Badgers Abroad

Episode #4 - Planning for Power Outages

• UW–Madison International Safety & Security

Share episode

Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.

0:00 | 13:56

 A power outage refers to the complete or partial loss of electrical power in a specific area or across a broader region. They often occur when the supply of electricity to homes, businesses, or infrastructure is disrupted or interrupted. Power outages can and will happen when you're overseas, particularly if you're in a developing area or a region that is heavily affected by climate change. Today’s episode will cover power outages and how to plan for and respond to them while you’re traveling.   

The impact of power outages can range from minor inconveniences to significant and prolonged threats to your health and safety. Many travelers probably do not think about how outages can affect them while they’re traveling, especially when they’re traveling internationally. Hopefully, this podcast will change that.

References and resources from the podcast are listed below:

Jeremy Rohrer: Welcome to the Badgers Abroad podcast. My name is Jeremy, and I'm the Assistant International Safety and Security Director at UW-Madison's International Division and the host of this podcast. Today's episode will cover power outages and how to plan for and respond to them while you're traveling. A power outage refers to the complete or partial loss of electrical power in a specific area or across a broader region. Power outages often occur when the supply of electricity to homes, businesses, or infrastructure is disrupted or interrupted. Power outages can happen for various reasons, which may be planned or unplanned.

During a power outage, all electrical devices relying on the power grid, such as lights, appliances, heating or cooling systems, telecommunications networks, and medical equipment, may cease to function until power is restored. The duration of a power outage can vary, ranging from a few minutes to several hours or even days or weeks, depending on the cause of the outage and the resources required to resolve the issue.

Everyone has experienced a power outage at some point in their life. Oftentimes, we grab a flashlight, light a candle, and read a book or play a board game until the lights come back on, usually within a few hours. However, power outages when you're traveling aren't always so simple. Many travelers probably do not think about how this could affect them while they're traveling, especially when they're traveling internationally. Hopefully, this podcast will change that.

Dealing with power outages when traveling is not always as simple as it is when you're at home. Every destination will have its own unique challenges when it comes to providing consistent electricity. Outages can result in short-term, minor inconveniences, or they may be more persistent and disruptive, hindering your ability to effectively study or work at your destination, not to mention posing a threat to your health and safety.

Power outages, whether they're planned or unplanned, can also degrade water, heating, and cooling systems, while potentially limiting access to food, fuel, cash and payment, telecommunications, security systems, traffic lights, and emergency services. Outages may also impact daily activities for public transportation, the service industry, and educational institutions, which may need to reduce or diminish operations until power is restored.

Extended power outages may also impact the security environment at your destination. They may lead to an increase in civil unrest or crime. Criminals may see the outages as an opportunity to take advantage of people. Furthermore, extended or persistent power outages may frustrate members of the public, leading to demonstrations or protests. Local governments, law enforcement, and security services may struggle to organize and maintain order during extended or repeated outages. Overall, this could create an environment that threatens the security and well-being of travelers.

With all that said, there are measures that travelers can take to prepare for and mitigate the potential impacts of power outages. As with any threat or hazard in an unfamiliar environment, you should begin by examining the issue, assessing the risk, and creating a plan. In general, there are two types of power outages: scheduled and unscheduled. 

Unscheduled power outages can occur for a variety of reasons, including accidents, equipment failure, severe weather, natural disasters, vandalism, or conflict. Depending on your destination, most unscheduled power-disrupting incidents may be resolved within a few minutes or hours. However, large-scale incidents like earthquakes, tropical storms, floods, or wildfires can cause extensive damage to power infrastructure, leaving affected areas without electricity for days or weeks. Restoring power after these large-scale unscheduled incidents can be particularly challenging due to the scale of the damage, especially in areas with limited disaster resources.

