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Power outage preparedness checklist for Sonoma County

What to have ready before the lights go out, how long food lasts, and how to run a generator without hurting anyone.

As of October 14, 2026. This is general information from Ready.gov and Sonoma County Emergency Management. It is not medical, legal or engineering advice. Confirm local details with your utility and fire district.

The short answer

Plan for the things in your house that need power, then cover each one. Ready.gov starts the same way: list what depends on electricity and plan backup power for it (Ready.gov).

Sonoma County asks households to keep a home kit with 7 days of supplies and a go bag with at least 72 hours (County of Sonoma).

Winter storms and wind can take out power, and this winter may be wetter. See our El Niño guide.

Who this applies to

Every Sonoma County home. It matters most if you have a well pump, medical equipment, refrigerated medicine, older relatives, or a long driveway that storms can block.

Before an outage: do this week

  1. Make a list of what needs power. Well pump, medical devices, phones, garage door opener, sump pump. Plan backup for each.
  2. Get a flashlight for each person in the house, and a power bank for phones.
  3. Check whether your home phone works without power and how long its battery backup lasts.
  4. Install carbon monoxide detectors with battery backup on every level.
  5. Keep nonperishable food and water. The county's 7-day home kit is the target.
  6. Ask your medical provider for a plan for powered devices and refrigerated medicine, including how long your medicine can tolerate heat.
  7. Find out where community locations with power are, and ask local officials about open heating and cooling sites.
  8. Sign up for county alerts. See the resources list.

Source: Ready.gov (items 1 to 7), County of Sonoma (kit length).

During an outage

  • Keep the refrigerator and freezer closed.
  • Never heat the house with a gas stove or oven. Ready.gov warns of carbon monoxide poisoning and fire.
  • Unplug or switch off appliances and electronics so a surge does not hit them when power returns.
  • Use coolers with ice if needed, and a thermometer to check temperatures.
  • If it gets extreme hot or cold, go to a community location with power.

How long food lasts

ItemReady.gov says
RefrigeratorKeeps food cold about 4 hours
Full freezerHolds its temperature about 48 hours
Throw outFood at 40°F or higher for 2 hours or more, or with an odd smell, color or texture

After an outage of more than a day, throw out medicine that should be kept cold unless the label says otherwise, and call your doctor or pharmacist for a new supply. Ready.gov's rule: when in doubt, throw it out.

Running a generator safely

Top view of a house with a window, a door and an attached garage. A generator sits outdoors at least 20 feet from all three.
1. Generator outdoors only. 2. At least 20 feet from windows, doors and the attached garage. 3. Carbon monoxide detector on every level. Not to scale. Distance from Ready.gov.
  • Run it only outdoors, at least 20 feet from windows, doors and attached garages. Keep the fuel there too.
  • Keep it dry and out of rain and standing water. Do not touch a wet generator.
  • Use heavy-duty extension cords to connect appliances.
  • Let it cool before you refuel.
  • Camp stoves and charcoal grills also belong outdoors, 20 feet from windows.
  • Follow the maker's instructions.

Source: Ready.gov. Connecting a generator to your house wiring is electrician work, which we do not do. Hire a licensed electrician directly.

Where this fits with storm prep

Outages often come with the same storms that fill gutters and flood low spots. Pair this list with our winter storm checklist and the sandbag guide. Back to Home Ready Sonoma.

Sources