What to Do When You Lose Power in Portland

Losing power is unsettling—whether it’s for a few hours or several days. For Portland residents, power outages are becoming an increasingly common issue due to weather events and an aging power grid that struggles to keep up with modern challenges. But being unprepared for an outage has implications that go way beyond inconvenience.

Our guide is here to empower you with practical advice for managing, overcoming, and thriving through power outages in Portland. You’ll discover what to do once the lights go out, how to prepare for future outages, and essential resources specific to Portland to keep you safe, secure, and comfortable.

Understanding Portland’s Power Grid and Outages   

Portland’s electric grid is a complex network carrying power to hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses. Unfortunately, it wasn’t designed to withstand severe weather patterns that are becoming more frequent in our region. 

Many power outages in Oregon are caused by weather-related events, including windstorms, wildfires, snow, and ice. For example, a windstorm last winter left over 100,000 residents in Oregon and Southwest Washington without power.  In February of 2021, a series of ice storms took out power for 421,649 PGE customers. A windstorm in December of 2022, left more than 200,000 without power. In a 2021 survey of Deptment of Energy statistics, Oregon was the number ten state with the most power outages.

Experts predict power outages in Portland will rise in the coming years due to increasingly severe weather patterns and the aging grid’s inability to adapt.  A strong message for all of us to be prepared.

The Impact of Power Loss 

Beyond just the inconvenience, prolonged outages threaten food spoilage, disrupt work routines, and jeopardize safety—especially when security systems and critical medical equipment no longer work.  Without preparation, outages leave homes vulnerable to theft, families disconnected from critical services, and businesses stalled in their tracks. 

If there’s one takeaway here, it’s this: being prepared is no longer optional. 

Preparation for Portland Power Outages 

Preparing for a power outage empowers you and your family to stay resilient during challenges. Making smart decisions now will help ease the stress of being without power later.

Build an Emergency Kit 

Every Portland home should have a fully stocked emergency kit prepared ahead of time for both minor and extended outages. Include the following essentials:

• Flashlights and extra batteries 
• A battery-powered radio or NOAA Weather Radio 
• First-aid supplies 
• Non-perishable food and bottled water (enough for 3 days per person at minimum. Two weeks is recommended.) 
• Pet food for up to two weeks
• Backup phone chargers (solar or hand-crank) 
• Cash (ATMs and card readers won’t work during outages) 
• Medications and hygiene items for two weeks
• An indoor safe portable stove for cooking
• Indoor safe radiant heater to keep warm
• Hand and feet warmers
• Carbon monoxide and fire detectors with battery backup

Create a Family Plan 

• Identify an accessible, safe space or meeting point. 
• Teach family members how to safely disconnect appliances to prevent surges when the power returns. 
• Remember to unplug appliances like stoves and irons to make sure they aren’t on when power is restored.
• Practice emergency evacuation routes. 
• Understand how to keep areas ventilated when using indoor stoves
• Have a waste and hygiene plan
• Be prepared to administer first aid and how to treat different injuries
• Makes plans for feeding and watering livestock, especially if on a well

What to Do When the Power Goes Out 

1. Stay Safe 

Check for fallen power lines around your property. Stay at least 30 feet away and report them immediately to PGE Emergency Line at 1-800-743-5000. 

Use flashlights instead of candles to prevent fire hazards. 

2. Preserve Food 

Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible. Food should stay cold in a fully stocked fridge for about four hours, while items in a freezer may stay frozen for 24–48 hours. 

Use a thermometer to monitor food safety — toss anything over 40°F. 

3. Unplug Appliances 

Avoid damage to electronics by disconnecting devices like computers and TVs to prevent surging. 

4. Stay Connected 

Check Portland General Electric’s Outage Map at portlandgeneral.com/outages. 

Report outages through PGE’s Outage Reporting Line at 1-503-464-7777. 

5. Check on Your Neighbors 

Especially for older community members or those with disabilities, make sure they have adequate support. 

Surviving a Prolonged Power Outage 

Most power outages are short – just a few hours – but in extreme weather or natural disasters the power can be out for days or weeks.

Stay Warm in the Winter 

Portland winters can be cold during an outage. To stay warm:

• Go to the warmest room in your home and layer up with multiple warm blankets and winter clothing. 
• Use safe, alternative heating sources like propane heaters (but only in well-ventilated spaces!). 

Stay Cool in the Summer 

If the power goes out during a heat wave:

• Stay in the coolest room in your house and close doors to trap the cooler air. 
• Visit city-run cooling centers, especially if temperatures are extreme. 

Leverage Community Resources 

Portland offers various community programs to aid residents during long outages:

• Multnomah County’s Emergency Assistance Program provides temporary shelter and assistance. 
• Local libraries may serve as community hubs with power and Wi-Fi access. 
• Follow the Portland Bureau of Emergency Management (PBEM’s) Twitter feed for live updates. 

Proactive Steps You Can Take Today 

Few things are more empowering than knowing you’re prepared. Investing time and effort now could save you significant stress and discomfort during an outage. Take these steps today:

1. Put together or update your emergency kit. 
2. Share this guide with your family and community members. 
3. Bookmark important local resources like PGE’s Outage Map and emergency contacts. 

If Portland’s history with power outages has taught us anything, it’s this—you can never be too prepared. Stay informed, plan ahead, and rest easy knowing you’re ready for whatever storm might come your way. 

Types of Generators

When it comes to home generators, there are a few different options available, each with its own advantages and considerations. Here are two common types to consider:

1. Portable Generators:

• Portable generators are versatile and can be moved around to different areas of the home or even taken on outdoor adventures.
• They are typically more affordable upfront compared to whole home generators.
• However, portable generators have limited power capacity and may only be able to handle powering a few essential appliances or devices. They are also dependent on how much fuel you have on hand.

2. Whole Home Generators:

• Whole home generators, as the name suggests, are designed to power your entire home during an outage.
• They are permanently installed outside your home and are connected to your existing fuel source, such as propane or natural gas.
• Whole home generators have a higher power capacity and can provide electricity to all essential appliances and systems, including HVAC, lighting, refrigeration, and more.
• They offer the convenience of automatic operation, automatically detecting power outages and restoring power within seconds.
• With a whole home generator, you can enjoy uninterrupted comfort and peace of mind during extended power disruptions.

It’s important to assess your specific needs, energy requirements, and budget when deciding between portable and whole home generators. While portable generators provide flexibility, whole home generators offer a comprehensive solution to ensure your home remains powered, keeping you and your loved ones safe and comfortable during any outage.

Get a Whole Home Generator in Portland

When there is a power outage being prepared is the key to staying safe and comfortable. There is probably no single appliance you will be grateful for more than a home generator.  It can provide you with electricity for days on end, until the power is restored.

Jacobs Heating & Air Conditioning can install a home generator that fits your home and lifestyle so your life doesn’t stop when the power goes out.

No matter what you need, we’re always just a phone call away.