Photo source: Alex Ramirez, Iowa State University.

Power Outages

Power outages can occur from a variety of situations, such as natural disasters (e.g.,flooding, ice storms) or from overwhelmed power systems during extreme heat situations. Power outages can last for prolonged periods of time and present unique challenges for agricultural communities. For homes, food safety issues may occur from the loss of refrigeration, personal safety may be of concern from the loss of heating in the winter or cooling in the summer. The loss of power to farms using mechanical ventilation, bulk milk-handling equipment, automated feeding systems, heat or refrigeration can result in economic and livestock losses.

Learn how to prepare for and protect your family, home and farm, animals, and business during power outage situations.

Power Outage Preparedness Resources

Power Outages at Home (pdf, 1 pg)
More Home Resources
Power Outages on Your Farm (pdf, 1 pg)
More Farm Resources
Power Outages and Your Business (pdf, 1 pg)
More Business Resources

Additional Power Outage Preparedness Resources

Be Red Cross Ready: Power Outage Checklist
Factsheet includes steps to take prior to, during, and following a power outage in order to preserve safety.
American Red Cross (ARC)
Power Outages
How to be prepared for a power outage.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
What to Do to Protect Yourself During a Power Outage
Tips for protecting your health, including food safety, extreme heat and cold, and carbon monoxide poisoining.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)