Hey everyone, Zach here. I’m going to be direct with you because this matters too much for sugar-coating.
Three years ago, a simple ice storm knocked out power to my entire neighborhood for five brutal days.
Five days. You know what shocked me most?
It wasn’t the darkness creeping into every corner of our homes or the bitter cold that settled in.
It was watching my neighbors, people I’d known for years, good people with families and careers, completely unprepared for something this basic.
One guy was burning charcoal briquettes in his kitchen, creating a deadly carbon monoxide situation he didn’t even understand.
Another was driving across town in dangerous conditions just to charge his phone at a gas station that still had power.
I watched preventable chaos unfold in real-time, crisis after crisis that could have been avoided with just a little planning and a few specific items.
Here’s the reality nobody wants to face:
The power grid is aging faster than we’re fixing it.
Infrastructure failures are becoming more frequent, not less.
We’re experiencing more extreme weather events every single year.
The average American now experiences over 8 hours of power outages annually, and that number keeps climbing year after year.
But here’s what really gets me, what keeps me up at night and drives me to create this content:
Most people think they’re prepared because they have a flashlight somewhere in a drawer.
Maybe some candles in a cabinet.
They’re not prepared.
They’re one extended blackout away from a genuine crisis that could threaten their family’s safety and wellbeing.
I’ve been prepping seriously since 2012.
That’s over a decade of learning through real-world situations, mistakes I’ve made (and trust me, I’ve made plenty), and systems I’ve refined through actual testing during emergencies.
Today, I’m sharing the 11 specific supplies that actually separate people who thrive during blackouts from people who barely survive.
These aren’t generic suggestions you’ll find regurgitated on every prepper blog.
These are battle-tested essentials that have kept my family safe, comfortable, and functioning during extended outages when our neighbors were struggling.
What Actually Happens During Extended Blackouts
Before we dive into the supplies, let’s talk about what really happens during extended power outages. Because understanding the problem helps you prepare for the solution.
When the power goes out for more than a few hours, a cascade of problems begins. Your refrigerator stops working, meaning food starts spoiling.
Your home heating or cooling system fails, creating potentially life-threatening temperature extremes. Your phone starts dying, cutting off your connection to emergency information and loved ones.
Your water supply might fail if you’re on a well or municipal system that requires electrical pumps.
These aren’t hypothetical scenarios. These are documented realities from the Texas freeze, Hurricane Sandy, California wildfires, and countless other disasters that have struck in recent years.
The families who made it through comfortably weren’t lucky.
They were prepared with specific supplies that addressed specific problems.
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1. Water Storage and Purification: Your Absolute First Priority
Your body shuts down after just three days without water.
That’s not a scare tactic designed to sell you things. That’s basic human physiology that doesn’t care about your opinions or excuses.
Yet when the catastrophic Texas freeze hit, families went nearly a week without running water. Pipes froze, municipal systems failed, and people were desperate.
The CDC updated their official guidelines this year, and you need to pay attention: one gallon per person per day, minimum.
If you have hot weather conditions or anyone with medical issues in your household, you need to double that amount.
Here’s the sobering part that should make you uncomfortable:
A recent University of California study found that 78% of Americans don’t even have a three-day water supply at home. Are you one of them? Be honest with yourself.
Most people think they’ll just grab bottled water when something happens. That’s not a plan—that’s hope masquerading as preparation. And hope won’t keep your family hydrated when crisis strikes.
During emergencies, bottled water is the first thing to disappear from store shelves completely.
What remains is either wildly overpriced or reserved for people with enough money to panic-buy.
You need stored water today, not tomorrow when warnings start blaring.
The right way to store water: Forget those flimsy milk jugs that break down after a few years and leech chemicals into your drinking water.
The smart move is BPA-free water bricks, stackable containers that are space-efficient, last for years without degradation, and actually stack neatly in closets or garage corners without wasted space.
I’ve got 12 of them stashed in my garage right now, and they take up less space than you’d think.
On a tighter budget? Those blue 7-gallon containers work fine for water storage.