Now, let's talk about scheduled outages. In other circumstances, power companies and local governments may cut power for short periods of time to engage in proactive measures that enhance the resilience of the power grid. This includes regular maintenance or upgrading of infrastructure. These short-term scheduled outages are a normal practice throughout the world. On the other hand, some countries may face persistent unscheduled power outages, caused by malfunctions or failures in power generation plants, transformers, power lines, or other equipment. These countries may not have the means or resources to effectively upgrade their grid or power generation capabilities to meet demand. During periods of high energy demand, such as heat waves or extreme cold, the electric grid may become overloaded. If the demand surpasses the available supply, electricity providers or local authorities may implement scheduled outages as a protective measure to prevent damage to the grid. Countries or regions that cannot regularly meet demand may implement persistent scheduled outages, often called rolling blackouts or load shedding. These involve the planned temporary interruption of electricity supply to certain areas or customers for a specific duration. It is a deliberate and controlled technique used by power companies to manage and balance the supply and demand of electricity during periods of high demand or insufficient generation capacity, preserving their power grid and generating capacity while ideally ensuring that critical services, such as hospitals, receive uninterrupted access to electricity. Some countries, like South Africa, conduct regular load shedding to protect their power grid.

News Report: Now to South Africa, where President Ramaphosa is holding emergency meetings to address the country's deepening energy crisis. Authorities have been imposing rolling blackouts as the country's embattled power utility struggles to meet demand.

Jeremy Rohrer: These preventive measures are prevalent around the world, and climate change, coupled with aging infrastructure in many locations, may make them more common. During scheduled outages, utility providers usually publish schedules or rotational plans that outline the timing and duration of power outages for different areas. These schedules are usually communicated to electricity consumers in advance, allowing them to prepare for the planned power interruptions and make necessary arrangements. South Africa's national power supplier, Eskom, publishes a load shedding schedule on their website that specifies days, times, and locations where scheduled outages will occur. I'll include a link to that schedule in the show notes for your reference.

It should be noted that load-shedding practices and terminology may vary across different countries and power systems, so it's important to research your destination before you travel. In general, with all power outages, whether they're scheduled or unscheduled, local authorities will often put out information to affected communities to keep them informed about the outage and restoration progress. Authorities may use various communication channels, such as websites, social media, or emergency alert systems, to provide updates on estimated restoration times and safety guidelines. The nearest U.S. embassy or consulate may also share information with U.S.-affiliated travelers in the region. So that's another good reason to enroll in the State Department's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, known as STEP. I'll put a link to that in our show notes as well. The bottom line with power outages is that they can and will happen when you're traveling, especially as we face the growing effects of climate change. With that in mind, a little bit of research and prior planning can help you be ready to deal with these disruptions when traveling.

First, you should consider your destination. Do they have a history of natural disasters? Consider the resources available to local power suppliers or governments. Highly developed areas are likely to have emergency crews that can usually restore power within hours. Developing regions may take days or even weeks to get the power back on after a significant outage. Do they practice rolling blackouts or load shedding at your destination? If they do, see if you can find a map or a schedule. Aside from researching your destination, what can you do as a traveler to prepare for power outages?

Understand that power outages may be part of the local reality, and residents may have developed coping strategies. Observe and respect the local customs and practices during these times. Ask questions of your hosts and local colleagues about how you can best cope with the disruptions.

If you experience a power outage in your hotel, dorm, or other residence, notify the staff immediately. They can notify the power provider and give you information about the outage and any alternative solutions available, such as backup generators in the facility.

Keep your phone and other devices fully charged whenever power is available and limit use when the power is out. Travelers should pack at least a couple of light sources, like lanterns, flashlights, headlamps, and other battery-operated lights, when they travel. Keep these around your accommodations for when the power goes out.

Now, speaking of light sources, I want to touch on something particularly important here. If the power does go out, avoid relying on your smartphone's built-in light. You must plan to save your phone's battery because you may not know when you can charge it again. For this reason, when I travel, I always bring a couple of headlamps and carry at least one with me in my pack, even when I'm going on day trips or excursions. Headlamps are light and portable, and they'll allow you to get around in the dark while leaving your hands free and saving the battery on your phone.

You may also want to pack a power bank or portable solar charger so you can keep your phone and other devices charged. Portable solar power banks are particularly useful because they can usually be charged from wall outlets or under direct sunlight. Power banks can hold charges for a long time and will come in handy for charging your devices during extended outages.

