Building a backup power plan as storms get stronger and outages last longer

(NewsUSA) - In many communities, the conversations surrounding storm preparedness have shifted from “if” the power will go out to “when,” “how often” and “for how long.” In the past decade alone, the United States has experienced twice as many weather-related outages as it did in the early 2000s because of severe storms and the country’s aging, failing electrical grid. As the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season approaches, it is increasingly important for homeowners to have the option of self-sufficiency with a backup power plan in the event of severe weather.

For 2026, forecasters are predicting a relatively active Atlantic hurricane season as Colorado State University anticipates 13 named storms with six expected to become hurricanes. Two hurricanes are expected to reach major hurricane strength of a Category 3 or higher storm, which can result in significant loss of life and damage to property.

During the 2024 season, Hurricanes Milton and Helene caused roughly 9.5 million power outages and over $113 billion in damages. In 2025, though no hurricanes made landfall in the U.S., tropical storms severely impacted homeowners, especially in the Carolinas and along the East Coast.

“Backup power is something people think about in the middle of an outage, but by then, it’s too late,” said Kyle Raabe, President of Home Power Generation at Generac. “You don’t build a plan in the dark. The homeowners who are prepared are the ones who stay safe, comfortable and in control when the grid goes down.”

Experiencing an outage isn’t just a minor inconvenience - it can lead to a host of effects that negatively impact you and your loved ones.  Refrigerators full of food and important medicines could go bad. A home without climate control can quickly reach warm temperatures – especially in the hottest summer months. A lack of an active sump pump could leave basements vulnerable to flooding. For those with health or mobility needs, a loss of power can disrupt critical medical devices, home accessibility equipment and even limit the ability to safely move in or out of the home.

Selecting the Right Source of Backup Power

Generac’s power outage experts want you to know which types of backup power will be a fit for any outage situation you may encounter.

1. Portable Power Stations provide clean, quiet, emission-free power with no fumes or fuel. Simply recharging the unit when power returns keeps the generator prepped and ready for the next outage. They are best used to power smaller, specific devices, such as a kitchen appliance, laptop or phone.

2. Portable Generators come in a variety of options. Smaller units can be paralleled for additional power, and larger units can pair with a manual transfer switch to provide whole home backup. These types of generators must be fueled every 6-12 hours with gasoline or liquid propane. They are also great for additional non-emergency uses such as camping, tailgating and power job sites.

3. Whole Home Generators can provide power to an entire home and automatically kick in when utility power is lost whether you’re home or away. Generac models are offered in 10kW up to 28kW options to fit your home’s specific needs. If you have a Generac, even when you’re not at home you can monitor the generator's performance with Mobile Link from anywhere. No refueling is necessary if you attach the generator to a natural gas line or propane tank.

4. Solar + Storage units charge when solar power is available, and kick in automatically when an outage occurs. This type of system can power your whole home for a shorter duration or select circuits for longer. In addition to outage mitigation, a Solar + Storage unit captures solar and times the grid to use stored power when prices spike to help you reduce your energy costs.

Generac provides a free yearly guide on how you can keep yourself, your home and your family safe during hurricane season. If you’d like to read more on how to be prepared, please visit the Hurricane Preparedness Guide.