updated 09/10/2017

Power failures are common in the wake of storms (BBC) and disasters, man-made or natural; for example floods (Telegraph) and drought (Brazil dries up and blacks out, 2015) even UK mini heatwaves (Ashbourne News Telegraph). Also see South Australia’s Blackout explained (09/2016 black start)

Power outages can also occur without warning because of faults or accidents.

You may need to shelter-in-place and wait it out or you may have to evacuate (Feb 2015: Liverpool One John Lewis evacuated after power cut as restaurants unable to serve food, Liverpool Echo)

 

Trapped in a lift due to the #victoria power outage, on the hottest day of year

— Nathan (@hinchliffe85) July 18, 2014

Power cuts are predicted to become more frequent, not only causing damage to the economy ($180 billion in the USA) but also affect transport, security and health (Lincoln University). Concerns and discussions on the UK energy safety gap are ongoing (Guardian).

2003 – a memorable year for spectacular power cuts

Looking back, 2003 was a particularly eventful year. In the US and Canada 55 million people were affected during the Great Northeast Blackout, 14th August 2003:   Fortunately, most power cuts last only minutes, but even such short durations can have a substantial impact on you personally as well as business. The London Blackout (28 August 2003) lasted just 34 minutes (BBC) during which  

• 400 calls were taken by the London Fire Brigade

• 100 rescues were made

• all main rail services stopped in London and the South East

• 60% of London Underground was affected

 If not stranded in lifts or underground, thousands of Londoners and visitors either took to the rain soaked streets or found shelter in candle lit pubs and restaurants. Outages not only happen in summer. They happen every day (DNO live twitter list) and can affect everyone. Most spectacularly and recently again London:

Striking aerial picture shows swathe of west London plunged into darkness by blackout https://t.co/cYnACt2h1e pic.twitter.com/BP1rrTIvVa — Evening Standard (@standardnews) January 23, 2015

 

What is a Brownout? What to do during a Brownout

Brownouts, the opposite of a power surge, refer to a drop in voltage that can last for minutes or hours. Brownouts  commonly occur either by accident or intentional, for example, when used for emergency load reduction to avert a full blown a blackout.     Common signs of a brownout are      

• flickering lights

• rapid switching on/off of appliances

• sudden computer and internet failure

 Usually harmless, brownouts nevertheless can damage your equipment so when you notice rapidly flickering lights, act immediately and unplug your computers, routers, TV, devices being charged, all appliances etc. During a Brownout, as soon as you notice fluctuations (i.e. when the lights start flickering badly)  

• switch off and unplug computers, TVs, printers, routers, mobile phones, tablets or any other devices that are plugged in and/or charging

• reduce your power consumption: switch off anything you do not need

• be ready for a blackout in case your supply fails to stabilise 

 

Preparedness for a Power Cut – follow these 10 top tips

Know your supplier and how to contact them. Suppliers often host a live power outage map and provide information and support also on twitter. The new emergency number for power cuts is 105 see guidance from your supplier; i.e. UK Power Networks’ Domestic and Business

• make an Emergency Plan discuss with your family, involve your children (for example google for Peppa Pig video “The Powercut”)

• make a checklist/map of all your electrical items that need turning OFF in case of a power cut

• use fluorescent or photo luminescent tags or tape for critical markers

• if you use crucial medical equipment requiring electricity, put yourself on your suppliers priority register

• alternative communications: keep a plug-in cord telephone for emergencies that does not need electricity; stock spare batteries and power packs for mobile devices

• alternative power: ranges from power generators to UPS devices (~ 1 hour), batteries and hand-crank or solar operated devices; more see generators

• keep a fully stocked Emergency Kit that suits your purposes, also see Survival Kit List

• Light: start with versatile glowsticks and head torches that keep your hands free, avoid using candles (fire hazard)

• during the cold season, heating / warmth: stock emergency blankets and self-heating food, consider Water Purification and an Emergency Kettle to provide hot water

 

What to do during a Power Cut – NEW! CALL 105*

Is it just you? Check your fuse box to see if any have tripped – there could be a problem with your property’s wiring and you may need to call an electrician. If your neighbor is also affected, then call your local distribution company to find out if it’s a network problem. Normally, power cuts are locally or regionally based

• switch OFF all appliances and equipment that may have been in use before the interrupt

• leave one light switched on to know when the power is restored

• secure your property; bells and alarms may not work during the outage (manual warning)

• Food, fridges and freezers: keep the doors closed. Most food keeps for several hours but check our blog Emergency Preparedness and Food Safety in the UK and your fridge/freezer manufacturer’s information; also see refrigerated food safety guidelines and check out our post on modern emergency food storage and on Emergency Food & Water

• Health > in winter, stay warm. Wear additional layers, a hat and gloves and keep active to prevent hypothermia (how to prepare for severe winter). In summer, stay cool, rest and take plenty of fluids (how to prepare for a heatwave)

 

What to do when Power is restored

• check all your equipment and appliances

• only gradually turn your equipment and appliances back on, keeping an eye on possible fluctuations

• check and and reset all timer switches; i.e. water heating, gas or oil central heating systems, electric clocks

Additional useful resources to understand what happens, the consequences of power cuts and what you must plan and prepare for and how to prepare for and cope with power outages:

• list of major power outages wiki

• electric safety HSE

• will your landline work during a power cut? Ofcom

• BBC 2003 – Powercut, what was your experience?; Anger over power melt down

• NEW UCLIRDR/LondonPrepared guidelines (09/10/2017)
  

  Cascading Effects and Escalations in Wide-Area Power Failures

   

 Be prepared, not scared. Have a good week.

Monika | @MonikaAlMufti 

This page is also accessed by https://evaq8.co.uk/blog/preparedness-for-powercuts-brownouts-and-blackouts Tweet  thank you for sharing and helping raise awareness for Emergency Preparedness!

South Australia’s #blackout explained https://t.co/BTB7h3h7Og #blackstart #powercut #prepared Day6#30days30waysUK #businesscontinuity

— EVAQ8 Emergency Kits (@EVAQ8_news) September 29, 2016

 

Don’t be left in the dark. There’s a brand new number to call if you have a power cut: 105. https://t.co/ZdQ7dIMLSS pic.twitter.com/RVlS6Tfwip

— Energy Networks (@energynetworks) September 6, 2016

For more EVAQ8 blog simply use the right hand navigation. For emergency kits and practical resources use the top navigation. For FREE resources head over to our Preparedness Hub and find out why we use humour. If you like this post, please share it to help raise awareness for Emergency and Disaster Preparedness. Thank you!

Find EVAQ8 on social media, like and follow us!

     

Why getting the power back on in Florida could take weeks https://t.co/NtQSPH4FJO

— The New York Times (@nytimes) September 13, 2017

 

Day 17: The situation is still very, very dire in Puerto Rico. 88% w/o power 44% w/o water 56% w/o phone service 42% of banks closed — Eric Holthaus (@EricHolthaus) October 7, 2017

Essential reading: “Are we ready if the lights go out?” by @LordTobySays https://t.co/DhRT8xZMtn #preparedness #businesscontinuity pic.twitter.com/mQc2nlGlyo

— EVAQ8 Emergency Kits (@EVAQ8_news) September 25, 2018