Maintenance procedure · Written to ASD-STE100 Issue 9 · Formatted to ANSI Z535

Storm and Power Outage Readiness Checklist

Household storm prep — the outside of the house, the loss of power, food and water, and where a generator is allowed to stand
ApplicabilityHouses and apartments, in the day or two before a forecast storm that may interrupt the electricity supply
Task time2 hr 50 min to 5 hr 2 min editorial estimate, not a measurement
PersonnelOne
Revisionv1 · 2026-07-29
BEFORE YOU BEGIN

Before you begin. This procedure is general reference information, not professional advice. Equipment varies by manufacturer, model, and year. Always follow the documentation supplied with your equipment — where it differs from this page, follow the manufacturer. Verify that you have the tools, the working conditions, and the ability to do this task safely. If anything is unclear, if the equipment is damaged, or if the task exceeds your experience, stop and use a qualified professional. You are responsible for your own safety and for the outcome. This site accepts no liability for any loss, damage, or injury arising from the use of this information.

Specifications marked unverified could not be traced to a manufacturer source. Do not rely on them — obtain the value from your equipment documentation.

Summary

This is the list of things worth doing in the day or two before a forecast storm that might take the power out. It covers the outside of the house, the food in the refrigerator, the water you drink, and the one number on this page that will actually hurt someone if you get it wrong: how far away a portable generator has to stand. Every figure here comes from CDC, CPSC or the National Weather Service, and the authority is named next to each one so you can see where it came from.

Two things this page deliberately does not do. It does not tell you how to connect a generator to the wiring of the house, because that is a licensed electrician's job and a generator wired in without a transfer switch can push power back out into the utility lines and kill a lineworker. And it is not an evacuation plan or a flood plan: if a flood or an evacuation is on the table, your local emergency management office knows your address and this page does not. What it will give you is a sequence you can work through with a phone in one hand, and a plain statement of where its knowledge stops.

Safety

WARNING

NEVER OPERATE A GENERATOR IN THE HOME, IN A BASEMENT OR IN A GARAGE.
Carbon monoxide is in the exhaust. Carbon monoxide has no color and no smell. Carbon monoxide can kill you in minutes.

WARNING

IF A FLOOD OR AN EVACUATION IS POSSIBLE, OBEY THE LOCAL OFFICE FOR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT.
This page does not give the procedure for a flood. This page does not give the procedure for an evacuation.

Necessary equipment

ItemNote
FlashlightCDC says to use a flashlight and not a candle.
BatteriesInstall new batteries in each flashlight before the storm.
Appliance thermometerThe thermometer shows if the food stayed cold enough.
Battery pack for a telephone optionalCharge the battery pack to full before the storm.
Radio that operates on batteries optionalA radio gives you the forecast without the electricity supply.
Waterproof bag optionalUse the bag for your documents.
Manual for your generator optionalThe manual gives the safety instructions of the manufacturer.
Drinking water materialCDC gives 1 gallon for each person for each day.
Food that does not spoil materialSelect the food that you can eat cold.
Carbon monoxide alarm materialCPSC says to install an alarm on each floor of the home.

Know the forecast

Estimated 23 min to 45 min

NOTEThe National Weather Service will issue a watch when conditions are favorable. It issues a warning when the hazard is imminent.
Evacuation area for your address
Unverified — do not rely on this value
CONSULT YOUR LOCAL OFFICE FOR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

No tier-1 source was found for this value. Take it from the documentation supplied with your equipment.

  1. Read the current forecast for your area from the National Weather Service.
    • You can find the forecast at weather.gov.
    • A radio that operates on batteries gives you the forecast without the electricity supply.
    3m
  2. Find the current watch or the current warning for your area.
    • A watch tells you that conditions are favorable for the hazard.
    • A warning tells you that the hazard is imminent or that it occurs now.
    • The National Weather Service will publish both.
    2m
  3. Set an alert for weather in your area on your telephone.
    3m
  4. Find the evacuation area for your address.
    • Ask the local office for emergency management for this information.
    • The National Weather Service is the source of this instruction.
    5m
  5. Write an emergency plan for your household.
    • Name the place where the household will meet.
    • Name one person outside your city as the contact.
    • Give a copy of the plan to each person in the household.
    10m

Prepare the outside of the home

Estimated 25 min to 40 min

WARNING

MOVE THE LOOSE OBJECTS INTO THE HOME BEFORE THE WIND INCREASES.
Wind can lift a loose object and injure a person.

