days.
- Fill your car’s gas tank and get some cash.
- Print the 72-hour outage plan and check your emergency supplies.
After the power goes out
Never run a generator indoors, in a garage, or within 20 feet of any window, door or vent. Its exhaust contains carbon monoxide, which you can’t see or smell and which can kill in minutes. Keep the fridge closed, and use our food safety guide to decide what to keep.
Get ready before the lights go out
Print our free 72-hour outage plan and checklists, then find the backup battery that can run what matters in your home.