Emergencies in Grand Rapids: Coping Without Gas or Electricity

Power outages and interruptions to gas service are common in West Michigan, especially during Grand Rapids’ icy winters, severe thunderstorms, and high-wind events. Losing heat, hot water, or the ability to cook can quickly become a health and safety issue for families in the Grand Rapids area.

This guide explains how to stay safe, warm, and healthy during a gas or electricity outage, with tips and local Grand Rapids resources.

Staying Warm and Safe During a Power Outage in Grand Rapids

Plan for Alternative Ways to Bathe, Eat, and Keep Warm

In Grand Rapids, winter temperatures can drop well below freezing, and even a few hours without heat can be dangerous—especially for older adults, young children, and people with chronic health conditions.

General safety steps when the power goes out:

  • Turn off and unplug all electrical appliances, especially those with heating elements (space heaters, irons, ovens).
  • Unplug surge-sensitive equipment such as computers, gaming systems, and TVs.
  • Leave one light switch on so you’ll know when the power has been restored.
  • Use a battery-powered radio to listen to local news (WOOD Radio 1300/106.9, WZZM 13, FOX 17, local NPR) for outage updates and safety information.
  • Contact your electricity provider (such as Consumers Energy or DTE Energy) for updates on the status of the blackout.
  • Monitor relevant websites and apps when possible:
    • Your utility company’s outage map
    • Kent County Health Department
    • City of Grand Rapids and Kent County Emergency Management pages
    • Local news websites (MLive, WOOD TV8, WZZM 13)

Check On Neighbors and Vulnerable Community Members

In the Grand Rapids metro area, many residents are older adults or live alone, especially in neighborhoods like Eastown, Heritage Hill, and parts of Wyoming and Kentwood.

  • Check on neighbors, especially:
    • Older adults
    • People with disabilities
    • Families with infants or medically fragile children
  • Offer help with:
    • Warm clothing or blankets
    • Safe food and water
    • Information about warming centers or shelters

Local hospitals such as Corewell Health (Spectrum Health) Butterworth Hospital, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, and Mercy Health may provide information during major emergencies.

Heat and Light Without Gas or Electricity

Staying Warm in a Grand Rapids Winter Power Outage

Cold exposure is a serious risk in West Michigan winters. Hypothermia and frostbite can occur even indoors if your home becomes very cold.

To conserve heat:

  • Dress in multiple thin layers (thermal base layer, sweater, fleece) rather than one bulky layer.
  • Wear a hat, socks, and gloves or mittens – a lot of body heat is lost through the head and extremities.
  • Close doors to unused rooms to keep heat in one living space.
  • Close windows, curtains, and blinds to reduce heat loss.
  • Use extra blankets or sleeping bags; consider having everyone sleep in one room to share warmth.
  • Avoid using unvented fuel-burning heaters indoors unless they are specifically designed for indoor use and installed according to code.

If your home becomes dangerously cold and you cannot maintain warmth, contact 211 (United Way’s helpline) or check the Kent County Health Department and City of Grand Rapids websites for information on warming centers, shelters, or community centers that may open during extreme weather.

Safe Lighting During a Blackout

  • Use flashlights or battery-operated lanterns as your primary light sources. Keep extra batteries on hand.
  • If you must use candles:
    • Place them on a stable, non-flammable surface.
    • Keep them away from curtains, bedding, paper, and other flammable materials.
    • Keep them out of reach of children and pets.
    • Extinguish all candles before going to sleep or leaving the room.

Fire risk increases during outages, and Grand Rapids Fire Department responds to many preventable incidents during storms. Never leave open flames unattended.

Food Safety and Storage Without Electricity

Food safety is critical during outages to prevent foodborne illness. This is especially important for families with young children, pregnant women, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems.

Keeping Food Cold Without Power

Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to hold in the cold.

  • A full freezer can usually keep food frozen for about 48 hours if the door stays closed.
  • A refrigerator can typically keep food cold for about 4 hours without power.