  1. Move loose objects from the yard into the home or into a garage.
    • A loose object is any object that the wind can move.
    • Examples are garden furniture, a waste container and a toy.
    15m
  2. Close each window and each door.
    5m
  3. Select a safe room in the home for high wind.
    • The National Weather Service will name a basement or a storm cellar.
    • It will also name an interior room on the lowest floor with no windows.
    • Tell each person in the household which room it is.
    5m

Prepare for the loss of power

Estimated 28 min to 38 min

NOTECDC says to use a flashlight and not a candle. A candle can start a fire in the home.
Distance from a portable heater to anything that can burn, published by CPSC
Manufacturer or standard verified
3 ft

Source: Millions in Path of Winter Storms this Week; CPSC Issues Safety Tips to Help Families Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning and Fires · tier 1 · accessed 2026-07-29

  1. Charge each telephone and each battery pack to full.
    2m
  2. Put a flashlight in each occupied room.
    4m
  3. Install new batteries in each flashlight.
    • Do a test of each flashlight after you install the batteries.
    5m
  4. Put a thermometer in the refrigerator.
    • CDC says to keep a thermometer in the refrigerator and in the freezer.
    • The thermometer is how you know if the food stayed cold enough.
    1m
  5. Put a thermometer in the freezer.
    1m
  6. Fill clean containers with water before the storm.
    • CDC says to use containers for food that the FDA approved.
    • Keep the containers away from direct sunlight.
    10m
NOTICE

DISCONNECT THE POWER CORD OF EACH SENSITIVE DEVICE BEFORE THE STORM.
A surge on the supply can damage the device.

  1. Disconnect the power cord of each sensitive electronic device.
    • A surge on the supply can damage the device.
    5m

Do a check of the supplies

Estimated 30 min to 1 hr

Drinking water for each person for each day, published by CDC
Manufacturer or standard verified
1 gallon

Source: How to Create an Emergency Water Supply · tier 1 · accessed 2026-07-29

  1. Do a check of your emergency kit.
    • CDC says to store at least 1 gallon of water for each person for each day.
    • CDC gives 3 days as the minimum and 2 weeks as the target.
    10m
  2. Get a supply of each prescription medicine.
    • CDC gives at least 2 weeks as the supply for a kit.
    • If a medicine must stay cold, get a cooler and ice packs.
    10m
  3. Put copies of your documents in a waterproof bag.
    • CDC says to keep copies of personal documents in a kit.
    10m

If a generator is part of your plan

Estimated 48 min to 1 hr 23 min

NOTECDC and CPSC both give 20 ft. CDC measures from each window, door and vent. CPSC measures from the house.
Distance from a portable generator to each window, door and vent, published by CDC
Manufacturer or standard verified
20 ft

Source: What to Do to Protect Yourself During a Power Outage · tier 1 · accessed 2026-07-29

Distance from a portable generator to the house, published by CPSC
Manufacturer or standard verified
20 ft

Source: Millions in Path of Winter Storms this Week; CPSC Issues Safety Tips to Help Families Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning and Fires · tier 1 · accessed 2026-07-29

Electrical rating of your generator
Unverified — do not rely on this value
CONSULT THE MANUAL FOR YOUR GENERATOR

No tier-1 source was found for this value. Take it from the documentation supplied with your equipment.

Extension cord rating your generator needs
Unverified — do not rely on this value
CONSULT THE MANUAL FOR YOUR GENERATOR

No tier-1 source was found for this value. Take it from the documentation supplied with your equipment.

Replacement age of your carbon monoxide alarm
Unverified — do not rely on this value
CONSULT THE DOCUMENTATION FOR YOUR ALARM

No tier-1 source was found for this value. Take it from the documentation supplied with your equipment.

  1. If a generator is part of your plan, read the manual for your generator.
    • The manual gives the instructions of the manufacturer for your model.
    • If a generator is not part of your plan, go to the last section.
    15m
  2. Operate the generator outdoors only.
    • CPSC says never to operate a generator in a home, a garage or a basement.
    • CPSC says never to operate a generator in a crawlspace, a shed or a porch.
    • An open window or an open door does not make an indoor space safe.
    1m
  3. Keep the generator in a place where rain and snow cannot touch it.
    • CDC gives this condition with the distance.
    5m
WARNING

PUT THE GENERATOR OUTDOORS AND MORE THAN 20 FT FROM THE HOME.
Exhaust that enters the home can kill the persons inside.

