Five Ways to Stay Powered During a California Blackout

Five Ways to Stay Powered During a California Blackout

The state of California is no stranger to rolling blackouts. In 2020, the state saw its first rolling blackouts in 19 years. Almost a million Californians lost power over two evenings in August alone. While different variables contributed to these blackouts, climate change was one of the primary causes. Thankfully, there are ways to stay connected in California during a power outage. 

Have A Backup Plan For When The Power Goes Out

There's not much you can do when the electricity goes off unless you have a backup plan. Having a plan ensures you know what to do when the lights dip out, and it keeps you from panicking when your appliances no longer work. Your emergency plan can range from having food and water ready to having a home backup system in place. We recommend being as prepared as possible with all of the above. 

A home backup system from Goal Zero can keep your fridge running, lanterns charged, and essential appliances powered, ensuring that your food doesn't spoil and your house stays as lit as possible. In critical situations in the cold or extreme heat, your Goal Zero solar generator or Yeti can run a space heater or fans to regulate the temperature in your house. 

Having a plan in place and a Goal Zero home backup system on your side can make all the difference when it comes to staying safe and comfortable in a power outage. 

Goal Zero Yeti Portable Power Station in the kitchen with man in the background.

Stay Informed About Blackouts 

If you live in parts of California that are prone to hurricanes, earthquakes, and other severe weather situations, you need to be ready for the power to go out. Severe weather can cause extended outages, leaving you without power for days. Stay up to date with the weather forecast and have a game plan ready for inevitable power blackouts. 

Keep A Full Tank Of Gas In Your Car In Case You Need To Evacuate

A full tank of gasoline is one of the most important things you can have in your car during a blackout. If you need to evacuate, having a full tank will ensure that you can get to your destination safely. It's also a good idea to keep spare gas in your trunk if you run out of fuel. Having a full gas tank will also help keep your car running smoothly and prevent any engine problems. 

Stock Up On Essentials

One of the most important things you can do to prepare for a blackout is to stock up on food and water for at least 72 hours. Having enough is critical if the power goes out for an extended period of time. Make sure to pick up some non-perishable food items from your local grocery and a few gallons of water, too.

Especially when the extreme weather season starts, it's important to remember to store up essentials like power for blackouts and conserve batteries for gadgets. By preparing now, you can avoid the headache and stress of being caught unprepared. Invest in a backup power source like a generator or portable solar panel. Make sure your gadgets are fully charged before a storm hits. Keep a supply of batteries on hand for flashlights and other devices.

If a blackout does occur, you should do a few things to stay safe. First, if possible, you should try to stay in your home. This will help you avoid areas that may be dangerous due to the lack of power. While blackouts are not fun, they can be managed with preparation.

Goal Zero Yeti 500X Portable Power Station powering an Apple MacBook Pro being used by an adult.

Make Sure You Have Standby Power For Your Essential Appliances

Don't wait until it's too late to buy a Goal Zero power station, solar generator, or home backup system. Our power solutions allow you to keep your home running smoothly in a power outage or natural disaster. You'll be glad to have one on hand in an emergency, no matter what. 

Goal Zero home backup generators are cost-efficient and effective. We recommend our solar generators when you don't know how long it will be until power is restored. They tap into a renewable energy source (sunlight) that keeps your home running, and your Yeti charged.

Use our wattage calculator to figure out how much power you will need for your home. As a general rule of thumb, larger appliances and electronics will need to be powered by one of our larger Yetis or home backup systems. Small items like lanterns, laptops, and portable projectors can all charge with one of our smaller Yetis. 

Goal Zero Yetis check all the boxes. With a high wattage output and long-lasting battery, the Yeti is perfect for running large appliances and electronics. You'll never have to worry about running out of gas, and you can take it with you wherever you wander. 

Goal Zero Yeti 200X Portable Power Station sitting in a desk inside a house.

Stay Powered Anytime, Anywhere.

Goal Zero's range of home backup systems and solar generators keep your home running when the power goes out. They're an essential part of your emergency prep plan, and they do all of the work when it comes to keeping you and your family safe and comfortable at home in a power outage.

 

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