Key temperature rule:

  • Once cold or frozen food is no longer cold to the touch and reaches 40°F (about 4–5°C) or higher, it can be:
    • Kept and eaten for up to 4 hours, then thrown away.
    • If it is raw meat or poultry, it should be cooked and eaten within 4 hours; after that, discard it.

If power is restored and frozen food is still cold to the touch (below 40°F / 4–5°C), it is generally safe to refreeze.

Choosing Foods That Don’t Require Refrigeration

Stock your Grand Rapids emergency kit with foods that can be safely stored at room temperature:

  • Bread, tortillas, crackers
  • Peanut butter and other nut butters
  • Shelf-stable milk or plant-based milks (boxed)
  • Canned beans, vegetables, fruits, soups, and meats (tuna, chicken, salmon)
  • Breakfast cereals and granola
  • Dried fruits and nuts
  • Protein or granola bars

If you have a cooler (Esky) or a car fridge, you can extend the life of perishable foods by adding ice or frozen gel packs. In winter, do not automatically store food outside—temperatures can fluctuate above safe levels, and animals may access it.

Preparing Food Without Gas or Electricity

If You Have Electricity but No Gas

If your gas service is interrupted but you still have electricity:

  • Use:
    • Microwave
    • Electric hotplates
    • Electric kettles
    • Slow cookers, toaster ovens, or electric griddles
  • Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions, including recommended cooking times and safety warnings.

Important: Microwave Cooking Safety

Microwaves often heat food unevenly:

  • Stir foods at several points during cooking.
  • Allow for “standing time” after the microwave stops so heat can distribute evenly.
  • Check that foods (especially meats, poultry, and leftovers) are steaming hot all the way through before eating.

If You Have Gas but No Electricity

If there is an electrical outage but your gas supply is still working:

  • You may be able to use:
    • Gas stovetop or gas hotplates
    • Gas hot water system
  • Many gas appliances with electronic ignition won’t work without electricity; check your user manual.
  • Follow all safety instructions and ensure proper ventilation.

If You Have Neither Gas nor Electricity

In a complete outage:

  • Cook food outside on:
    • A gas or charcoal barbecue
    • A camping stove designed for outdoor use
  • Never use a barbecue, charcoal grill, or camping stove inside a home, garage, tent, or enclosed porch. This can cause deadly carbon monoxide poisoning and fire.

Choose foods that don’t require cooking when possible:

  • Salad vegetables (washed with safe water)
  • Canned meats and fish
  • Canned beans and ready-to-eat soups
  • Breads, wraps, and crackers
  • Ready-to-eat cereals

Washing, Bathing, and Hygiene Without Hot Water

During short-term disruptions (up to 24 hours), it is acceptable to limit bathing if hot water is not available, as long as you maintain basic hygiene.

Heating Water Safely

For longer disruptions:

  • If you have electricity but no gas:
    • Use the microwave, electric hotplates, or electric kettles to heat water.
  • If you have gas but no electricity:
    • Use your gas hot water system (if it operates without electricity) or gas stovetop to heat water.
  • If you have neither:
    • Use a barbecue or outdoor stove to heat water outside only.

Safety When Heating and Carrying Hot Water

  • Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for any heating device.
  • Use sturdy containers and do not overfill them.
  • Insulate handles and use oven mitts or thick towels to protect your hands.
  • Keep children and pets well away from hot water and cooking areas.
  • Before bathing, test the water temperature with your elbow or a thermometer.
  • Do not “top up” a bath with boiling water while someone is in it—this can cause severe scalds.

Basic Hygiene When Water Is Limited

To reduce the spread of infections:

  • Wash hands with soap and clean (even cold) water:
    • After using the toilet
    • After changing diapers
    • Before preparing or eating food
  • If water is very limited:
    • Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol) when hands are not visibly dirty.
    • Use disposable baby wipes (non–soap-based) for quick cleaning of skin when bathing isn’t possible.