  1. Put the generator more than 20 ft from each window, door and vent.
    • CDC measures the 20 ft from each window, door and vent.
    • CPSC measures the 20 ft from the house.
    5m
  2. Point the exhaust of the generator away from the home.
    • CPSC says to point the exhaust away from each building that a person can enter.
    2m
  3. Connect each appliance to the generator with an extension cord.
    • CDC says to use an extension cord that is more than 20 ft long.
    5m
  4. Install a carbon monoxide alarm that operates on a battery.
    • CPSC says to install an alarm outside each sleeping area.
    • CPSC says to install an alarm on each floor of the home.
    • An alarm with a battery continues to operate without the electricity supply.
    15m

After the power stops

Estimated 16 min to 36 min

Refrigerator temperature that CDC gives as safe
Manufacturer or standard verified
40 °F

Source: Keep Food Safe After a Disaster or Emergency · tier 1 · accessed 2026-07-29

Freezer temperature that CDC gives as safe
Manufacturer or standard verified
0 °F

Source: Keep Food Safe After a Disaster or Emergency · tier 1 · accessed 2026-07-29

Time food stays safe in a closed refrigerator without power, published by CDC
Manufacturer or standard verified
4 hours

Source: Keep Food Safe After a Disaster or Emergency · tier 1 · accessed 2026-07-29

Time food stays safe in a closed full freezer without power, published by CDC
Manufacturer or standard verified
48 hours

Source: Keep Food Safe After a Disaster or Emergency · tier 1 · accessed 2026-07-29

Time food stays safe in a closed half-full freezer without power, published by CDC
Manufacturer or standard verified
24 hours

Source: Keep Food Safe After a Disaster or Emergency · tier 1 · accessed 2026-07-29

WARNING

USE A FLASHLIGHT AND NOT A CANDLE.
A candle can start a fire and burn the home.

  1. Use a flashlight for light.
    <1m
  2. Do not use a candle for light.
    • CDC says that a candle causes a risk of fire.
    • If you use a candle, keep it away from each object that can burn.
    <1m
  3. Keep the door of the refrigerator closed.
    <1m
  4. Keep the door of the freezer closed.
    <1m
  5. Read the thermometer in the refrigerator after the power returns.
    • CDC says the refrigerator must be at 40 °F or below.
    • CDC says the freezer must be at 0 °F or below.
    1m
WARNING

DISCARD PERISHABLE FOOD AFTER 4 HOURS WITHOUT POWER.
Food that became warm can make you very sick.

  1. Discard each perishable food after 4 hours without power.
    • CDC gives 4 hours for a closed refrigerator.
    • CDC gives 48 hours for a closed full freezer.
    • CDC gives 24 hours for a closed half-full freezer.
    • Meat and fish are perishable food.
    • Milk, eggs and cut fruit are also perishable food.
    10m
  2. Discard any food that is above 40 °F.
    • You can cook or freeze thawed food that is at 40 °F or below.
    • You can also cook or freeze thawed food that still has ice crystals.
    2m
  3. Do not taste food to find if it is safe.
    • CDC says to discard the food when you are in doubt.
    <1m

Terminology

This page uses one term for each item and holds it throughout, as ASD-STE100 requires. Equipment sellers and other guides use the names below for the same parts.

power outage
Also called: power cut, blackout, power failure, power's out, lights went out, electric went out
portable generator
Also called: genny, backup generator, emergency generator, gas generator, home generator
watch
Also called: storm watch, watch vs warning, difference between a watch and a warning, weather watch
warning
Also called: storm warning, severe weather warning, weather alert
carbon monoxide
Also called: CO, carbon monoxide poisoning, generator fumes, exhaust fumes, the invisible killer
storm readiness
Also called: storm prep, hurricane prep, how to prepare for a storm, storm checklist, power outage checklist, what to do before a storm

When to use a professional

Do not connect a generator to the wiring of the home. Only a licensed electrician can install a transfer switch for that connection. A generator without a transfer switch can send power into the utility lines. That power can kill a lineworker or a neighbor. This page does not give that procedure and it will not.

Speak to a licensed electrician if water touched the electrical equipment of the home. Do not operate that equipment before the electrician examines it.

Speak to a qualified technician about each appliance that burns gas, oil or wood. CDC says that a qualified technician must do a service of the heating system every year. Use a fireplace or a wood stove only if the vent is correct.

If a carbon monoxide alarm operates, then leave the home immediately. Call 911 from outside the home. Do not go into the home again until the responders permit it.

Common questions

What's the difference between a watch and a warning?

A watch means conditions are favorable for the hazard, and the National Weather Service is explicit that it does not mean the event will happen. A warning means it is imminent or already happening. The wording quoted on this page is from the NWS flood pages, which define the pair most plainly, but the logic is the same across their products. In practice a watch is the point at which you work through this checklist, and a warning is the point at which you stop preparing and take shelter.

How far from the house does a generator have to be?

