TIPS: What to Do if Your Power Goes Out During a Blizzard

We have, what's predicted to be, a huge winter storm coming through Minnesota this week. It's especially supposed to slam southeast Minnesota from Rochester up to the Twin Cities. Some people stock up on essentials prior to a big snowstorm (like bread and milk) but you should also prepare for the possibility of a power outage. It's a good idea to be prepared for this before any snowstorm in Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin.

Preparing for a Power Outage during a Snowstorm

You should prepare for the worst to keep your family safe in case of a power outage. A power outage during a snowstorm can be awful. All sorts of things can happen with no power during the winter months. Thankfully, Xcel Energy has some tips for what we can do to prepare as much as we can just in case.

What to Do During a Power Outage During a Snowstorm

First of all, make sure you report the power outage. That's super important so the power company can get out and get it fixed as soon as they can.

If your power goes out, Xcel Energy says you should make sure you stay informed on the latest information from your power company. Check their website and/or social media for updates. It's also important to stay updated on the weather which you can do on our free app!

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Other tips include staying away from any downed power lines and to keep your fridge and freezer doors closed as much as possible. Xcel Energy writes that "[a] full freezer will stay at freezing temperatures for approximately two days and a half-full freezer approximately one day." But in order to keep that cold temperature the door needs to stay shut.

You should also make sure you're prepared with a home emergency kit.

Home Emergency Kit for a Snowstorm

Here are some important items to have on hand in case of a power outage during a blizzard:

The phone number for your power company.

A battery-powered radio and/or TV

Flashlights

Extra batteries

A charged portable charger for your phone

Non-electric alarm clock

Bottled water

Non-perishable food

Manual can opener

First aid kit

Extension cords in case there's only a partial outage

Know how to manually operate any power-operated doors (like your garage door)

Some of these items you might think, well I have my phone for most of this so it's fine. True, but if your power is out for an extended period of time, you want to preserve that phone battery. So having another source of, for example, light that's not your phone is important.