Caring for Babies and Young Children Without Gas or Electricity

Parenting during an outage can be challenging, especially in cold weather.

Diapers and Hygiene

  • Use disposable diapers (nappies) instead of cloth if washing and drying are difficult.
  • Clean your hands thoroughly after each diaper change:
    • With soap and water when available
    • With hand sanitizer if water is limited

Cleaning and Warming Bottles

  • If you can’t boil bottles:
    • Use commercial disinfecting/sterilizing solutions specifically designed for baby bottles and follow the label instructions carefully.
  • If you have electricity:
    • Run bottles through the dishwasher on a hot cycle.
  • Do not use the microwave to warm your baby’s bottle—hot spots can form and scald your baby’s mouth and throat.
  • It is safe to give your baby cold formula or breast milk if warmed milk is not possible.

Creating a Grand Rapids Emergency Plan for Power or Gas Interruptions

Every household in the Grand Rapids area should have a basic emergency plan, especially given our severe winter storms, ice, and strong winds off Lake Michigan.

Keep Key Contact Information Accessible

  • Program emergency numbers into your mobile phone.
  • Keep a written list near your landline or a visible place:
    • 911 for emergencies
    • Your electricity provider
    • Your gas provider
    • Primary care provider or pediatrician (Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, Mercy Health clinics)
    • Poison Control (1-800-222-1222)
    • Local urgent care or emergency department
  • Ensure you have access to at least one phone that does not rely solely on electricity:
    • A fully charged mobile phone with a battery pack
    • A landline phone that works without external power (if available)

Build an Emergency Kit for Grand Rapids Households

Pack an emergency kit and store it in an easy-to-access location. Consider:

  • Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
  • Flashlights or battery-operated lanterns
  • Extra batteries
  • Bottled water (at least one gallon per person per day for several days)
  • Non-perishable tinned/canned foods and a manual can opener
  • First aid kit
  • Copies of insurance documents and important papers in a waterproof container
  • Blankets, hats, and warm clothing (especially important in Michigan winters)
  • Any prescription medications and a list of medical conditions/allergies for each family member
  • Backup device chargers (portable power banks, car chargers)

Make sure each member of your household knows:

  • How to turn off electrical appliances during a blackout
  • To unplug sensitive electronics to protect them from power surges when electricity is restored

Where to Get Help in Grand Rapids and West Michigan

If a power or gas outage becomes prolonged or you are concerned about your health or safety:

  • Your electricity supplier – for outage updates and safety advice
  • Your gas supplier – for gas interruptions or suspected gas leaks
  • Kent County Health Department – for public health alerts, shelter information, and food safety guidance
  • Grand Rapids Public Health and City of Grand Rapids – for local emergency information, warming centers, and community resources
  • Local hospitals and urgent care centers:
    • Corewell Health (Spectrum Health) Butterworth and Blodgett Hospitals
    • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
    • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
    • Mercy Health facilities
  • Call 911 if you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning, severe hypothermia, fire, or any life-threatening emergency.

Key Safety Points for Grand Rapids Residents

  • Close doors, windows, and blinds to maintain heat during winter outages.
  • Use flashlights instead of candles when possible; if you use candles, keep them away from anything flammable and never leave them unattended.
  • Never use barbecues, charcoal grills, or outdoor heaters inside your home, garage, or enclosed porch—this can cause deadly carbon monoxide poisoning.
  • Check manufacturer’s instructions for any heating or cooking device you use in unusual ways to reduce the risk of burns, fires, and other injuries.
  • Do not warm baby bottles in the microwave—it can cause dangerous hot spots and scalding.
  • When in doubt, throw it out: if perishable food has been above 40°F (4–5°C) for more than 4 hours, it is safer to discard it than risk food poisoning.

Preparing ahead of time and knowing how to respond can help Grand Rapids families stay safe, warm, and healthy during gas or electricity emergencies in any season.