(BPT) - Key Takeaways
- Despite a less severe 2026 hurricane forecast, experiences from 2024 show it only takes one storm to cause prolonged power outages.
- Taking proactive steps for hurricane season is vital for anyone living in the Mid-Atlantic region, even far from the coast.
- Preparing for hurricane season means anticipating power outages.
- Be ready for outages with the modern alternative to gas generators: solar-powered Jackery Essential Home Backup generators.
If you live in a hurricane-prone area, you probably know what it's like to be without power for days. Food spoils, you can't use the CPAP machine that helps you breathe better at night, you have no way to safely store bottles of baby formula or breast milk, plus no AC or other appliances and electronics you rely on every day.
The just-released Atlantic Hurricane Season Outlook from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) brings welcome news: 2026 is predicted to be a below-normal season. However, it only takes one storm to cause outages for thousands (or millions) of households for several days, if not longer.
In 2024 alone, Hurricane Helene left 5.9 million customers without power across 10 states, Hurricane Milton left 3.4 million customers in Florida without power, and Hurricane Beryl left 2.6 million customers without power in Texas. In fact, some Houston-area residents were without power for over a week.
For anyone living in areas affected by hurricanes, even further inland, it's a good idea to take proactive steps to be better prepared for severe weather events.
Top ways to be ready for hurricane season
Exactly how you prep your home depends on whether you live in a house or apartment. But no matter your living situation, these steps are fundamental:
- Be ready to evacuate: Have "go bags" packed for your household so it won't take long to evacuate.
- Prepare to hunker down: As long as it's safe to stay put, ensure you have enough water, non-perishable food and a first aid kit.
- Take stock of energy needs: Which appliances, medical devices, etc. could you not do without for more than a day? This will help you make decisions about practical backup power solutions.
- Get a home generator that meets your needs: Choose the right backup power to keep your household safely running, no matter what Mother Nature throws your way.
The modern home cannot rely on the modern grid during a hurricane, and it doesn't have to.
How to prepare for a power outage
To ensure your family has the power they need to get through days or even weeks without power, consider the modern alternative to gas generators: Jackery's Essential Home Backup line. These solar generators are built to run indoors, with no fumes, and no worry about scrambling for fuel during an emergency or local fuel shortage.
Here are solar generator options to consider, depending on how much power your household needs:
Single rooms or apartments:
If you rent an apartment or just want a compact, portable solution for a single room, these two options can cool a room and keep your phone and critical devices running, with no electrician or installation required.
- HomePower 3000: Portable, apartment/renter-friendly backup solution that keeps essentials running for 1-2 days with 3072 watt hours (Wh) capacity, powering your fridge, Wi-Fi, fans and lights through extended outages.
- Solar Generator 2000 v2: Compact single-room backup solution with 2042Wh of LiFePO4 (LFP) capacity to keep your fridge, Wi-Fi and lights powered through a full-day outage. The 2200 watt (W) continuous output (4400W surge) easily handles your refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker and everyday essentials without tripping. The switch happens in under 20 milliseconds, so your router and computer stay online during blackouts.
Backup power for homes:
- Solar Generator 5000 Plus: Modular comprehensive home backup system with 5040Wh capacity and 7200W output. It's also expandable to 60 kilowatt hours (kWh), which is enough to keep your home running through an extended outage, not just overnight.
- HomePower 3600 Plus: Modular comprehensive home system for large appliance loads. Its 3584 Wh capacity and 3600W output delivers 15 hours to 9 days of backup power to run essential home appliances with ease, like refrigerators, medical devices, AC units and other essentials through multi-day outages.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What differentiates solar generators from gas generators?
Solar generators (also known as power stations) are indoor-safe, as there is no carbon monoxide risk. They are also quiet, involving no noise ordinance issues. No fuel runs are required. - How do you recharge a solar generator?
All Jackery solar backup systems are capable of recharging via solar panels, wall outlet or car port, or even via gas generator. Families can begin recharging as soon as the sun returns, without needing to run to a gas station (which are often out of fuel after major storms). - Where can I find Jackery home backup systems?
Jackery is available through major retailers like Costco, Home Depot, Lowe's, and Best Buy — and directly through Jackery.com and Jackery's Amazon page. To check out all buying options, head to: Jackery.com/pages/where-to-buy to view authorized dealers to ensure the product warranty.
The modern home cannot rely on the modern grid during a hurricane, and it doesn't have to. Learn more about keeping your home's power on at Jackery.com.
