What to Do During Typhoon-Related Power and Water Outages? A Guide to Preparedness and Safety

Typhoons often cause widespread power and water outages. Prepare by storing water and charging devices in advance, use emergency power sources correctly, and stay alert to electrical hazards. This guide helps you cope with confidence.

Why Typhoons Often Cause Power Outages

Strong winds can knock down utility poles, snap power lines, or cause trees to fall on lines. Flooding of substations and other electrical facilities also leads to outages. When typhoon impacts are severe, repair crews must wait for winds and rain to subside before starting work, meaning power outages can last from several hours to several days.

Preparations Before a Power Outage

• Fully charge your mobile phone and power banks
• Prepare flashlights and sufficient batteries (LED flashlights are preferred for their longer battery life)
• Set your refrigerator to the coldest setting; minimize opening the door during an outage. Frozen food can typically remain safe for 24–48 hours
• Boil and store drinking water in advance; fill thermoses
• Fill bathtubs and buckets with water for daily use (power outages often coincide with water outages, as water pumps require electricity)

Safety Don'ts During a Power Outage

• Do not use candles for lighting – With windows and doors tightly closed during a typhoon, the risk of fire from candles is significantly higher than usual. Prioritize using flashlights and emergency lights.
• Do not use fuel-powered generators indoors – Exhaust fumes contain carbon monoxide, which can be fatal in enclosed spaces. Generators must be placed outdoors in well-ventilated areas.
• Stay away from downed power lines – If you see hanging or broken wires while outside, keep a distance of at least 8 meters and report them to the power company immediately. Electrified water poses an even greater danger.
• Unplug high-power appliances – This prevents damage from voltage surges when power is restored. Leave one light switch on so you know immediately when power returns.

Coping with Water Outages

• Storing water before the typhoon is crucial: reserve 3 liters of drinking water per person per day for at least 3 days
• Use stored non-potable water to flush toilets
• Water may appear cloudy when supply is first restored; let it run for a while before use. Always boil drinking water

After Power Is Restored

Check household appliances for normal operation. If you smell burning or find water in outlets, turn off the main circuit breaker before investigating. Do not refreeze meat that has thawed in the refrigerator; consume it promptly or discard it.