Hurricane Idalia sure to bring power outages. Here's how to prepare, what to do

C. A. Bridges, USA TODAY NETWORK - Florida
Updated ·5 min read

As Hurricane Idalia threatens to bring devastating Category 3 (or higher) winds and massive storm surges to the Florida coast Wednesday, widespread power outages are inevitable.

"I would prepare to be without power," Gov. Ron DeSantis said Monday during a press conference about the approaching tropical cyclone. "There is not likely to be a situation where you're not going to lose power at all if you're in the path of this storm. So please take precautions for that."

DeSantis said there are more than 20,000 people who are ready to respond to power outages, with more on the way. And there are currently more than 400,000 gallons of fuel ready to deploy, with "additional assets" expected over the next few days.

Here's how to prepare, with tips from FEMA, the Red Cross and Ready.gov.

Before power goes out, have alternative power sources ready

  • Take inventory of anything you rely on that needs electricity — lighting, communication, medical devices, cooking — and get power sources such as batteries, portable chargers, power banks, and solar chargers.

  • Charge all phones and keep them charged as long as you have power.

  • If you have a home phone, make sure it works during a power outage.

  • Make sure every family member has a flashlight. Consider emergency flashlights that can be recharged manually. Avoid candles.

  • Get a radio that can be recharged by hand to monitor storm locations, alerts and emergency information.

  • Invest in a generator, but ONLY use it outdoors and away from windows. Carbon monoxide poisoning is a real risk with generator use. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says a single gas-powered generator can generate up to 100 times more carbon monoxide gas than a car’s exhaust.

Keep your fridge and freezer closed, get nonperishable food

A refrigerator will keep food cold for four hours after the power goes out, according to FEMA, and a full freezer will hold its temperature for about 48 hours. Avoid opening the doors as much as possible to keep the cool air in.

"If you are in doubt, monitor temperatures with a thermometer and throw out food if the temperature is 40 degrees or higher," FEMA said on its site.

  • Eat your fresh, perishable foods first. Use coolers with ice, if available.

  • Stock up on nonperishable food, at least a few day's worth, and water. Ideally, you should have at least two weeks' worth of food and water available.

  • Generators, camp stoves or charcoal grills should always be used outdoors and at least 20 feet away from windows.

Live updates on Idalia: Gov. Ron DeSantis gives situation update on rapidly intensifying Hurricane Idalia

Prep your house

  • Unplug any appliances or electronics in your home, including internet modems and TV cables. Power may come back in momentary surges or spikes that can cause damage. Use surge protectors for your household electronics.

  • Install carbon monoxide detectors with battery backups in your home to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.

  • Do not turn off utilities unless you suspect damage or if local officials tell you to. If you have a gas line, it can only be turned on by a qualified professional.

  • If any circuit breakers have been tripped, contact an electrician to inspect them before turning them on.

  • If you evacuate, turn off electricity at the breaker box before you go.

Plan out your medical needs

If you need power for any medical needs such as devices or refrigerated medications, make a power outage plan. Have alternative power sources ready and check medications to see if they can be stored at higher temperatures.

If you have devices or medication that are critical for your life, talk to your healthcare provider for specific guidelines and consider moving to a shelter or other location with power.

When power goes out

  • Report it to your local power company.

  • If you see downed or damaged power lines, call 911 to report it but stay at least 35 feet away from them and anything they are touching,

  • Don't walk into flooded areas, there may be downed power lines you can't see.

  • Don't use any electrical equipment or electronics that have been submerged. Have a qualified electrical inspector check the electrical system.

  • For households with children, have some power-free activities ready to keep them (and yourself) occupied. Tell stories, play games, sing songs. The National Children Stress Network has some suggestions.

Power outage tracker: Find out how widespread outages are at any given time

Stay cool(er) without power

  • Temporarily, hold on to your cool air. Keep windows and doors closed and close curtains, blinds and shutters to keep light and heat out of the house. Close off the hottest rooms in the house and stay on lower levels.

  • When your home heats up, open doors and windows to create a cross breeze and keep airflow moving.

  • Stay on the ground floor as much as possible.

  • Roll up and remove area rugs on wood or tile floors.

  • Wet your curtains, wring them out so they're damp, and open the windows. The outside air will cool down as it passes through the damp fabric. You also can dampen a bedsheet or large bath towel and hang them in front of a window. Keep a spray bottle handy to spritz the cloth again if it dries out.

When the power comes back on

Throw out any refrigerated food, especially dairy and meat, that has been exposed to temperatures 40 degrees or higher for two hours or more. Also throw out anything with an unusual odor, color or texture. If you're not sure, toss it.

If the power is out more than a day, safely discard any medications that require refrigeration unless the drug's label says otherwise. Contact your healthcare provider to resupply.

Be ready

The Red Cross has a checklist to prepare for power outages.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Hurricane Idalia: What to do when the power goes out and stays out