The Hidden Costs of Power Outages During Virginia’s Storm Season — and How to Avoid Them

For Virginia homeowners, storms in every season bring the risk of sudden blackouts. Summer hurricanes and thunderstorms can knock out the grid for days, while winter ice and snow can leave families without heat or water. The real question isn’t if the power will go out. It’s how much a prolonged outage could really cost you.

Below, we’ll break down the hidden expenses of power outages during Virginia’s storm season — and why investing in backup power may be the smartest financial decision you can make.

Immediate Costs in the First 48 Hours

In the first two days without power, families often face expenses they didn’t see coming. Even short outages carry real financial weight when you add up the impact of:

• Food spoilage: Most refrigerators keep food safe for about four hours without power, while freezers can maintain safe temperatures for 24 to 48 hours if unopened. After that, meat, dairy and prepared foods must be thrown out. Food spoilage during power outage events is money wasted.
• Emergency supplies: Last-minute supply runs add up quickly. Batteries, flashlights, bottled water, ice and nonperishable foods are often marked up or in limited supply during widespread outages. If outages happen multiple times per year, these costs compound.
• Loss of productivity: For Virginians working remotely, no power means no Wi-Fi, no virtual meetings and no way to meet deadlines. Depending on your line of work, two days offline could mean hundreds in lost income. If you run a small business from home, the financial impact could climb even higher.

Secondary Costs When the Outage Drags On

As an outage continues, the financial and personal costs escalate. Suddenly, keeping the household running requires major adjustments. 

If you’ve lived through hurricane seasons, you know restoration times vary widely across Virginia. Some neighborhoods may see service return in hours, while rural and coastal communities can wait days. Planning for that gap before the forecast turns will help you stay ahead of price spikes, supply shortages and the scramble that follows major storms.

Additional costs can arise due to:

• Alternative accommodations: Hotel stays are often the only option when a home becomes unlivable. In a storm-affected region, prices climb quickly due to demand. Add in restaurant meals or food from convenience stores, and a week-long outage could cost more than you expect.
• Health and safety risks: Some costs go beyond finances. Homeowners with medical equipment that requires electricity often need emergency relocation or costly backup solutions. 
• The mental toll: Living without power creates stress that spills into every corner of daily life. While the mental toll doesn’t carry a direct price tag, stress and anxiety often drive costly decisions, like eating out or purchasing unnecessary equipment in a rush.

The Costs of Long-Term Damage to Your Home

The most expensive consequences come when outages cause long-term damage. You may need repairs for:

• Flooded basements: In Virginia, heavy rains make sump pumps essential. With no power, a sump pump failure means water can fill the basement unchecked. Remediation and repair costs can vary depending on the damage. 
• Frozen and burst pipes: In winter, a home without heat is vulnerable to frozen plumbing. Burst pipes can destroy flooring, drywall and personal belongings.
• Damaged appliances: When the grid comes back online, power surges can fry major appliances, HVAC systems and sensitive electronics. Replacing a refrigerator, washing machine or entertainment system can add thousands more to the tab. Insurance may not cover everything, leaving families to absorb the loss.

Protect Your Home and Family With a Whole-House Generator

After seeing the hidden costs of outages, many homeowners ask if a whole-house generator is worth it in Virginia. The answer is clear. Compared to the thousands you could lose in food, lodging, repairs and stress, a generator is a relatively small investment that pays for itself the first time a major storm hits.

A whole-house generator is the only solution that keeps your home fully functional during a blackout. It automatically powers your lights, appliances, sump pump, HVAC system and medical equipment. With a whole-house generator, you won’t have to weigh the cost of hotel stays, emergency supplies or water damage repairs. You can have the peace of mind that comes with knowing you’re prepared. 

Asbury Electric is proud to be an authorized Generac dealer — we’re your source for sales, installation and service in the Richmond, Middle Peninsula, Peninsula and Southern Virginia areas. 

Contact us today and never be left in the dark again! We will treat you right. One of our Generac-certified technicians will run an electrical load calculation to ensure you get the right generator for your needs. Plus, we have financing solutions so you can protect your home and family now and spread the cost over time.