Power outages typically happen when there’s not enough electricity to go around.
Businesses lose revenue when point-of-sale systems stop working, and entertainment venues must cancel shows. Health facilities are significantly impacted because they rely on power for patient monitoring and treatment.
Disrupted Communication
Power outages can disrupt your ability to communicate with people not near you. This can be a problem at home or work and could result in a loss of revenue. For example, a business that loses power cannot operate its call center or interact with customers similarly. Experiencing a power outage can impact your internet usage, resulting in the inability to send emails or text messages. If this happens, it could upset customers, who might decide to switch to another company. This can be frustrating and impact your productivity levels. You may also need help accessing data on your computer or other equipment, making your job more difficult and increasing stress levels.
Depending on the type of outage and its duration, you may also experience a decrease in the quality of your cell phone signal or even lose your signal completely. This can affect your ability to contact family members or co-workers, which can be highly frustrating. It would be best if you prepared by having alternative methods of communication like a landline phone or even a paper notebook and pen in case of an emergency. Consider investing in a backup power supply for your devices to prevent electrical surges during power outages in Texas.
Water Contamination
There are several reasons why power outages may happen. Faulty equipment is a common culprit, but several environmental factors contribute to blackouts. Natural disasters like tornadoes, hurricanes, and earthquakes often trigger preemptive power shutoffs to prevent widespread damage. Trees, both dead and alive, are another frequent source of outages. Errors by landscapers using equipment like cherry pickers, tractors, and bulldozers can knock down utility poles or cause them to fall on wires. Heavy snow or ice can also weigh down branches, causing them to snap and fall onto power lines.
In some cases, power outages are caused by severe weather and can last for hours or even days. These types of outages hit the hardest on businesses. Retail stores, for example, experience a significant blow as point-of-sale systems go down and customer checkout is no longer possible. Restaurants suffer, too, as food spoils and their temperature-controlled systems are no longer working. Shows at entertainment venues, such as movie theaters and concerts, are being canceled, leading to a loss of revenue.
Water contamination can also be an issue during extended outages if people cannot clean and disinfect their hands. People should be prepared for these scenarios by keeping a few gallons of stored water on hand or filling buckets and tubs before a storm is expected.
Health Issues
Power outages can impact health in several ways. For instance, those who rely on electricity-dependent medical equipment (like oxygen pumps) or refrigeration for medications are especially vulnerable during long outages as the devices may not be powered, or the refrigerators will not stay cold enough to keep medicines safe to take. Patients with chronic conditions requiring frequent treatment like dialysis could also miss treatments if their power is cut.
Likewise, the longer an outage lasts, the more likely people will experience psychological symptoms such as anxiety and stress. In some cases, these effects can lead to a heightened risk of psychiatric disorders and may increase emergency department (ED) visits for mental health reasons. Moreover, crime is higher during prolonged power outages.
To mitigate the negative impacts of a power outage, it is recommended that communities prepare themselves by identifying populations that may be at risk and taking action to address these needs. This can include having backup supplies of essential items that rely on electricity, such as flashlights and batteries. It is also suggested that healthcare facilities develop action plans to ensure they have the necessary resources to provide care during a power outage.
Lost Income
Many businesses rely on power to operate, and business shuts down when that power goes out. Even if a company has generators to keep some operations going, many employees cannot work, and that loss of productivity and the resulting lost income can hurt the bottom line.
Foodservice is particularly affected when a power outage occurs since refrigeration equipment can break down and cause perishable items to spoil. The same applies to entertainment venues, which may have to reschedule shows or cancel events when the power fails. This loss of revenue isn’t just for the business but also for the workers who depend on their wages to pay bills and provide for their families.
On a smaller scale, frequent outages can tarnish your reputation, turning consumers away from your business and toward competitors with consistent power. This is particularly dangerous for restaurants, where social media posts can ruin your reputation.
As extreme weather events become the norm, the costs associated with power outages are becoming more substantial than just minor inconveniences. Depending on the length of an outage, it can affect entire communities and damage the economy by preventing workers from working, businesses from operating, and customers from shopping. These impacts can be even more pronounced in high-volume industries, such as manufacturing. As a result, these costs can add up quickly and don’t necessarily reverse once the power returns.