Just keep them out of direct sunlight and away from temperature swings that can degrade the plastic over time.
But here’s what really separates the truly prepared from the merely hopeful: What happens when your stored water runs out? This is where water purification becomes your actual lifeline, not just a backup plan.
Purification tablets are incredible for emergency situations.
These tiny tablets can make questionable water safe to drink in about 30 minutes.
They’re cheap, they last forever on the shelf, and they weigh almost nothing.
I’ve got bottles of them stored in three different locations throughout my property, one set in my main prep area, one in my vehicle, and one in my bugout bag.
My personal game-changer has been a gravity-fed water filter.
During last summer’s blackout that lasted three days, my neighbors were standing in long lines paying $10 per gallon for bottled water. Meanwhile, I was filtering rainwater and stream water for free.
The latest models remove 99.9999% of bacteria and viruses—that’s not just good, that’s exceptional performance that rivals municipal water treatment.
A quality gravity filter costs less than $50 and works without electricity, batteries, or moving parts that can fail. It’s completely passive—it just sits there working reliably when you need it most.
Here’s the bottom line on water: Water infrastructure fails first in almost every disaster scenario throughout history.
With about $60 spent in one afternoon, you can build a water system that keeps your family hydrated through virtually any emergency.
When the taps run dry, and eventually they will you don’t want to be knocking on doors begging for a drink
2. Safe Alternative Cooking Solutions: Don’t Make This Fatal Mistake
This one is honestly painful to talk about, but it’s too important to skip.
When the power died last winter, Texas emergency rooms saw a horrifying 700% spike in carbon monoxide poisoning cases.
Desperate people brought grills and camp stoves indoors without understanding the deadly consequences.
I actually lost a distant cousin this way during Hurricane Sandy.
He was just trying to keep his family warm and cook a meal indoors using improper equipment. It was completely preventable, and that tragedy sits with me, which is why I’m so specific about this topic.
You absolutely need alternative cooking solutions for extended blackouts, but they have to be safe alternatives that won’t kill you.
First, get a butane stove: A 2024 consumer safety study identified these as the safest indoor emergency cooking option when you maintain proper ventilation. I grabbed mine for $25, and the fuel canisters last for hours of cooking time.
I’ve cooked everything from simple ramen to full pasta dishes on this compact unit.
The key is cracking a window for ventilation and never, ever leaving it unattended while it’s burning. That’s non-negotiable for safety.
For longer outages, a propane grill is essential: The newest models from companies like Camp Chef and Coleman include battery-free ignition systems specifically designed for emergency situations when you might not have electricity for electronic ignition.
I learned this lesson when my electric-ignition grill failed during our last neighborhood outage.
Now I keep matches and lighters stored right next to the grill where I can find them in the dark.
Plus, I maintain at least two extra propane tanks at all times.
During extended emergencies, propane becomes scarcer than toilet paper was during the pandemic. People panic-buy it the moment warnings go out. You want to have yours already on hand.
Here’s a trending solution that honestly blew my mind when I first tested it: Solar ovens. These ingenious units can hit 350°F using pure sunshine. I was skeptical until my neighbor made an entire lasagna during last summer’s three-day blackout using nothing but solar power. The latest models fold flat for storage and set up in seconds.
Even on cloudy days, they’ll heat food to 200°F, which is enough to sanitize water and slow-cook meals. The efficiency is remarkable, and there are absolutely no moving parts to fail.
Don’t overlook that dusty camping gear in your garage: Those little folding stoves with hexamine fuel tablets are perfect for heating soup or making coffee. They’re compact, incredibly cheap, and the fuel tablets last forever on the shelf.
I keep one in my emergency kit and another in my car. These are underrated because they seem too simple, but simplicity equals reliability when everything else is failing.
Consider wood-burning options too: Rocket stoves, which you see on survival shows, actually work incredibly well in real-world situations.
They run on twigs and small branches, and during last year’s ice storm, I cooked three full meals daily using nothing but fallen branches from my yard. The efficiency is mind-blowing—just a handful of sticks boils water in minutes.
