The German electricity grid is very stable, power outages are rare and usually limited to small areas. Nevertheless, current events show that critical infrastructures can be susceptible to disruption. Heavy rain or severe storms can also lead to outages. The power supply is usually restored within a few hours, but in exceptional cases this can take several days. Private provision is therefore important - in an emergency, it is often too late to take action. People in need of help in the immediate vicinity should also be considered.
Correct behavior and private precautions
First of all, you should check whether the power outage only affects your own home or a larger area. Electrical appliances should be disconnected from the mains as a precaution to avoid damage when the power returns. In the event of major outages, the authorities will provide information via suitable channels.
Candles should only be used with great care. Barbecues, open fires or gas stoves must never be used indoors - there is an acute risk of fire and suffocation.
As shopping is often no longer possible in the event of a power cut, it is advisable to stock up on food and drink. The Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance recommends at least a three-day supply. This is calculated at 2 liters of water per person per day, i.e. 18 liters of water for a three-person household, for example. In addition, durable food that does not need to be refrigerated. If you have pets, you should also think about a small supply.
Further information on private provisions can be found on the Internet at www.bbk.bund.de. Stockpiling is not only useful in the event of power cuts, but also in the event of flooding, extreme heat or heavy snowfall.
To continue receiving information, a battery-operated radio should be available, ideally with a solar cell or crank. Alternatively, the car radio can be used. Depending on the situation, the city will also provide information via loudspeaker vehicles.
Contact points in the city area
In the event of a prolonged, widespread power outage, the city of Erlangen has already set up a total of 19 so-called lighthouses for several years. Information can be obtained or emergency calls made at these emergency power supply points. However, it is not possible to provide all-round coverage for all citizens at the lighthouses. A digital map with all locations is available online at www.erlangen.de/stromausfall.
The city's civil protection department has a concept for dealing with a power outage lasting several days "in the drawer", and special exercises are being carried out for the emergency services.
Investments by the city
The city of Erlangen has been taking the emergency power supply into account for several years when planning municipal buildings. In addition to the main fire station, several volunteer fire stations and the Gerd-Lohwasser-Halle, for example, have already been equipped with emergency power generators. The district center in Büchenbach and the vocational training center (Campus Berufliche Bildung) will also have a permanently installed emergency power supply.
In addition to smaller generators, the Office for Fire and Disaster Protection has had a mobile emergency power system with 124 kilovolt amps on a trailer since the end of 2024. Among other things, it enables large-scale lighting or the emergency power supply for buildings. The city will soon receive another mobile emergency power system from the Free State of Bavaria as part of the disaster control program.
Further information on this topic can be found at www.erlangen.de/stromausfall.
An emergency power system of the fire department (Photo: City of Erlangen)
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Power failure: What to do?
Private provision is important. But what exactly do you need to do? Find out here.
Power failure: What to do?
Private provision is important. But what exactly do you need to do? Find out here.