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In the newsGrid operators are issuing winter blackout warnings. Here is what is really being reported, and your 5-minute plan.Read the roundup →
Canada and US · Updated October 28, 2026

Be ready before the lights go out.

Calm, practical guides to backup power, clean water, food and heat for a multi-day power outage, plus free tools that turn your household size into real numbers.

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Built on guidance from Government of Canada Ready.gov National Weather Service Red Cross

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drinking and cooking water
ready-to-eat meals
phone charges at 3 a day
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Planning figures: 4 L (1 gal) of water and 3 meals per person per day. Estimates only.

Power out right now?First 10 minutesOutage mapStay warm safelyCO safety

Start where you are worried

Backup PowerBackup powerSize a battery by what it must run.Size your battery →WaterClean waterHow much to store and which filters.Plan your water →FoodFoodPantry first, emergency food second.Plan your food →Heat and LightHeat and lightStay warm and avoid carbon monoxide.Stay warm safely →MedicalMedical devicesCPAP, oxygen and fridge medicines.Make a backup plan →Planning90 day planBuild your kit in small weekly steps.Start the plan →
This seasonCold weather is the main outage risk. Get ready for winter storms now.Winter storm checklist →

Top picks

Matched to a typical need. Size your own · Power guidePower guide · Filter guide · Food guide

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Winter stormIce stormHurricaneWildfireHeat waveThunderstormPetsSeniorsApartment

Plan, stock, stay informed

Step 1 · PlanOutage plannerWater, food and battery for your household.Open calculator →Step 2 · Stock72-hour checklistTick items off. Printable, with a free PDF kit.Get the kit →Step 3 · Stay informedAlerts and outage mapsKnow who to call and where to look.Set up alerts →

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Guides by topic

Backup power

What Size Power Station Do I Need? A 3-Step MethodHow Long Will a Power Station Run a Fridge? Worked ExamplesBest Portable Power Stations for Home Backup in Canada: How to ChooseBest Portable Power Station for Home Backup in the US: 120V, 240V and Transfer SwitchesSolar Generator vs Gas Generator for Power Outages: Which Fits Your Home?See all →

Water

How Much Water to Store for a Power Outage (and How to Make It Safe)Best Emergency Water Filters: Types, Ratings and LimitsBerkey vs LifeStraw vs Frizzlife: Three Different Kinds of Water FilterHow to Purify Water in an EmergencyHow to Treat Water With Bleach or TabletsSee all →

Food

Best Emergency Food Kits: What to Compare Before You BuyHow Long Does Freeze Dried Food Last? What the Numbers MeanFridge and Freezer Food Safety in a Power Outage: Keep or Toss?How to Cook Without Power Safely (and What to Eat Cold)What Emergency Food to Store FirstSee all →

Heat, light and safety

How to Stay Warm Without Power (Safely)Hurricane and Tropical Storm Power Outage ChecklistWildfire Season: Power Outages, Smoke and Evacuation PlanningHeat Wave Power Outage Guide: Stay Cool When the AC FailsHow to Keep a Furnace Running in a Power OutageSee all →

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Why now

Grid operators have been issuing warnings this autumn. In October the US Department of Energy issued an emergency order to reduce blackout risk on the Mid-Atlantic grid, and Britain's grid operator reported its winter safety buffer falling for the first time since 2022 (while still saying supply is expected to be secure). Canada saw outages and grid alerts last winter, for example in the Yukon.

Our take: most outages last hours to a few days, usually after a storm or extreme cold. You do not need a bunker. You need a plan for water, food, warmth and a way to keep phones and a few key devices running.

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