You’re basically utilizing renewable fuel that’s literally lying on the ground around you.
Storage and safety matter critically: The National Fire Protection Association reports that improper fuel storage caused 42% of home fires during emergencies.
Keep propane tanks outside, never in garages or basements. Store butane canisters in cool, dry places away from heat sources. Always rotate fuel if it’s been sitting too long.
When everyone else is eating cold beans straight from a can by candlelight, you’ll be enjoying hot meals.
That matters for more than just nutrition, it matters profoundly for morale when everything else is falling apart around you.
3. Proper Emergency Lighting: Stop Relying on Your Phone
Your phone’s flashlight dies in 20 minutes of continuous use. Then what’s your plan?
I know a woman named Sarah from Michigan who relied on candles during an ice storm.
One tipped over while she slept, and it nearly burned her house down with her family inside.
A $20 investment in proper lighting could have prevented that nightmare entirely.
When the Texas grid failed, emergency rooms reported a 43% spike in fall injuries from people stumbling around in complete darkness.
Broken bones, head injuries, serious accidents that could have been prevented with proper lighting. Don’t become a statistic.
Battery-powered lanterns are absolute game-changers: The new LED models from this year are insanely efficient.
Some run 300 hours on low settings. I keep one in every single room of my house so I’m never fumbling in the dark.
The LuminPack Light Nova just topped Consumer Reports with its 24-hour runtime on high and 5-year battery shelf life.
What I love most is how it collapses flat for storage but inflates into a full lantern when needed.
The diffused light is much easier on your eyes during extended blackouts than harsh direct flashlight beams.
It feels less oppressive when there’s darkness all around you.
Headlamps aren’t just for campers anymore: When I had to fix a leaking pipe during a blackout, my headlamp literally saved the day. I could see what I was doing with both hands completely free to work.
The newest models weigh under 3 ounces and have red light modes that preserve your night vision.
My neighbor Mark used his to read bedtime stories to his terrified kids during a storm. Sometimes light is about comfort and psychological wellbeing as much as pure function.
Solar-powered lighting is where this industry is headed, and for good reason:
A Department of Energy study found that solar-powered lights with built-in batteries can work up to 12 years without battery replacement.
I was skeptical until I tested some during hurricane season. Even after three consecutive cloudy days, my solar lanterns provided enough light to read by comfortably.
The latest models include USB ports to charge small devices, which is just brilliant engineering design.
Emergency management agencies now recommend solar options as primary backups because they eliminate the battery storage problem entirely.
No batteries to expire or leak, no rotation schedule to remember.
They just sit on a shelf, charge in daylight, and work when you need them.
Here’s something that shocked me about battery storage: Storing batteries in the refrigerator does NOT extend their life.
I learned this from Energizer’s research lab. Room temperature storage in a dry place is actually optimal.
Those expensive lithium batteries last up to 10 times longer than alkalines, especially in high-drain devices like flashlights.
I made this mistake during my first blackout, I’d stored my emergency flashlight batteries in the refrigerator, and they died within hours when I actually needed them.
Not ideal when you’re counting on them.
4. Backup Power Solutions: When Electricity Becomes Currency
It’s 11:47 PM. You’re in the middle of a text when everything goes dead. No lights, no Wi-Fi, nothing.
Your phone is clinging to 12% battery, and you can watch the percentage dropping.
In a blackout, electricity becomes survival currency.
Without backup power, you’re instantly pushed back a hundred years technologically.
Power banks are no longer just convenient airport phone chargers: The newest models pack serious punch.
We’re talking 25,000 to 30,000 milliamp-hours of capacity. That’s enough to charge your smartphone 5-6 times, keep USB-powered fans running through the night, and give your laptop extra operational life.
Models like the Anker PowerCore with 26,800 capacity or the SolarX 42,800 come with built-in solar panels, letting you recharge indefinitely during longer outages. Keep these banks topped off and ready, one by your bed, one in the pantry, one in the car.
Bonus points for models with multiple USB ports so your family isn’t fighting over cables.
