How to Survive a Winter Power Outage in Extreme Cold

When power goes out in winter, indoor temperature can fall rapidly, freezing pipes and putting your loved ones at serious health risk. The danger is real, and every minute counts.

What the Data Says

Winter storms destroy power infrastructure. Long-term data show that weather was the cause of 80% of major power outages in the U.S. Winter storms are among the leading drivers, accounting for about 23% of weather-related major outages, behind “severe weather” such as thunderstorms and high winds.

Winter Storm Uri (February 2021) is the cautionary tale everyone references for a reason. Texas experienced massive, prolonged outages, and the Texas Department of State Health Services’ mortality surveillance report identified 246 winter storm-related deaths.

The March 1993 “Storm of the Century” remains one of the clearest examples of what happens when you combine extreme cold, snow, and widespread power outages. The National Weather Service notes the storm was responsible for about 300 deaths and power outages affecting over 10 million customers.