How to Prepare For a Power Outage In Tennessee

Tennessee is known for having a fairly moderate, warm climate. However, in the summer Tennessee can hit temperatures of over 100º and in the winter, it is not unheard of for the temperature to drop below 0º. In addition, Tennessee can be visited by tornadoes, floods, electrical storms, earthquakes, ice storms, landslides and other natural disasters. These weather conditions can cause power outages across the Volunteer State.

Personal Experience with Lengthy Power Loss

Several years ago during a severe ice storm that broke power lines and shut down electrical power across Middle Tennessee, my home was without power for more than a week as Nashville Electric Service (NES) worked to repair fallen power lines across Middle Tennessee. In 2010, there was a massive power failure across much of Nashville due to the historic Nashville flood. In the early morning of May 4, flooding at an NES  substation caused power to go out in the center of the city, and outlying areas also lost power. In some places, including my neighborhood, power and telephone service were both off for well over a week.

Power Failure Can Occur Any Time

During extremely hot weather in Tennessee we sometimes experience brownouts and power cuts. During icy conditions, tornadoes, high winds, and other weather conditions we can lose power for long stretches of time due to power failures, also known as a power cuts, power loss, power outages or blackouts. It is hard to predict when your home might lose power in Tennessee, but if you hear bad weather is approaching, it is good to take a few precautions to prepare for power failure. Since most of Tennessee's power outages happen in the winter, this article will feature ten winter tips, many of which can also be applied to summer power loss.

Top Ten Ways to Prepare For a Power Outage In Tennessee

1. Keep Trees & Branches Trimmed

Make sure the lush Tennessee foliage, including trees, branches and clinging vines like kudzu and honeysuckle, are trimmed away from any electrical wires leading into your home to prevent power failure from downed electrical lines.

2. Store Several Flashlights in Good Working Condition

Keep flashlights in working condition in major rooms of your home: the utility room, kitchen, living room, and each bedroom to be ready for a blackout. Store flashlights in places that are easy to reach, and check the batteries regularly. Make sure everyone knows where the flashlights are located so no one has to grope their way through a dark house trying to find a flashlight.

3. Keep Fresh Batteries on Hand

Be sure to have a supply of fresh batteries in several sizes on hand where you can easily reach them in the event of a power outage. Make sure everyone knows where the batteries are stored, and that fresh batteries are always on hand for emergencies.

4. Have Matches, Candles, Oil & Kerosene Lamps on Hand

In the tradition of Tennessee frontiersmen, keep matches, candles, oil and/or kerosene lamps handy for lighting in case of power loss. Oil lamps, kerosene lamps and candles not only are good sources of light, but they can supply a little heat if your electricity goes out and you don't have gas heat. In some disasters, gas heat may also be lost. I kept a room warm enough for a parakeet, rabbit, cat and myself to survive for a week in cold winter weather using nothing but kerosene lamps and candles during Nashville's big ice storm in the 1980s. Keep oil lamps, kerosene lamps and candles away from drapes, paper or other flammable materials. Keep them on a stable piece of furniture or mantel away from pets and small children.

5. Use Non-Electrical Back-Up Appliances

Make sure your home is not completely dependent upon electricity and electrical appliances. Keep some necessary non-electrical back-up appliances on hand in case of power failure: a manual can opener, a portable battery-powered or hand-crank radio, a hand-crank charger for your cell phone, a wind-up clock, etc. It is a good idea to charge cell phones and other appliances ahead of time anytime you know bad weather is heading your way.

6. Invest in Some Solar Lights

Keep a few inexpensive solar lights set up outside all year long around walkways and steps so you can see where you are going outside during a power outage. Consider other solar-powered appliances as well. In Tennessee, even in winter, there is often enough sun in the daylight hours to charge solar lights and solar panels for several hours of nighttime light or power.

7. Keep Blankets & Fans on Hand

Keep extra blankets, warm clothes and even instant hand warmers on hand for temporary emergency heat during power loss as well as battery-operated fans for power failure during Tennessee's hot summer months.

8. Invest in Alternate Forms of Heating & Cooking

If the power goes out during cold weather, having a wood-burning stove, camping stove, kerosene heater or fireplace can provide heat and light as well as a a place to cook food and heat water. Be sure and have some canned food on hand that can easily be heated on your wood-burning stove, camping stove, kerosene heater or fireplace as well as other ready-to-eat foods in case of power failure.

9. Utilize Games, Activities & "Campfire" Entertainment

Keep some games, cards, crafts, toys, coloring paper and books handy to provide things for the family to do if the power goes out. Power outages are also a good time for sing-alongs and ghost stories.

10. Consider an Electrical Generator Powered by Gasoline

Make sure you have an alternate source of emergency power available by having an emergency power system or back-up generator, especially  if someone in your household needs power for medical equipment. Keep plenty of fuel on hand for alternate energy sources and make sure equipment is maintained in good working order even if it is not used regularly.

There is some interesting buzz going around about the new Bloom Box which may soon be available for consumers to have their own energy supply in their back yard. Other power alternatives include solar panels and wind turbines.

These ten tips should help you stay safe, warm (or cool), fed, lighted and entertained in the event of a power outage in Tennessee.

Thank you for reading and sharing the link to this article. If you enjoyed this article, please share the link. This article is not available to copy and post to a website, discussion board, Facebook, or elsewhere. PLEASE DO NOT COPY THIS ARTICLE.