Twenty feet, and both federal authorities that publish a number publish the same one. CDC says never to run a generator inside a home, basement or garage, or less than 20 feet from any window, door or vent. CPSC says to operate it outside only, at least 20 feet from the house, with the exhaust pointed away from the home and from any other building someone could go into. They measure from slightly different things and arrive at the same figure, so there is nothing to reconcile here. Note that an open garage door does not make a garage acceptable.

Can I plug a generator into a wall outlet to power the house?

No, and this page will not tell you how. A generator connected to the house without a transfer switch can push power back out into the utility lines, which can kill a lineworker who believes the line is dead. Installing a transfer switch is licensed electrical work and it belongs to a licensed electrician. What you can do yourself is run an extension cord from the generator to each appliance, which is the arrangement CDC describes.

How long will food last in the fridge if the power goes out?

CDC gives four hours in a refrigerator, 48 hours in a full freezer and 24 hours in a half-full freezer, in every case only if you keep the door shut. The safe temperatures are 40°F or below for the refrigerator and 0°F or below for the freezer, which is why an appliance thermometer in each is worth the few dollars. Thawed food that still has ice crystals or is at 40°F or below can be cooked or refrozen. Anything perishable that has been above 40°F for four hours or more goes in the bin. Never taste food to find out whether it is safe.

Should I use candles when the lights go out?

CDC says to use battery-powered flashlights and lanterns rather than candles, gas lanterns or torches, precisely to reduce the risk of fire. CPSC says the same and adds that if you do use candles you must keep them away from anything that can catch fire and never leave them burning unattended. A house fire during an outage is a worse problem than the dark. Put a flashlight in every occupied room before the storm rather than hunting for one afterwards.

How much water should I actually store?

CDC says at least one gallon per person per day for three days, and to try for a two-week supply if you can manage it. Store more than that for anyone pregnant, anyone ill, your pets, or if you live somewhere hot. Use food-grade containers, keep them cool and out of direct sunlight, and replace water you have bottled yourself every six months. That is the federal figure, published by a federal agency, and it is not an estimate we made up.

Sources

Every specification on this page is traced to one of these sources. Tier 1 is a manufacturer document, a published standard, or a government safety authority. See Standards for the full tiering rule.

  1. Tier 1What to Do to Protect Yourself During a Power OutageCenters for Disease Control and Prevention · accessed 2026-07-29 · re-verification due 2027-01-25
  2. Tier 1Safety Guidelines: During & After a Winter StormCenters for Disease Control and Prevention · accessed 2026-07-29 · re-verification due 2027-01-25
  3. Tier 1Millions in Path of Winter Storms this Week; CPSC Issues Safety Tips to Help Families Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning and FiresU.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission · accessed 2026-07-29 · re-verification due 2027-01-25
  4. Tier 1Prepare! Don't Let Severe Weather Take You by SurpriseNOAA National Weather Service · accessed 2026-07-29 · re-verification due 2027-01-25
  5. Tier 1Flood Warning VS. WatchNOAA National Weather Service · accessed 2026-07-29 · re-verification due 2027-01-25
  6. Tier 1What to Do Before the Tropical Storm or HurricaneNOAA National Weather Service · accessed 2026-07-29 · re-verification due 2027-01-25
  7. Tier 1Keep Food Safe After a Disaster or EmergencyCenters for Disease Control and Prevention · accessed 2026-07-29 · re-verification due 2027-01-25
  8. Tier 1How to Create an Emergency Water SupplyCenters for Disease Control and Prevention · accessed 2026-07-29 · re-verification due 2027-01-25

Revision history

Current version 1 · updated 2026-07-29 · next review due 2027-07-29

  1. v1 · 2026-07-29First draft. Generator siting, outage food safety and water quantity taken from CDC, CPSC and NOAA National Weather Service pages read on 2026-07-29. ready.gov and fema.gov both returned HTTP 403 to every automated request and are recorded under rejected rather than cited. Connecting a generator to house wiring is held behind the professional boundary.

Corrections to this page are listed in the public corrections log. Reports that are credible and not yet verified are listed in the public errata register, and an open one renders above the step it concerns.

Comments and corrections

Found an error? A correction with a manufacturer source is applied and logged publicly. You can also write to corrections@fixchecklist.com.

Every step above carries its own report control, which tags the report with that step so a correction reaches the right place. For anything about the procedure as a whole — the order of the sections, a step that is missing, something that did not match your equipment — use this: report something about this whole procedure.

The comment system is not connected yet. Comments are stored in GitHub Discussions through Giscus, outside this site, so that a redeploy cannot destroy them.