Hurricane Preparedness 101 for Parrish & Manatee County Families
When it comes to hurricane season in Florida, the basics always come first: food, water, and shelter. Those are your non-negotiables. But here in Parrish and the rest of Manatee County, one of the biggest concerns families ask us about is power. Do you really need to invest in a huge generator system? Or are there more practical solutions for most households? Let’s break it down.
Needs vs. Wants: What’s Really Necessary
The truth is, most Florida families in flood zones evacuate when a major storm is coming. If that’s your plan, you may not need any backup power at all. A whole-house standby generator can cost $15,000–$25,000, and while it looks nice on paper, it usually doesn’t make financial sense just to protect a few hundred dollars of food in the fridge.
For those who choose to stay, it’s about identifying your true needs vs. wants:
- Do you need every light, appliance, and AC vent running? Probably not.
- Do you need to keep medicine cold, charge your phone, and have one small cool room to sleep in? Yes.
Portable Generators: The Practical Choice
For 99% of families that stay, a small portable generator is the smart choice. Something just big enough to:
- Run your fridge or freezer for a couple of hours a day.
- Power a small window AC unit or fan to keep one room comfortable.
- Charge phones and laptops so you stay connected.
This approach saves thousands of dollars compared to a whole-house system, and still covers the essentials.
Minimalist Alternatives for Power
- BioLite Tools: Burn cardboard, sticks, or twigs to generate enough juice to charge a phone or flashlight. Perfect for camping or minimalist storm prep.
- Battery Packs: Portable power stations are clean and safe. Great for short bursts, but not long outages.
More Important Than Power: Your Family Plan
The biggest mistake isn’t about choosing the wrong generator—it’s not having a plan at all. Every family should ask:
- Where are we going if we evacuate?
- Can we stay put safely for at least 10 days?
- Do we have enough food, water, and prescriptions for everyone?
- What about elderly family members who may need life-support equipment?
- Have we stocked food and medicine for pets too?
Power is just one piece of the puzzle. Planning ahead is what keeps families safe.
Final Thoughts from Emerald Energy
As a local Parrish electrical contractor, we’ve seen families overspend on “wants” when a hurricane hits. The truth is: you probably don’t need a $20,000 generator system. A small portable setup, a plan, and a little preparation will get most families through the storm just fine.
Emerald Energy is here to help neighbors across Parrish and Manatee County with safe generator hookups, electrical inspections, and storm-season advice.
Stay safe, have a plan, and remember — the basics always come first.
