PREPAREDNESS/SURVIVAL CLASS
7 MUST HAVES FOR A LONG-TERM POWER OUTAGES
As a society that totally depends on electricity we never give it a second thought when we walk into
our house and flip on a light switch or plug an electric appliance into the wall. We just expect the
light to come on or the appliance to work when we turn it on. So what would do if you flipped the
switch and nothing happened? What would happen if you turned on the water faucet and nothing
came out? How would that affect your normal, cushy lifestyle? Well we recently found out a about
two weeks ago exactly what would happen when parts of Texas, Louisiana, Alabama and Georgia
were hit with a severe winter weather snow and ice storm. This “polar vortex” plunged these states
into subzero temperatures which, in some cases, were the lowest in over 120 years. For instance, last
Wednesday in Austin, Texas it was -26 degrees at 7:00am. Power outages and blackouts were
everywhere. Water pipes froze and burst causing all kinds of chaos and damage in some people’s
homes. Over 4 million people in Texas were without power from 2-5 days and after 8 days over
600,000 people still don’t have electricity. This happened in a state with its own power grid. And
then people wonder why we are preppers. It’s like I keep saying, prepping is not a fad or a hobby, it
is a lifestyle and a calling. God has brought us all together for a reason – it is to learn from each
other and to be ready to help others who are in need when the time comes and emergency services
are overwhelmed.
If you are in an event, such as what Texas has gone through; a winter storm that causes a power
outage from 2-5 days up to 2 weeks in subzero weather, there are certain things that you should have
and information you should know in order to be prepared for that scenario. The one thing that we
have all learned is that the government will not come in riding on the white stallion to rescue you.
You are your own first responder. If you are in that situation, you need the basics – water, food, first
aid/medical, shelter, etc., and you should be able to “winter camp” inside your home with a tent,
quality sleeping bags, warm clothing and the ability to keep yourself warm with wood and/or
propane. Beyond those basic items you will need these “must haves” in the following 7 categories:
1. LIGHTING & EXTRA BATTERIES– LED flashlights and headlamps are a must. Lanterns
of all kinds – battery-operated, hand cranked, solar and liquid paraffin wax burners. Candles
will also come in handy. As one survivalist said, “Darkness scares little kids and makes
cowards of us all.” So in a power outage put as much light on the subject as possible.
Store plenty of batteries in all sizes – AAA, AA, C, D and 9 volt. Also don’t forget the round,
flat batteries for your watches and optics/lasers on your firearms. These also make great
barter items. An extra 12volt auto battery or two would also be good to use with #3.
2. COOKING STOVES – ways to cook food and purify water without electricity. This can be
everything from a BBQ grill or propane burner stove to small camping stoves (alcohol burners,
Esbit fuel tab stoves, hobo stoves or rocket stoves).
3. POWER INVERTERS – A solar backup system is nice to have but if you can’t afford that at
least have a 500 watt to 1500 watt inverter. With an inverter you can either plug into your
vehicle auxiliary 12v power port or clamp on to a 12 volt car battery so you can generate power
from 12volt DC to 110volt or 120volt AC. This can run small appliances and power tools.
4. GENERATORS – for backup power. There are different kinds of generators like gasoline or
diesel-powered and propane powdered (don’t forget to store extra fuel) as well as solar
generators which can be charged by the sun through solar panels. Having backup power can
keep critical items running in your home during an outage.
5. BATTERY RECHARGING PACKS – There are many types available. They even have a
power pack that can jump start your vehicle by simply plugging it into the cigarette
lighter/power outlet. Some of these packs are rechargeable by 110volt plug in (by using your
inverter), while others are solar charged. These can keep your phone and other small devices
fully charged and operational.
6. EMERGENCY HEATERS – If you don’t have a fireplace or wood burning stove in your
house you should have some way to generate heat to stay warm in a power outage. People
have been known to freeze to death inside their homes without power and heat. There are
propane heaters which are safe to use indoors. You can also make small D.I.Y. space heaters
by using candles and clay pots or by using a clean 1 quart paint can (available at Home Depot)
that has a roll of toilet paper as a wick and burns 91% isopropyl alcohol saturated in the roll.
The paint can is placed inside a clay pot for radiant heat.
7. WATER FILTERS & PURIFIERS – city water comes to your home by means of electric
pumps, so no electrical power = no water. In certain parts of Texas water is not flowing
due to the power grid being down. And as of yesterday 8.7 million Texans have been placed
under a “boil water notice” in order to purify their possibly contaminated tap water for
drinking purposes. Remember: Water is only as safe as its source. When there is any
doubt about the quality of water you are drinking you should treat it either chemically,
through filtration/purification or through the boiling method. There are many filters and
purifiers on the market, but for me the Berkey Water Purification System is the best. Sawyer
and Katadyn filters are two other names that you can trust. Never can enough be said about
water purification and quality water sources during an emergency. One of the reasons I am
placing so much emphasis on potable (drinking) water is because polluted water is one of the
leading causes of death in third-world countries.
In conclusion, I have one big question.
Did we learn anything from the polar vortex and
grid down scenario in Texas? I hope we did. This winter is not over, so keep preparing to be
self-reliant by increasing your personal infrastructure where you live. Have the ability to shut off
utilities if necessary, like the water if pipes have burst. Have a way to get extra water, store it, filter it
and purify it. Have a way to keep your house warm if the power is out. Have at least two different
ways to cook with no power. Have a way to protect yourself and those you love. Have ways to light up
the darkness when grid is down. When spring arrives plant and grow your own food. Do the things to
survive and be self-sufficient that your grandparents and great grandparents did. Those things will
prepare you for what is coming in the next 6 to 8 months and beyond. Doing them will help you to
withstand 90% of the crisis events that the world might throw at you. We are not talking about the
Zombie Apocalypse, the alien reptilian overlords landing their mother ship in your back yard or the
end of the world – we are getting ready for when things get a little “chaosy around us” due to natural
or manmade disasters and whatever everyday life just brings our way. Stay safe out there and
remember: Prepare for the absolute worst but trust the Lord God for the absolute best.
YCPT Preparedness Report – Feb 2021