Outage prep questions, answered plainly

How much cash should I keep at home for an outage?

There's no single right number. Start with enough for three days of essentials for your household, then build toward a week. Ready.gov says to keep small bills on hand because ATMs and credit cards may not work in a disaster, just when you need supplies, fuel or food. Work out your number with How much cash to keep at home, then see cash boxes in the Shop →

What happens if card networks go down for several days?

Tap, chip, and phone payments stop working at many stores. Some businesses close; others go cash-only. Your money is still in the bank, but without cash on hand you may not be able to spend it, even on groceries. See Card readers down? What to do at the register and Card networks down, or see cash boxes in the Shop →

Is my money safe if my bank's app or ATMs stop working?

In the US, deposits are insured up to $250,000 per depositor, per FDIC-insured bank, for each account ownership category, in the event of a bank failure, and NCUA-insured credit unions cover members the same way. The problem in an outage is access, not safety. See Bank app or ATM down.

How much water should I store?

Ready.gov says store at least one gallon per person per day for several days, and warns that in very hot temperatures your water needs can double. Start with three days and work toward seven. Add extra for pets and anyone who is pregnant or ill. Replace water you bottle yourself every six months. How much water to store, and how →

Do I need a generator in an apartment?

Almost certainly not. A fuel generator gives off carbon monoxide, and CDC says to run one only outside, more than 20 feet from windows, doors and vents. That rules out many apartment balconies. A power bank covers phones and radios. A battery power station runs things with a regular plug, like a laptop for work. See Power bank vs power station.

If someone relies on powered medical equipment, Ready.gov says to plan with their medical provider, and ask the device maker how much power it draws.

Power bank or portable power station: which do I need?

A power bank charges phones and small devices several times and fits in a bag. A power station is larger and has regular outlets for a laptop, a light or a small fan. Most households need a power bank first, because Ready.gov calls your phone a vital tool for emergency alerts. Add a power station only for a specific job. See Power bank vs power station.

For a medical device, plan with your clinician and the device maker first.

What kind of radio should I get?

A radio that receives the NOAA weather band and runs without wall power, on batteries, a hand crank, or both. AM/FM adds news when the internet is down, and an alert radio with SAME can sound an alarm for warnings in your county. Not every radio has all of these, so check which bands and features each one lists. See Do you need a NOAA weather radio? for what to look for, including SAME county alerts. See radios in the Shop →

How do I get news if the internet and cell service are down?

Use a battery radio. The FCC suggests one for emergency broadcasts when the power is out. Check building bulletin boards, and talk to neighbors. Before an outage, write down your local stations and your city's alert system. See radios in the Shop → More: Internet and cell down? How to get news and reach family.

What documents should I keep on paper?

Copies of IDs, insurance cards, prescriptions, your lease or deed, and a list of key phone numbers. Keep them together in a fire-resistant document pouch or box. Don't write down passwords or full account numbers. See what to keep on paper →

What food is best for a multi-day outage?

Food your household already eats that doesn't need cooking or refrigeration: nut butters, canned beans and fish, crackers, cereal, dried fruit. Keep a manual can opener. In a power outage, a closed fridge keeps food safe for only up to 4 hours, so eat perishables first, then switch to the pantry. For a 3-day plan, see No-cook meals for a power outage.

Is an AI failure really a risk to payments?

It's one of several possible causes we use as a teaching scenario. Payments and apps increasingly depend on shared automated software, so a single failure can spread widely. The same preparation covers it as covers any card or internet outage. See Automation cascade.

Do you sell survival kits?

No prebuilt "survival" megakits. We link to individual everyday items on Amazon, each tied to a specific outage job, so you only buy what you're missing.