If you live way out in the country or in a storm prone area, you may have experience with occasional or even frequent power outages. Since my area encompasses both circumstances, I deal with this situation frequently. There are ways to be prepared for these occasions and certain steps that need to be taken.
First, make sure the problem isn’t internal. I wouldn’t advise checking the electrical box while it is still storming, but when things settle down, make sure no circuit breakers have been tripped. I once called the power company before checking, only to realize that only half the power was out in my house. Embarrassing.
Once you find that the problem is not internal, call the power company to report the outage. It is important to call to make sure they are aware of it so they can assemble a team right away to restore power. Don’t worry about whether or not they are already aware of the problem. If so, they will let you know.
It also makes sense to keep candles on hand, although using candles is not advised during severe storms. If the power is out for some other reason, candles will come in handy. It’s best to use those that are in glass containers or purchase glass “hurricane” covers to improve safety.
Another thing to keep in mind is that most telephones require electricity, at least to the base, so your phone might not work during a power outage. It is a good idea to keep an older model phone around for emergencies. Even if you have a cell phone, it might not be charged when you need it. Unplug your regular telephone from the phone jack and plug in the other model.
A modern well may mean that you won’t have water during a power outage, so be sure to keep a few gallons of drinking water on hand. You might even consider purchasing a gas powered generator if power outages in your area are frequent.