Until power is back, focus on staying clear of damaged lines, keeping food cold, and having water and light ready.
Why is there a power outage in Topeka today?
Ask the electric utility named on your bill directly by checking its website or calling the customer number on your bill. Ask whether your address is affected and when service is expected back.
What should you do during a power outage right now?
Lone Star College’s personal preparedness checklist, as of October 2026, gives these first steps:
- Stay away from damaged electrical wires and wet equipment.
- Monitor local television and listen for alerts.
- Use caution when entering a damaged building, and move to a safe, secure place once it is safe to do so.
- Keep identification on you at all times.
The same checklist’s emergency kit list includes water and a nonperishable snack, a small first aid kit, a flashlight with extra batteries, special medications and specialty items, cash, and medical alert and emergency contact information. Keep those together now, in a spot everyone in the house knows.
If you are considering a generator, read our power outage generator safety guide first, since it covers placement, carbon monoxide and extension-cord questions.
What about the food in your fridge and freezer?
Frozen water helps keep food cold. Mississippi State University Extension says, “If you lose electricity, the frozen water will help keep foods in your freezer cold until power is restored.” Mississippi State University Extension’s drinking water guide makes the same point about freezer space. Utah State University Extension advises you to “Store a few containers in a freezer to provide ice if the electricity goes off.” Utah State University Extension’s water storage guide covers that as well.
Lone Star’s checklist also says to check food and water supplies for contamination before consuming them. For when to keep or discard refrigerated food, read our power-outage food safety guide. For day-to-day handling, see refrigerator and freezer food safety.
How much water should you have on hand?
The CDC’s emergency water guidance, as of October 2026, says to store at least 1 gallon of water per person per day for 3 days, and to try for a two-week supply if possible. The CDC also says that “Unopened, commercially bottled water is the safest and most reliable source of water in an emergency.” CDC guidance on creating an emergency water supply is the place to start.
| Publisher | What it recommends |
|---|---|
| CDC | At least 1 gallon per person per day for 3 days; a 2-week supply if possible |
| Mississippi State University Extension | 1 gallon per person per day, at least 6 gallons per person per week |
| Utah State University Extension | At least a three-day supply per person, with two weeks best |
| San Francisco Public Utilities Commission | 1 gallon per person per day, enough for 3 to 5 days |
| Island County, WA | 1 gallon per person per day, for at least 14 days |
| Portland Water Bureau | 14 gallons per person, which lasts about two weeks |
The CDC advises replacing water you fill into storage containers every 6 months. Our power outage preparedness list covers a 72-hour supply of food, water and other items.
What is still not known?
- The cause of the Topeka outage.
- When power is expected back on your street.
The electric utility named on your bill is the one to ask for both. If you cannot reach the utility, keep listening for alerts and check local television for updates.
Before you finish: a quick checklist
- Check with the electric utility named on your bill for the cause and restoration time at your address.
- Keep at least 1 gallon of drinking water per person per day on hand.
- Freeze a few containers of water now, so you have ice ready if the power goes out.
- Keep your flashlight, extra batteries, cash and emergency contact information in one place.
By ThePreppersBlueprint.com Editorial Team