Tornado Power Outage Safety: What to Do When the Lights Go Out

First minutes after the outage

Stay in shelter until the warning expires or you are sure the storm has passed. A power outage during a tornado warning can mean the storm is nearby, not that the danger is over.

Use flashlights instead of candles if possible. Broken gas lines, damaged wiring, and unstable debris can make open flames dangerous.

Generator safety

Never run a generator indoors, in a garage, on a porch, or near open windows. Carbon monoxide can build up quickly and kill without warning.

Place generators outside and away from the home according to manufacturer instructions. Use proper cords and do not backfeed power into the house unless a qualified transfer switch is installed.

Downed lines and damaged buildings

Assume every downed power line is live. Stay away from lines, fences, puddles, and trees that may be energized.

If your building is damaged, watch for unstable walls, nails, glass, and shifting debris. Wear sturdy shoes and gloves before moving through damaged areas.

Food, phones, and information

Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible. Use a battery bank or car charger for phones, but do not run a vehicle in an enclosed garage.

A battery weather radio is valuable after the storm because cell service and home internet may be unreliable.