Tracking power outages in Northeast Ohio: See the latest outage updates and restoration estimates from FirstEnergy (2024)

FAQs

Can you flush the toilet when the power is out? ›

Depending on the amount of water remaining in the pipes, you might be able to flush your toilet several times while the power is out. Eventually, however, your tank won't fill up anymore because the pumps are down. When this happens, you will need to flush your toilet manually by pouring in a bucket of water.

Outages typically last 1-2 hours.

Even if you have an available water supply, showering during a power outage isn't recommended. This is because: After a short time, you won't have any hot water, as even gas water heaters require electricity to work. So your supply will likely still be limited.

Please call us at 1-800-611-1911 so we can assist you. If you received a notification from us about an outage in your area, enter your Outage Number above. You can find it on your notification. With a bit more information, we can help you retrieve more accurate outage data for your location.

Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to maintain the cold temperature. The refrigerator will keep food cold for about 4 hours if it is unopened. A full freezer will keep the temperature for approximately 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full) if the door remains closed.

Stock up on drinking and cooking water, and fill your bathtub as a source for buckets of water to flush your toilet until the power comes on. -Put your flashlights, matches, candles and lanterns in a spot that they will be easy to locate if the power goes out after dark.

Number of major blackouts by select state in the United States 2000-2023. Between 2000 and 2023, Texas was the leading U.S. state for major power outages, with almost 264 blackouts in the 23-year period. California followed, with 238 major power outages throughout the period under consideration.

The largest blackout in U.S. history by far was Hurricane Maria, which left hundreds of thousands of residents in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands without power for more than 100 days total. This was not only the biggest, but also the longest blackout in U.S. history.

Faucets and Sinks

Even without hot water, you may notice that your faucets still run fairly normally during a power outage. Homes that are connected to the local water supply should still have access to cold water. People who use an electric pump to draw water out of a well may temporarily lose access to water.

Use a solar heater: If you have a solar heater, you can use it to heat up water as long as there is sunlight. To use a solar heater, fill a black plastic container with water and place it in an area where it will receive direct sunlight. The water will absorb the heat from the sun and warm up.

How long will a water heater stay hot without power? ›

A water heater with a tank keeps a large reserve of heated water, but the water will only stay hot for so long. You may have an hour or two until that reserved hot water cools down. So yes, if you have a tank water heater and the power went out recently, you can probably still take a shower.

Use a receptacle voltage tester by plugging the device into the outlet. The lights on the device will come on to indicate the presence of a live electrical current. Test an electrical outlet with a non-contact voltage tester by holding the tester about an inch away from the short slot on the outlet.

Use a bucket of water (or two) to flush the toilet. It doesn't matter where you find the water, whether it's from water bottles or a friendly neighbor who can lend you some of theirs. You do not need to use the handle or empty the tank.

Power Outages and Safe Drinking Water

When the power goes out, water purification systems may fail and water may not be available or it can become contaminated. Your local health department can make specific recommendations for boiling or treating water in your area.

Lift the tank lid, which is usually detachable, and carefully place it aside. Find the flush valve at the bottom of the tank and manually lift it to release the water into the bowl.

If you have no water flowing into the tank via your plumbing, you can replicate its action in a very simple way. All you have to do is manually dump a bucket of water into the bowl, and you've got your flush.