How to Prepare for Storms, Power Outages and Other Emergencies
Getting New Hampshire's emergency alerts, keeping supplies at home and in the car, staying safe in a power outage or winter storm, and where to find a warm place or help.
Checked against its sources October 24, 2026.
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@misc{guides-storms-and-emergencies, title = {How to Prepare for Storms, Power Outages and Other Emergencies}, howpublished = {Granite Record}, url = {https://graniterecord.org/guides/storms-and-emergencies}, note = {Accessed 25 Oct. 2026} }
At a Glance
Sign up for NH Alerts, the state’s official emergency alerts, and keep enough food, water and supplies at home to last several days. In a storm or a power outage, never run a generator, grill or camp stove indoors, and never heat your home with a gas stove or oven: carbon monoxide can kill. If you need a warm place or other help, call 2-1-1. In an emergency, call 911.
- Sign up for NH Alerts, and learn what a watch and a warning mean.
- Keep supplies for several days at home, and a kit in your car.
Has the power gone out?
- YesKeep the refrigerator and freezer closed. Use a generator only outdoors.
- You need a warm placeCall 2-1-1, or ask your town about warming centers.
Step by Step
Get alerts
NH Alerts is New Hampshire’s official emergency notification system. It sends alerts about local weather, evacuations, AMBER Alerts, hazardous materials and other emergencies by phone call, text message, email or app. Create an account to choose how you are reached; to get text messages, add your mobile number as a text (SMS) contact. Or download the Genasys Protect app, which shows alerts where you are without an account. Anyone who lives, works, owns property or often visits where NH Alerts is used can sign up, and you can add the places your family lives.
ReadyNH.gov is the state’s official source of information during emergencies, with what to do before, during and after floods, extreme cold and heat, power outages, winter storms and other disasters.
The National Weather Service’s alerts tell you how serious a storm is:
- Advisory: be aware. Winter weather is expected; be ready for difficult driving.
- Watch: be prepared. A significant storm is possible.
- Warning: take action. Dangerous weather is coming or has begun. Under a winter storm warning, find shelter right away and delay travel.
A NOAA Weather Radio and the Emergency Alert System on radio and TV give alerts too.
Sign up for NH AlertsReadyNHWatches and warnings (National Weather Service)
Keep supplies at home and in the car
After an emergency you may need to manage on your own for several days. A basic kit includes:
- water, one gallon per person per day, for several days;
- at least a several-day supply of food that will not spoil, and a manual can opener;
- a flashlight, a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, and extra batteries;
- a first aid kit and a whistle to signal for help;
- a cell phone with chargers and a backup battery.
Add what your household needs, such as medicines. Store it all in one or two containers that are easy to carry, and replace anything that expires.
In the car, keep jumper cables, sand, a flashlight, warm clothes, blankets, bottled water and snacks, and keep the gas tank full.
In a power outage
- Carbon monoxide can kill, and you cannot see or smell it. Use a generator, camp stove or grill only outdoors, at least 20 feet from windows, doors and attached garages. Never heat your home with a gas stove or oven. Have carbon monoxide detectors with battery backup on every level of your home.
- Keep the refrigerator and freezer closed. A refrigerator keeps food cold for about 4 hours, and a full freezer for about 48 hours. Throw out food that has been at 40 degrees or warmer for 2 hours or more: when in doubt, throw it out.
- Plan ahead for medicines that need refrigeration and for medical devices that need power.
- If it is very cold or very hot, go to a place in your community with power. Ask local officials which warming or cooling places are open.
In a winter storm
- Stay off the roads if you can. If you are trapped in your car, stay inside it.
- Avoid overexertion when shoveling or walking in snow, which can bring on a heart attack.
- Frostbite causes loss of feeling and color in the face, fingers and toes. Go to a warm room and soak in warm water; do not massage the skin or use a heating pad.
- Hypothermia, a body temperature below 95 degrees, is an emergency. Go to a warm room, warm the center of the body first, and keep dry and wrapped in warm blankets, including the head and neck.
If you need a warm place or other help
Call 2-1-1, at any hour, for shelters, warming places, utility help and other services near you. In an emergency, call 911.
If you are running out of heating fuel or have no heat, call your community action agency: fuel assistance can arrange an emergency delivery. The guide to help with heating and electric bills has the agencies.
Who Can Help
2-1-1 New Hampshire, at any hour, for shelters, warming places and other help near you, and your town or city for local warming centers and storm information. In an emergency, call 911.