Cell phone towers and the internet may fail during sustained power outages. Have a backup communications plan in place for your group, such as pre-arranged meeting points or alternative means of contacting one another or people back home. Locally, that can mean using something like two-way radios. Internationally, that may mean using a satellite phone. Make sure you look at local laws about these devices, as some locations may prohibit them or regulate their use.

Keep emergency numbers and contact information for local authorities written down and readily available. Keep the contact information for your country's embassy or consulate available as well. Stay informed about local news, weather alerts, and emergency measures. Local sources can provide information on the cause of the outage, estimated restoration time, emergency resources, and any other necessary precautions you may need to take.

Consider bringing or acquiring a portable battery-powered or hand-crank radio so you can get news and information when the power is out. In the United States, emergency services will often share critical information on the radio during times of disaster. Furthermore, just like with the headlamp, you don't want to have to rely on your phone for getting all of your news or alerts if charging could become an issue.

Keep a supply of non-perishable food and bottled water tucked away at your residence. Having a supply of non-perishable food and water can also ensure you're prepared for a range of disasters and other disruptions. For details on specific water needs, storage, and treatment, see Ready.gov's page on water during a disaster. I'll include a link to that in the show notes. Make sure you keep enough bottled water around to meet your needs for several days if necessary. Stock canned foods, dry packaged snacks, and other staples that do not require refrigeration, cooking, or special preparation. Be sure to have a manual can opener and eating utensils. Assess your needs and be ready to provide for yourself for an extended period of time if necessary. For details on food safety and sanitation as well as cooking, see ready.gov's food page. I'll also include a link to that in the show notes.

Inquire with hotels or accommodations about their backup power capabilities. Some hotels may have generators or alternative power sources that can provide electricity during outages. Consider staying in accommodations that are known to have reliable power infrastructure or backup systems in place.

Be prepared for limited services. Keep in mind that during power outages, public transportation, ATMs, and other services may be affected. Keep some local and U.S. currency on hand in a safe place in case card readers or electronic payment systems are down and you can't access an ATM. If ATMs and banks remain operable, exercise caution when withdrawing cash.

As I mentioned before, extended power outages may lead to increased security risks like civil unrest or crime. Observe the guidance of local officials and pay attention to local media and information sources so you can stay informed. This is where a portable radio and a charged phone or computer will come in handy. Ask your hosts or local friends about safety concerns and how you can best avoid dangerous situations. In general, travel in groups, avoid going out after dark, and stick to well-lit and populated areas.

In dangerously hot or cold weather, consider going with a trusted group to community spaces or emergency shelters that have power and other resources if available. Plan for transportation disruptions. In a power failure, fuel pumps may not work, fuel supplies may be disrupted, or fuel demand may spike, leading to long lines at fuel stations.

Travel hubs like airports and bus stations may also be affected, causing delays. Power outages may impact the availability of police, fire, ambulance, and hospital services. Emergency communication systems may fail, impeding your ability to contact emergency services. Power outages may also impact emergency service stations, preventing them from responding to calls. Prepare for the possibility of limited or no emergency services during and after power outages.

After power is restored, you may need to throw away perishable food items or refrigerated medications that have become too warm. It's also good to check in with people in the country and back home if you haven't done so already, to let them know you're okay, especially if the outage was caused by a disaster incident. Remember to restock batteries, food, water, medication, and other supplies used during the outage.

In general, power outages are usually temporary inconveniences. Stay calm, adapt to the situation, and make the most of the experience by planning, following through with your plan, and safely exploring alternative activities if necessary. And that's it for our episode on dealing with power outages while traveling abroad. Make sure you read through the show notes as I will include extra resources on top of the ones I mentioned throughout this episode.

Remember, preparedness starts with you. Take the necessary steps to ensure your safety and well-being and inspire those around you to do the same. Stay prepared, stay informed, stay empowered, and stay ready for whatever challenges may come your way. That concludes this episode. Thanks for listening. Until next time, stay safe out there.