Some newer power banks have USB-C ports powerful enough to run tablets, drones, or portable Wi-Fi routers.
Think carefully about what devices are actually critical in your household and plan accordingly.
For blackouts lasting more than a day, you need backup for your backup: This is where portable generators become relevant. Don’t let that word intimidate you—today’s generators are compact, quiet, and incredibly versatile.
Look for dual-fuel models like the Westinghouse iGen7500DF. It runs on propane or gasoline, giving you options when one fuel source becomes scarce.
Some new entries are solar-powered or come with lithium battery packs and are so quiet you’d forget they’re running in your backyard.
A mid-range generator can power your refrigerator for 8-12 hours on a single tank. It can run space heaters for cold-weather emergencies, power medical devices if needed, and yes, even your coffee maker if you’re determined to maintain some normalcy.
Generators require planning though: That means storing extra fuel safely, checking oil levels regularly, and testing them before emergencies actually hit.
Do test runs every few weeks. Keep logs of usage and maintenance. Rotate fuel if it’s been sitting too long. Always keep carbon monoxide safety in mind—run generators outdoors only, and invest in models with CO shutdown protection.
The trending upgrade is solar generators: Quiet, clean, endlessly rechargeable with sunshine.
Companies like Jackery and EcoFlow are pushing boundaries with all-in-one battery banks that charge phones, power lights, and run small appliances off foldable solar panels.
Power banks and generators aren’t nice-to-haves. They’re your lifeline when everything collapses around you.
5. Non-Perishable Food That Actually Works
It’s 8:00 PM. Everything is dark, and you open the refrigerator with that sinking feeling in your stomach.
Every fresh item inside is now on a countdown to spoil. If your pantry isn’t stocked with proper non-perishables, you’re in serious trouble.
Not all non-perishables are created equal. Just because something’s canned doesn’t mean it’ll keep you nourished or sane during a multi-day outage.
Start with canned protein: Tuna, chicken, beans. These aren’t filler foods, they provide energy and protein when stress and anxiety are taking their toll on your body.
Add shelf-stable carbs like rice, oats, or instant mashed potatoes. Some require water or minimal heat, but with a butane stove or thermos, you’re golden.
Think nutrient density: Peanut butter, trail mix, and granola bars keep you full and focused.
Dried fruits like apricots and raisins offer natural sugars and fiber. UHT milk or powdered milk adds calcium, protein, and versatility to your options.
Here’s the math that overwhelms people: The average adult needs 2,000 calories daily. For a family of four, that’s 112,000 calories for a two-week emergency supply. It sounds overwhelming when you look at it that way.
Break it down. High-calorie staples like beans, rice, peanut butter, and canned soups make it surprisingly manageable and cost-effective.
Your rotation strategy is crucial: Think “use and replace.” Whenever you use a can or package, replace it with fresh stock at the back. It’s called FIFO—First In, First Out. Every 6 months, do a pantry audit.
Check for bulging cans, weird smells, or missed expiration dates.
Label everything clearly. Store items off the floor, out of sunlight. Keep a printed list of your inventory. You don’t want to count cans by candlelight during a real emergency.
Many preppers are adding no-cook kits to their stockpiles: Ready-to-eat packs you can open and consume straight without any preparation. Beans, crackers, jerky, trail mix, canned fruit.
No heating, no prep, just immediate sustenance when you need it.
Don’t forget morale food: When you’re stressed, scared, and sitting in darkness, a simple cup of instant hot chocolate or a spoonful of your favorite spread can lift spirits more than you’d think.
This isn’t frivolous—this is legitimate survival strategy. Morale is real, and it affects decision-making abilities during crisis.
The grid might fail, but your household doesn’t have to go hungry.
6. Medical Supplies: Don’t Wait Until Emergency Rooms Are Overwhelmed
Your child is running a 102° fever in total darkness, and your medicine cabinet is completely empty. This nightmare happened to my neighbor last winter, and I watched the panic unfold.
A CDC study found that 68% of Americans don’t have adequate emergency medical supplies at home. That’s terrifying when you think about it.
