Western North Carolina (along with most of the state) is bracing for intense rain, which could cause power outages and flooding. These situations can create the “perfect storm” for food safety and home health risks. Knowing how to handle these situations can protect your family from illness and prevent the spread of harmful bacteria. I am also sharing a few tips from a recent experience with damage our home received during a storm.

Food Safety During Power Outages
When the power goes out, your refrigerator and freezer can only keep food safe for a limited time. Here’s how to manage your food:

• Keep the Doors Closed: During a power outage, your fridge will keep food cold for about 4 hours, while a full freezer can maintain safe temperatures for about 48 hours (24 hours if half-full). Keep the doors closed to maximize this time.
• Check Temperatures: Once the power is restored, check the temperature of your refrigerator and freezer. If the freezer is still 0°F or below and the refrigerator is 40°F or below, your food should be safe to keep.
• Know What to Toss: If food has been at a temperature above 40°F for more than 2 hours, it’s safer to discard it. This includes perishable items like meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and leftovers. Some foods that can be kept after exposure to warmer temperatures include hard cheeses, butter, jelly, and uncut fruits and vegetables.

Cleaning Up After a Flood
Floodwaters can carry harmful bacteria, chemicals, and other contaminants. It’s important to handle food and clean your home properly if floodwater has affected your property:

• Discard Contaminated Food: Any food that has come into contact with floodwater should be thrown away. This includes foods stored in non-waterproof packaging like cardboard, as well as canned goods that show signs of damage, such as swelling or leaks.
• Clean and Sanitize Surfaces: Wash surfaces, utensils, and cookware with hot, soapy water. After cleaning, sanitize them by using a solution of 1 tablespoon of unscented bleach mixed with 1 gallon of water. This is especially important for surfaces that come into contact with food, such as countertops and utensils.

Additional Tips:

• Avoid Taste Testing: Never taste food to check its safety. If you’re unsure, it’s best to throw it out.
• Stay Prepared: Having thermometers in your fridge and freezer and keeping a supply of ice or coolers can help you manage food safety during emergencies.
• For more information, visit trusted sources like NC State Extension’s Disaster. Information Center,  the EPA or the Partnership for Food Safety Education.

When storms hit, the impact can be more than just inconvenience—it can mean days without power, spoiled food, and costly repairs. A few weeks ago, a large Tupelo tree fell on our property, bringing down the power lines. We were without power for several days and ended up losing everything in both our fridge and freezer. If you ever find yourself in this situation where you have to replace the entire contents of your fridge, keep your receipts!

After talking with our insurance agent, we discovered that our homeowner’s insurance covered food losses. I was able to turn in a claim for the food and for the cost of hiring an electrician to restore power—on Labor Day weekend, no less! It also helped cover a good portion of the cost to remove the rest of the tree. This will vary depending on your insurance plan, but it’s definitely worth checking.

Knowing this, you can save yourself both stress and financial strain if a storm leaves you without power for an extended period.

Stay safe and be prepared! Make sure your batteries are charged, locate your lighters for those candles, charge up any power banks for electronic devices, and always, stay weather aware by monitoring local weather stations and reports. Personally, I recommend a hand-cranking AM/FM/NOAA unit like this one from Amazon.