This 7-day blackout scenario draws from a real experience with a prolonged power outage. It occurred during a period when supply chain issues and labor shortages made it difficult for utility companies to fix the electrical grid. Here’s how to survive the first 7 days of a power outage.
These journal entries and insights aim to help you prepare and fine-tune your approach if you ever face a week without power in your own life.
Day 1 of Blackout 
The news says the ice storm knocked out power for the eastern third of the city. They estimate it’ll take several days to restore the grid. Since I live at the end of the road near the wilderness park, I’m guessing we’ll be one of the last to get power back.
Not knowing how long the water pressure would last this far down the line, I filled the bathtub and every jug I could find. It should be enough to flush the toilet and clean up for a few days.
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While others rushed out panic-buying, I stayed home working on the house. I hope that decision doesn’t come back to haunt me. By late afternoon, when everyone returned from the stores, the water pressure seemed to drop completely.
I tried using my phone as a hotspot for the laptop, but there was no signal. Looks like the blackout has knocked out the cell towers too.
I dug out the flashlights and power station from the camping gear. Thankfully, there is still a 77% charge left. Good thing I recharged it after our last trip!
Notes:
Lithium-ion batteries lose about 3 to 5% of their charge each month. If they run completely out of charge, they can get damaged. That’s why it’s smart to fully charge your power station after every camping trip.
If you rely on municipal water, you never know how long the pressure will hold during an outage. Keeping a dozen large water jugs ready or filling the bathtub right away ensures you’ll have water for washing, drinking, and flushing the toilet.
Day 2 of Blackout 
The fridge didn’t stay cold as long as I hoped. I moved what I could to the chest freezer. After that, we had a big cookout to use up the thawed meat. I used the charcoal grill to save on propane.
The house got colder than I expected. So, I had everyone sleep in the downstairs family room together. We tried one of those ceramic pot candle heaters you see online, but it didn’t work well. Instead, I hooked up the sunflower heater I use for ice fishing. It kept the living room warm enough.
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Last night, I used the power station to run some lights and a fan for white noise. By morning, it was down to 48%. I connected it to the 100-watt solar panel, but it’s only charging a little bit at a time.
Notes
A refrigerator usually stays cold for just 4 to 6 hours. A freezer might last 24 to 36 hours, but a well-packed chest freezer can keep food cold for up to 72 hours. A 300-watt-hour power station won’t run large appliances for long. It’s better suited for small lights and fans.
If you use a propane heater indoors, always set up a carbon monoxide detector nearby. Only run the heater during the coldest parts of the night to conserve fuel and stay safe.
Day 3 of Blackout
I managed to make coffee by boiling water on the old charcoal grill. I poured it slowly over the coffee maker grounds. It felt great to get a bit of normalcy back, and my headache finally went away.
The kids are cranky now. I guess the “camping at home” idea isn’t fun for them anymore. They’ve been out of their routine for too long. I rigged up the camping shower kit in the upstairs bathroom. Heating water on the grill gave everyone a chance for a quick, warm shower.
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Tonight, I’ll hook the power station to my old laptop so we can watch a movie together. Hopefully, that’ll lift everyone’s spirits.
Notes
Morale tends to drop after three days in a blackout. Small comforts can make a big difference. Set up a simple camping shower at home with a budget-friendly solar shower to keep everyone clean. Spend time together with a favorite board game or just relax outside as a family. These little moments of connection are especially good for kids, helping them feel more secure.
Day 4 of Blackout
The dog startled us in the middle of the night, barking at something outside. I checked but didn’t see anyone or anything. The news mentioned the utility company might restore power in a day or two, which was a relief.
I finally got the power station fully charged, but it took nearly two hours. Now, we’ll have to be careful and use it wisely.
Notes
It looks like the neighbor scored a big generator and is running it in his garage. I traded him some toilet paper and a thawed ham to get my power station recharged. By day 4, you or your neighbors are bound to run low on something.
This is also when all the frozen food starts to thaw, which makes it a perfect time to trade. However, it’s also when unprepared people might start looking for opportunities to loot.
Building strong relationships with your neighbors has definite security benefits during times like these.
Day 5 of Blackout
Getting the garage door open was a hassle, but I needed the SUV to search for supplies.
The stores were out of big exchange tanks, and U-Haul was out of propane. Luckily, I found a four-pack of 1-pound propane cylinders at a truck stop. That should be enough to get us through the coldest part of the night.
I also came across a 150-watt inverter that plugs into the SUV. Now, we can recharge the laptop and all our devices without using the power station! Why didn’t I think of this sooner?
Notes
Propane supplies can run out quickly during a long blackout. Truck stops are great for finding convenience items you might need for car camping, like propane and electric adapters. Most people don’t think to check there after the big box stores are out of stock, but it’s worth a visit.
One-pound propane cylinders are often easier to find and hold around 21,000 BTUs. That’s enough to power a Sunflower heater for about 4 hours.
Day 6 of Blackout
The rainstorm last night filled the garden rain barrels to the brim. While it’s not drinkable, it’s enough for flushing toilets and taking showers. We grilled whatever we could salvage from the freezer, and the dog got the leftovers.
The internet came back for a few hours, but the signal dropped again later. We made tuna mac and cheese on the grill and a delicious three-bean salad with canned beans.
Charging my laptop from the SUV has been a lifesaver. It conserves the power station and lets us enjoy a family movie night.
Notes
Time and a positive mindset will help you adapt to any survival situation. You’ll start finding new ways to make the most of resources you once took for granted.
By day 6 of a power outage, fresh meat and dairy are either gone or spoiled. Canned meats like tuna and SPAM are great protein options.
Day 7 of Blackout
The lights blinked on for a few seconds this morning. The whole house started beeping and dinging, then went black again. Some of the circuit breakers in the panel were flipped. I’m not sure if they were like that before.
I reset all the circuit breakers and turned everything off. I unplugged the refrigerator and the TV, leaving just the bathroom light on. The power came back on at 5:30 and stayed on. None of the circuit breakers tripped. I think we’re finally out of the darkness, but the stores are still pretty much empty.
Notes
Power surges are common after a 7-day blackout. The grid often flickers and fails again when so many devices suddenly come back on. To avoid damage, it’s best to unplug sensitive electronics like TVs, desktop computers, and refrigerators at the start of a blackout.
Even once power is restored, it may take days or weeks before local stores are fully restocked.
Surviving the first 7 days of a blackout starts with using your resources wisely. Maintaining a positive, growth-focused mindset is key. Reinventing creature comforts and staying connected with family and neighbors helps keep morale up.
Your resources will change over time. Perishable foods won’t last long, so eat them first or trade them with neighbors for needed supplies. If you need to resupply, check mom-and-pop hardware stores and truck stops. They’re more likely to have reserves when big box stores run out.
When the 7-day blackout ends, power surges are likely. Unplugging sensitive appliances like refrigerators and TVs can protect them from surge damage.
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