When power goes out, pharmacies close, and hospitals get overwhelmed with emergency cases. You’re on your own, and you need to be prepared for that reality.
Your blackout first aid kit needs more than band-aids: Stock pain relievers, fever reducers, antihistamines, and rehydration solutions.
The American Red Cross now recommends a 7-day supply, up from their previous 3-day guidance after last year’s extended outages revealed how unprepared people were.
If you or someone in your household takes prescriptions, this is critical: A shocking 2024 survey revealed that 43% of people with chronic conditions ran out of medication during extended emergencies.
Talk to your doctor about emergency backup supplies.
Many insurance companies now cover this after the Healthcare Emergency Preparedness Act passed last year.
If anyone in your family uses electrical medical devices, you absolutely need backup power: New portable battery systems can run CPAP machines for three nights on a single charge.
This is legitimate life-saving equipment that you can’t afford to ignore.
Here’s my personal hack that came from real experience: Create medication cards for everyone in your family. List all medications, dosages, and allergies on laminated cards.
During our last blackout, my dad’s phone died, and he couldn’t remember his heart medication name when we finally reached a working pharmacy. That little card was literally a lifesaver.
Special considerations matter too: Diabetics need extra glucose tablets and backup insulin storage.
Asthmatics need multiple inhalers. Anyone with mobility issues needs backup batteries for wheelchairs and scooters.
This isn’t generic preparedness—this is knowing your family’s actual needs and planning accordingly.
Don’t forget basic wound care supplies: Gauze, antiseptic, medical tape, instant cold packs. During a blackout, a simple cut can become dangerous when you can’t properly clean or treat it in adequate lighting.
Consider a basic medical reference book too.
When you can’t Google symptoms or treatments, having a physical guide becomes invaluable. During extended outages, minor injuries become major problems if left untreated.
7. Communication Tools: When Cell Towers Fail
When Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico, people weren’t searching for food first.
They desperately needed ways to call loved ones and know their families were safe.
Communication became more valuable than gold in those dark days.
What’s the first thing you do when disaster strikes? You reach for your phone.
But what happens when it dies and there’s no power for days?
A 2024 Red Cross survey found that 78% of Americans have absolutely no backup communication plan during emergencies.
That’s nearly eight out of 10 people who will be completely isolated when the grid goes down.
First, get a hand-crank emergency radio with NOAA weather alerts: The Midland ER310 is my personal favorite.
Six minutes of cranking gives 30 minutes of radio time. This isn’t just for weather updates, it’s often the only way officials share evacuation instructions when cell towers fail. Many emergency radios include USB ports to charge your phone too.
Invest in a power bank with at least 20,000 milliamp capacity: The new Anker models can recharge your phone up to five times. Keep it fully charged at all times. This is non-negotiable for emergency preparedness.
Here’s what most people completely miss: Physical maps and written contact lists.
A shocking 67% of Americans don’t know a single phone number by heart anymore.
When your phone’s dead, who can you call from a landline or borrowed phone? Write those numbers down now.
I keep a waterproof notebook with essential contacts, meeting locations, and basic medical information.
It cost $3 and could save my family’s lives.
The latest trend gaining traction is mesh network devices like Gotenna or Meshtastic: These gadgets let you text and share GPS locations with others up to four miles away, completely off-grid. No cell service needed.
Search and rescue teams use these, and they’re becoming affordable for everyday folks.
Another option gaining popularity is satellite messaging devices like the Garmin InReach Mini: Yes, they’re pricey at $350 plus subscription, but they work literally anywhere on the planet.
For families with medical needs or remote locations, this could be a game-changer.
During the Texas blackout, people with communication tools weren’t just more comfortable, they were safer. They knew which shelters had space, where to find water, and could coordinate with neighbors effectively.
8. Sanitation and Hygiene: The Uncomfortable Truth
Let’s discuss something nobody wants to talk about until it’s too late: What happens when you can’t flush?
