Hurricane Backup Power Plan: Sizing for a Week Without Grid
After a major hurricane, power can stay off for a week or more. How to size batteries and solar for that, and what 2024 outage data says about your state.
Updated October 27, 2026 · By the OutageWatt team · How we calculate
In short
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What 2024 taught the coast
| State | 2024, all events | 2024, without major storms |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina | 52 h | 2.0 h |
| North Carolina | 24 h | 2.4 h |
| Florida | 22 h | 1.1 h |
| Texas | 21 h | 2.2 h |
| Georgia | 20 h | 3.5 h |
| Louisiana | 12 h | 3.4 h |
Average hours without power per customer, U.S. EIA. The gap between the two columns is the hurricanes. Full map: outages by state.
A week with AC vs without
| Power station | Capacity | Runs it? | Runtime | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 | 1.1 kWh | Output too low | — | $499 |
| EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus | 1.0 kWh | Output too low | — | $719 |
| Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 | 1.0 kWh | Output too low | — | $499.99 |
| BLUETTI AC180 | 1.2 kWh | Output too low | — | $499 |
| Anker SOLIX F2000 | 2.0 kWh | Output too low | — | $1,999 |
| Jackery HomePower 2000 Plus v2 | 2.0 kWh | Output too low | — | $1,069 |
| Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus | 3.6 kWh | Output too low | — | $1,709 |
| BLUETTI Apex 300 | 2.8 kWh | Output too low | — | $1,599 |
| Anker SOLIX F3800 Plus | 3.8 kWh | Surge not published | — | $2,399.99 |
| EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 | 4.1 kWh | Output too low | — | $2,799 |
| Jackery HomePower 3600 Pro Max | 3.6 kWh | Output too low | — | $1,799 |
| Jackery Explorer 5000 Plus | 5.0 kWh | Yes | 3.7 h | $3,149 |
| Power station | Capacity | Runs it? | Runtime | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 | 1.1 kWh | Output too low | — | $499 |
| EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus | 1.0 kWh | Output too low | — | $719 |
| Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 | 1.0 kWh | Can't start it | — | $499.99 |
| BLUETTI AC180 | 1.2 kWh | Output too low | — | $499 |
| Anker SOLIX F2000 | 2.0 kWh | Surge not published | — | $1,999 |
| Jackery HomePower 2000 Plus v2 | 2.0 kWh | Yes | 11 h | $1,069 |
| Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus | 3.6 kWh | Yes | 20 h | $1,709 |
| BLUETTI Apex 300 | 2.8 kWh | Surge not published | — | $1,599 |
| Anker SOLIX F3800 Plus | 3.8 kWh | Yes | 21 h | $2,399.99 |
| EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 | 4.1 kWh | Yes | 23 h | $2,799 |
| Jackery HomePower 3600 Pro Max | 3.6 kWh | Yes | 20 h | $1,799 |
| Jackery Explorer 5000 Plus | 5.0 kWh | Yes | 28 h | $3,149 |
| Battery | Usable | Output | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Powerwall 3 (1 unit) | 13.5 kWh | 11.5 kW | 10 h |
| Enphase IQ Battery 5P (1 unit) | 5.0 kWh | 3.84 kW | Too much load |
| FranklinWH aPower 2 (1 unit) | 15.0 kWh | 10 kW | 11 h |
| Tesla Cybertruck (Powershare) | 98.4 kWh | 11.5 kW | 3.1 days |
| Ford F-150 Lightning (Extended Range) | 104.8 kWh | 9.6 kW | 3.3 days |
| Kia EV9 (Long Range) + Wallbox Quasar 2 | 79.8 kWh | 12 kW | 2.5 days |
The checklist
- Charge everything when the storm enters the cone; batteries lose little while waiting.
- Store the station off the floor and away from where water could enter.
- Solar panels on a portable kit: keep them inside until the wind drops.
- Freeze water bottles now; they keep the freezer cold and become drinking water.
- Never run a generator in a garage, even with the door open.
Frequently asked questions
How long does power stay out after a hurricane?
From hours to weeks. The EIA's 2024 figures show the average customer in South Carolina without power for about 52 hours that year, most of it from hurricane Helene; averages hide homes that waited a week or more.
How much battery do I need for a hurricane?
Plan for 7 days. Fridge, freezer, Wi-Fi, lights and a window AC for a few hours a day is a lot of energy; without solar, a home battery or an EV is the realistic way to cover a week. With panels, a 4–5 kWh station can keep essentials going.
Should I run AC on battery after a hurricane?
Only a few hours, ideally a small inverter window unit in one room at night. AC is the largest load most people consider, and heat after storms is a real health risk for older people; plan it deliberately.
Free tool
Open the hurricane-week scenario
Seven days, with or without AC, and solar if you have it.
OutageWatt is independent and not affiliated with any brand named here. Specs come from makers' spec sheets and are dated; anything wired into your home needs a licensed electrician and a transfer switch or interlock. Never backfeed through an outlet.