When the Lights Go Out: Is Your Family Ready for a Winter Power Cut?

Power cuts are usually short-lived. Yet when the lights suddenly go out on a cold, wet evening, even a relatively brief interruption can affect heating, cooking, communications, medical equipment and the ability to travel. As Britain moves into autumn and winter, now is a sensible time to prepare—not because a nationwide power cut is expected, but because storms regularly cause local and regional power cuts.

What recent winters have shown us

There is no single, publicly accessible UK figure showing the exact number of separate power cuts during autumn and winter 2025–26. Electricity networks normally report individual faults, customers interrupted and customer-minutes lost rather than one national power-cut total. One incident can affect thousands of properties, so these figures should not be treated as interchangeable.

What we can say is that severe weather caused substantial disruption.

Storm Amy in October 2025 brought damaging winds to northern parts of the UK. In Scotland alone, SSEN reported restoring supplies to more than 67,000 customers while over 20,000 properties were still without power the following day.

This followed Storm Éowyn in January 2025, which demonstrated how severe a major windstorm can be. More than 285,000 homes and businesses lost electricity in Northern Ireland, while electricity networks across Great Britain also dealt with hundreds of thousands of affected customers.

Research presented to Parliament has identified extreme weather as the cause of the majority of prolonged electricity interruptions in the UK.

These were not nationwide failures of the electricity system. They were predominantly local and regional outages caused by trees, debris and high winds damaging distribution infrastructure. Nevertheless, for the family sitting in a cold, dark house, the practical consequences can feel very significant.

Does El Niño mean more UK storms are certain?

A very strong El Niño is now established and is expected to intensify through autumn and winter 2026–27. The World Meteorological Organization expects it to influence temperature and rainfall patterns around the world, with forecasts indicating an almost 100% likelihood that it will persist through February 2027.

However, El Niño does not provide a simple forecast of how many storms Britain will experience. Its influence on the North Atlantic interacts with the jet stream, the North Atlantic Oscillation and other atmospheric conditions.

The responsible conclusion is therefore not that Britain will definitely experience more power cuts. It is that there is enough potential for unsettled and disruptive weather to make modest household preparation worthwhile. The Met Office’s shorter-range forecasts and named-storm warnings will remain more useful than broad seasonal claims when assessing an immediate threat.

Ten things every family should keep for a power cut

These items are designed to make the first 24–72 hours safer and more manageable.

1. Battery-powered LED lanterns and torches

Keep at least one torch beside each adult’s bed and a lantern in a known central location. Head torches are particularly useful because they leave both hands free.

Avoid candles wherever possible. Open flames create an unnecessary fire risk, especially around children and pets.

2. Spare batteries

Store the correct batteries beside the equipment they power. Check them periodically for expiry dates, corrosion or leakage.

3. Charged power banks

Maintain enough capacity to recharge the household’s essential phones. Recharge power banks after use and check them every few months.

A simple car charger can provide an additional option, but never run a petrol or diesel vehicle inside a garage or enclosed area.

4. Battery or wind-up radio

Mobile networks and home broadband can become congested or stop working during a prolonged outage. A radio provides access to weather warnings and local information without relying on Wi-Fi.

5. Drinking water

Keep a sensible household supply in case pumps, water-treatment infrastructure or private water systems are affected. UK preparedness guidance recommends building up supplies gradually rather than panic-buying.

Remember additional water for babies, pets and anyone with increased medical needs.

6. Food that does not require cooking

Choose food your family already eats, including:

• Tinned meals, fish, beans and fruit
• Crackers, oatcakes and cereal bars
• Long-life milk
• Nut or seed spreads, where allergies permit
• Ready-to-eat meals
• Baby food or formula where required
• Include a manual tin opener.

7. Warm clothing, blankets and sleeping bags

Many modern heating systems require electricity even when the boiler itself uses gas or oil. Identify one room where the family can gather, close curtains and doors, and use layers to retain warmth.