During the Texas blackout, emergency rooms saw a 47% spike in UTI cases because people avoided using bathrooms when they couldn’t flush properly. The average toilet needs 1.6 gallons per flush. Without running water, you’re in trouble fast.
A 2023 CDC report found that sanitation-related illnesses tripled during extended power outages. This isn’t dramatic fear-mongering—this is documented medical reality.
Camping toilets are trending among urban preppers: These portable options cost around $30 and use special bags that trap odors and break down waste. I keep mine under the bed with 20 bags ready to go. For budget options, a 5-gallon bucket with a toilet seat lid works too. Just add cat litter after each use.
Temperature control is critical: During 2024 heatwave blackouts, hospital admissions for heat-related illness jumped 63%. A battery-powered fan can literally save your life. For cold weather, those mylar emergency blankets retain 90% of body heat when used correctly. I keep one for each family member.
Personal hygiene becomes challenging fast: Baby wipes become gold when you can’t shower for days. The latest no-rinse bathing wipes contain antibacterial agents that prevent skin infections during extended outages. Stock up on these—they’re game-changers for morale and health.
Don’t forget feminine hygiene products, diapers if needed, and basic toiletries: Toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant. These small items make a huge difference in maintaining dignity during tough times.
Here’s my promised blackout hack: Double-bag your trash during outages. The CDC found improper waste disposal during blackouts increased rodent infestations by 78%. A simple garbage bag system keeps disease vectors away from your home.
9. Information and Documentation: Knowledge Is Power
Most people don’t realize that information is power during emergencies, not information in the abstract sense, but actual, accurate, actionable information you can access without internet.
A physical emergency reference library might sound old-fashioned, but it’s invaluable when the internet is gone: First aid guides, water purification instructions, basic electrical troubleshooting manuals. I keep a collection of maybe eight books that cover most emergency scenarios. They cost $30 total and have saved me hundreds in contractor fees when I could figure out a problem myself.
Create a family emergency binder with important documents, contact information, and your action plan: Store copies in waterproof bags—insurance information, property documentation, medical records.
When you need to file claims after a disaster, digital copies are gone if your devices died. Physical copies are permanent and accessible.
10. Community Networks: Don’t Go It Alone
Establish neighborhood networks before disasters hit. That community in California created their own mesh network after repeated wildfire evacuations.
When power and cell towers failed during the last fire, they were the only neighborhood with reliable communication.
They coordinated evacuations, shared resources, and kept people safe. They did that months before the actual emergency struck.
Practice blackout drills quarterly with your family: Turn off your main breaker for a few hours and see what you’re actually missing. You’ll discover gaps in your preparation you never considered.
My last drill showed me that I’d forgotten about medications that require refrigeration.
That discovery happened in practice, not in a crisis.
Consider your pets too: They need food, water, and comfort items, just like humans.
Many people forget pet supplies until it’s too late. If you have pets, they’re part of your emergency planning.
Click Here To Discover How To Survive Any Crisis
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11. Cash: When Digital Systems Fail
Keep actual cash on hand. ATMs and card readers don’t work without power. During Hurricane Sandy, cash was king for several days when nobody could use their cards anywhere.
I keep $200 in small bills in my emergency kit. It’s not a fortune, but it’s enough to make critical purchases when digital systems fail completely.
The Time to Prepare Is Now
The National Weather Service predicts a 40% increase in extreme weather events this year alone.
The time to prepare is now, not when warnings start blaring and store shelves are already stripped bare.
I’m not trying to scare you I’m trying to prepare you.
The reality is that 78% of Americans admit they’re not ready for prolonged power outages. Don’t be one of them.
These 11 supplies aren’t just about surviving, they’re about maintaining dignity, health, and peace of mind when everything else falls apart. Your family deserves better than cold beans by candlelight while wondering if help is coming.
The grid might be more fragile than ever, but you don’t have to be. Start with one category today.
Build gradually. Test your systems. Most importantly, don’t wait until you’re sitting in the dark wishing you’d taken action sooner.
The best time to prepare for a blackout is when the lights are still on. What are you waiting for?