In many communities, conversations about storm preparedness have shifted from “if” the power will go out to “when,” “how often,” and “for how long.” Over the past decade, the United States has experienced twice as many weather-related outages as in the early 2000s, driven by severe storms and an aging, failing electrical grid. As the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season approaches, having a backup power plan is increasingly important for homeowners seeking self-sufficiency during severe weather.
Forecasters predict a relatively active 2026 Atlantic hurricane season. Colorado State University anticipates 13 named storms, with six expected to become hurricanes. Two hurricanes are forecast to reach major hurricane strength—Category 3 or higher—which can cause significant loss of life and property damage. During the 2024 season, Hurricanes Milton and Helene caused roughly 9.5 million power outages and over $113 billion in damages. In 2025, though no hurricanes made landfall in the U.S., tropical storms severely impacted homeowners, especially in the Carolinas and along the East Coast.
“Backup power is something people think about in the middle of an outage, but by then, it’s too late,” said Kyle Raabe, President of Home Power Generation at Generac. “You don’t build a plan in the dark. The homeowners who are prepared are the ones who stay safe, comfortable and in control when the grid goes down.”
Experiencing an outage is more than a minor inconvenience; it can lead to spoiled food and medicines, loss of climate control—especially dangerous in summer heat—and basement flooding from an inactive sump pump. For those with health or mobility needs, a power loss can disrupt critical medical devices and home accessibility equipment, even limiting the ability to safely move in or out of the home.
Selecting the Right Source of Backup Power
Generac’s power outage experts highlight several options:
1. Portable Power Stations provide clean, quiet, emission-free power with no fumes or fuel. They recharge when power returns and are best for powering smaller devices like kitchen appliances, laptops, or phones.
2. Portable Generators come in various sizes. Smaller units can be paralleled for additional power, while larger units can pair with a manual transfer switch for whole-home backup. They require refueling every 6–12 hours with gasoline or liquid propane and are also useful for camping, tailgating, and job sites.
3. Whole Home Generators, such as Generac models from 10kW to 28kW, automatically kick in when utility power is lost, even when you’re away. They can be monitored remotely via Mobile Link. No refueling is necessary if connected to a natural gas line or propane tank.
4. Solar + Storage units charge from solar power and automatically activate during an outage. They can power your whole home for shorter periods or select circuits for longer durations. Additionally, they can help reduce energy costs by using stored power during price spikes.
Generac offers a free yearly guide on hurricane preparedness. For more information, visit the Hurricane Preparedness Guide.
