How to prepare for a power outage in winter (4 top tips to stock up, charge up, fill up, back up)

In this speed read, you’ll find out (from our experience) how to prepare for a power outage in winter. In 2022, we endured a massive winter wind storm where we live in Tasmania. It came through like a tornado in the middle of the night and left a path of destruction behind it. We lost power for 4 days. In subzero overnight temps. I recall a tweet someone sent to the power company. It was 3 degrees inside their home. They were desperate for their power to be restored. With some forethought, we stayed warm and fed throughout the ordeal. We’re also better prepped now for when the next outage happens. Here’s what you should know and what we learned.

TL;DR – how to prepare for a power outage in winter

You’re going to learn in this quick speed read exactly what steps to take to prepare for a winter power outage.

We’re talking how to prepare for long-term power outages during the frosty winter months in southern Australia. Here’s the summary of things to do:

1. Plan beforehand.
2. Watch the forecast.
3. Stock up.
4. Charge up.
5. Fill up.
6. Back up.

…your food, blankets, water, heating, electronics and transport.

Now lets look at what that means and HOW to go about each one!

Can you lose power due to cold weather?

The short answer is yes you can lose power due to cold weather! Power outages can occur for a variety of reasons. Extreme weather conditions, equipment or power grid failures, and increased demand for electricity. In winter, its often wind, ice, storms, snow and rain that can cause the power supply to go out.

While it is difficult to say whether power outages are becoming more frequent in Australia as a whole, the southern regions of Oz will experience more outages in winter due to big weather.

In winter, people tend to use more electricity to heat their homes, run lights and appliances, and cook. This can put a strain on the power grid and increase the likelihood of power outages.

In other areas, the frequency of power outages may be increasing due to population growth and increased demand for electricity.

Freezing in the dark: why a winter power outage is the worst

Power outages are disruptive enough on their own. Power outages in winter are another level of bad. Especially if you live in Australia’s south. Here are 7 reasons to prepare now for winter power outages:

1. Freezing temperatures: Without electricity, it’s near impossible to heat your home or stay warm and even dry in winter unless you have the right equipment. This can be especially dangerous for older adults, young children, and people with health conditions.
2. Limited daylight hours: Winter days are shorter, so power outages that occur during the day can feel longer and more disruptive.
3. Winter storms: Winter weather, such as snow and wind, can make getting through an outage doubly tough. Your access may be cut off from downed trees or snow. It can be impossible to get the supplies you need to make it through the outage.
4. No water supply: If you live on tank water you loose pump-powered water supply when the electricity goes out. This can suck when it comes to flushing the toilet or having a wash, unless you’re prepared. Even town water has to be pumped and can be rationed in extended outages.
5. No internet or mobile signal: our winter storm in 2022 took out both the internet and mobile signal across the area. This meant no means of communication with friends and family. If you don’t have plans beforehand, how will your family know what to do?
6. Difficulty cooking: Without power it becomes difficult to cook food inside. Cooking outside in the middle of winter ain’t much fun.
7. Limited entertainment options: Without power, you may not be able to watch TV, play video games, or use the internet. This can make it more difficult to pass the time especially if you can’t get out and about.

How to prepare for a power outage in winter (6 easy steps)

Preparing for a power outage in the winter can help keep you and your family safe and comfortable during an extended period without electricity.

We’re going to look at how you can stay warm, connected, fed and clean during a winter blackout. Here is how to prepare for a winter power outage, in Australia:

1. Plan beforehand:

Discuss an emergency plan with your family that includes a communication plan in case you are separated during a power outage. Agree what you’ll do, or where you’ll go if you can’t get home or stay there.

2. Watch the weather:

Keep an eye on the BOM weather forecast and be prepared for any storm or extreme weather that may cause a power outage. Tune into ABC radio to stay across what’s happening in your local area.

3. Stock up on supplies:

Do you have an emergency kit for times like this? If not, check out our answers to the question “Why is it necessary to have a survival kit“. And then get one!