8. Essential medicines and medical supplies

Maintain an appropriate supply of prescribed medication and regularly used consumables. Follow NHS and pharmacy advice about ordering—do not stockpile or allow medication to expire.

Keep an up-to-date paper list of medicines, doses, allergies and important clinical contacts.

9. A basic first-aid kit

Include dressings, plasters, antiseptic wipes, disposable gloves, a thermometer and any family-specific items. A first-aid kit does not replace professional help, but it can manage minor problems while services are under pressure.

10. A printed household emergency plan

Write down:

1. The national power cut helpline: 105
2. Your electricity network operator
3. Emergency contacts
4. School and childcare contacts
5. Medical-equipment providers
6. Medication details
7. A planned family meeting point

Paper information remains available when phones are flat or internet services fail. Official UK guidance also recommends teaching children how and when to call 999.

If your family uses an electric vehicle

An EV can be extremely useful during disruption, but only if it has sufficient charge. Consider adopting a winter minimum-charge rule. For example, aim not to leave the vehicle below 40% when severe weather is forecast. The appropriate level depends on your normal mileage, local conditions and access to alternative charging.

Before a storm, ensure you:

1. Charge earlier rather than waiting for the warning period.
2. Check nearby rapid chargers on more than one network.
3. Keep charging apps, cards and account details up to date.
4. Store a compatible public-charging cable if your vehicle requires one.
5. Plan an alternative route in case roads or charging locations are closed.
6. Remember that cold weather, heating and poor driving conditions can reduce range.

Avoid relying on the vehicle for unnecessary journeys during an outage.

Some EVs support vehicle-to-load or vehicle-to-home power. These features should only be used with approved equipment and in accordance with the vehicle and charger manufacturers’ instructions. Never connect a vehicle to household wiring using an improvised lead or “back-feed” arrangement.

If you need the car for an urgent medical journey, protecting its usable range should take priority over powering household appliances.

Families using electrically powered medical equipment

This requires a specific plan rather than simply buying a larger power bank. Contact your clinical team and equipment provider before an outage and establish:

1. How long the equipment’s internal battery will last.
2. Which approved backup batteries or power supplies can be used.
3. How often backup batteries must be tested.
4. Whether the equipment can be safely moved.
5. What to do if the outage outlasts the backup supply.
6. Which number provides technical help outside normal hours.
7. When the patient should relocate or seek emergency care.

Eligible households should join their electricity network’s free Priority Services Register. Registration can provide additional communication and support, but it does not guarantee an uninterrupted supply or instant restoration.

Keep all equipment charged and never substitute an unapproved generator, inverter or battery system. If essential equipment stops working and someone is in immediate danger, call 999.

What to do when the power goes off

First, determine whether the problem affects only your home. Check the consumer unit if it is safe to do so and look outside to see whether neighbouring properties and streetlights are also affected.

Then:

• Call 105 or use your network operator’s outage service.
• Use torches rather than candles.
• Keep fridge and freezer doors closed.
• Unplug sensitive appliances where appropriate.
• Leave one light switched on so you know when power returns.
• Check on vulnerable relatives and neighbours without putting yourself at risk.
• Never use a barbecue, camping stove or portable generator indoors or in an enclosed space because of fire and carbon-monoxide risks.

Prepared, not alarmed

Preparing for a power cut does not require an expensive survival kit. For most families, it means keeping a few dependable supplies together, charging equipment when severe weather is forecast and having a clear plan for children, transport and medical needs.

The aim is not to live in fear of the lights going out. It is to know that, if they do, your family can remain warm, informed and safe.

Ready to strengthen your family’s plan?

The Everyday Resilience Family Preparedness Planner helps you record essential contacts, household supplies, medical needs and the practical steps your family can take before disruption occurs.

View the planner on Etsy →

Has your family experienced a prolonged power cut? Share what helped you cope in the comments.