At a minimum, have a supply of non-perishable food, drinking water, flashlights, candles, matches/ bic lighter, and a battery-powered radio on hand. Also, ensure you have enough medication and pet food to last for a few days.

Have some pre-prepared “one pot” meals in the freezer.

You may be wondering what to prep in terms of food for winter power outages?. We found that frozen dinners like casserole, chilli, and stew are easy to heat up without power and don’t require prep in the dark or much clean up afterwards.

Having some in the freezer takes the stress out of meal prep at dinner time.

Stay warm:

Keep warm clothing and spare blankets readily available in case of a power outage. Here are some tips for staying warm when power is out:

1. Layer up: Wear multiple layers of clothing to trap heat close to your body. Make sure to wear warm, insulated clothing such as thermal underwear, sweaters, and a coat.
2. Use blankets and sleeping bags: Keep a supply of blankets and sleeping bags on hand to keep yourself warm during a power outage. They can also be used to cover windows and door to keep warm air inside your home.
3. Stay active: Movement generates heat, so try to stay active during a power outage. Do some light exercises or even cleaning to keep your body warm.
4. Use alternative heat sources: If you have a fireplace, wood stove, or a camping stove, use them for space heat. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
5. Create smaller spaces: Build a teepee in your lounge room for example, and sleep in it. Smaller spaces are easier to heat either with a heater or body heat.

4. Charge up all your devices:

Keep your phone charged if winter storms are forecast. Have a backup power source such as a portable charger or power bank so you can keep your phone going at a minimum.

Check your battery supplies:

You need batteries for everything when the power is out. Especially for emergency lighting and radio. Better still, get rechargeable batteries and charge them up.

5. Fill up your tank:

Widespread power outages from storms can disrupt the supply of goods like petrol and food. Fill up your tank if there is a winter storm on the way.

6. Back up the essentials

Consider a backup power source.

If you live in an area where power outages are frequent, or maybe you work remotely, consider getting a generator as a backup source of electricity.

Where once the only reliable backup power sources came from loud, smelly and complicated fuel generators, the options now are more diverse.

So before you start looking at home generators, here’s a must read article ‘Getting an In-home Generator? Read this first‘. It’s a quick run through home generator types – new and traditional – and key factors to consider before buying.

The two most likely options for emergency backup power are a fuel generator, or a solar battery backup. If you want to know which is better a solar or gas generator, we’ve done the comparison for you.

Solar generators, also called ‘portable power stations‘, come in all sizes and prices. If you thought you couldn’t afford backup power, it’s time to take a look at the new tech available. Newere LifeP04 lithium battery technologies for example. You’ll be surprised by the bang for your buck.

Invest in a bottled gas cooker:

A simple gas cook plate and 9kg bottle of gas can have you quickly heating up water and preparing meals for your family when the power is out. A warm bath. A hot cuppa coffee. A hearty meal. All possible if you have a gas bbq or hotplate. And it’s much faster than cooking on wood heater.

Install a wood heater:

If you live where it’s seriously cold, a wood heater is a godsend in a winter power outage. This was the first upgrade we did to our new home in Tasmania and it saved our bacon during winter storms.

You also need to a supply of emergency firewood on hand.

Consider a backup water supply.

If you’re on tank water and don’t have a back up generator, you need a tap to your tank that’s not powered by pump. This way you can access water by the bucket to flush your toilet and wash in.

If you’re own town water, a small garden tank with a tap can get you through an restrictions on town water for a few days. Just make sure you filter what you drink first.

Conclusion

Power outages in winter are the worst if you’re unprepared. The normal disruptions to daily life – cooking, communicating, staying entertained – are made more difficult to bear by cold, short days. Especially if the roads are cut off and you’re on tank water in a regional or rural area. But by following the steps outlined in this article – planning ahead, watching the forecast, stocking up, charging up, filling up and backing up – you’ll be ready to ride out winter storms and blackouts like a boss.