Snowstorm Survival Guide: What to Do When the Power Goes Out on Cape Cod

If you're reading this, you already know — Cape Cod just got hit hard. Power is out across much of the peninsula and Eversource is estimating it could be a week or more before full restoration. Whether you're hunkered down at home or worried about a property from off-Cape, here's what you need to know right now.

Immediate Safety First

Before anything else, cover the basics:

• Don't run generators indoors. Not in the garage, not in the basement, not even with the door cracked. Carbon monoxide kills silently and quickly. Generators go outside, at least 20 feet from windows and doors.
• If you smell gas, leave immediately and call National Grid at 1-800-233-5325 from outside.
• Keep your fridge and freezer closed. A full freezer will hold temperature for about 48 hours if you leave it shut. A half-full freezer, about 24 hours. The fridge will keep food cold for about 4 hours.
• Dress in layers indoors. Close off rooms you don't need and hang blankets over doorways to trap heat in your living space.
• Check on your neighbors. Especially anyone elderly or living alone. This is Cape Cod — we look out for each other.

Pipes Are Your Biggest Risk

When the power goes and the heat stops, frozen pipes become a real threat — especially in older Cape homes with crawl spaces and uninsulated sections. Here's what to do:

• Open cabinet doors under kitchen and bathroom sinks to let warmer air reach the pipes.
• Let faucets drip. A slow, steady drip from both hot and cold lines keeps water moving and reduces freeze risk.
• Know where your main water shutoff is. If a pipe does burst, you need to be able to kill the water fast. If you don't know where it is, now is the time to find it.
• If you're leaving the house for an extended period, shut off the water at the main and drain the lines by opening faucets.

If you suspect a pipe has already frozen, do not use a blowtorch or open flame. Use a hair dryer (if you have a generator), warm towels, or a space heater pointed at the area. If it's already burst, shut off the main and call a plumber.

If You're Off-Cape and Worried About Your Property

This is the reality for thousands of seasonal homeowners right now. A week without heat in a Cape Cod house in February can mean burst pipes, water damage, and a very expensive spring.

Cape Coastal Landscaping in Harwich is one of the few local companies that specifically offers home check-in services. They're licensed, insured, and have been operating on the Cape for 15 years. They can inspect your property, check for frozen pipes, and report back. Reach them at (508) 432-2203.

ACM Cleaning & Property Maintenance in Hyannis is another solid option if you need someone to check on a property. They've built a reputation for reliability across both residential and rental properties. Call (508) 499-2571.

Cape Home And Personal Services in Osterville also specializes in property care and personal services for homeowners who aren't on-Cape full time. Reach them at (508) 419-6249.

Getting Your Driveway Cleared

Roads are one thing — Eversource and the towns will get to those. But your driveway and walkways are on you, and if emergency vehicles need to reach your home, access matters.

Two local companies with confirmed snow removal services and strong track records:

Pro Brighter Landscaping & Masonry in Hyannis carries a perfect 5.0 rating and is known specifically for meticulous snow removal alongside their landscaping work. Call (508) 635-9397.

Horticultural DNA Inc., also in Hyannis, has a dedicated team that handles snow removal even in challenging conditions. They're rated 4.7 with nearly 50 reviews. Call (508) 827-7248.

Many Cape landscaping companies also offer plowing as a winter service even if it's not front and center on their websites. If the names above are booked up, try reaching out to established landscapers in your area — Pessini Landscaping in Dennis (508-980-2065), Imperial Landscaping in South Dennis (508-241-1888), and Jeffrey Williams Landscaping in Mashpee (508-889-2561) are all highly rated and worth a call.

Warming Centers and Community Resources

When the power is out for days, sometimes you just need to get warm. Check with your town for designated warming centers — many open at community centers, libraries, and fire stations during extended outages. A few things to keep in mind:

• Barnstable County Emergency Management posts updates and shelter locations. Follow them on social media or check your town's website.
• Cape Cod Healthcare emergency departments at Cape Cod Hospital (Hyannis) and Falmouth Hospital remain operational. If anyone has a medical emergency, don't hesitate.
• Charge your devices at warming centers, libraries, or anywhere with power. Keep your phone charged enough to receive emergency alerts.
• Stock up on cash. When the power is out, card readers go down. Gas stations, convenience stores, and restaurants that manage to open may be cash-only.

Food and Water

• Fill bathtubs and large containers with water early if you anticipate a long outage. Even if municipal water keeps flowing, having a reserve for flushing and basic hygiene is smart.
• Eat perishable food first — fresh meat, dairy, leftovers. Save canned goods and shelf-stable food for later in the outage.
• If you have a gas stove, you can still cook. Light the burner with a match or lighter. If you only have electric, a camp stove or grill works outside.
• Don't eat food that has been above 40 degrees for more than two hours. When in doubt, throw it out. This is not the time for food poisoning.

What to Do With Your Time

This might sound strange, but multi-day power outages have a way of resetting things. Once you've handled safety and logistics:

• Break out the board games. Cards, puzzles, books — the stuff that gets buried behind screens the rest of the year.
• Get outside if it's safe. Once the storm clears, the Cape under fresh snow is genuinely stunning. Bundle up and take a walk.
• Cook together. If you've got a gas stove or a grill, making a meal with no distractions is oddly satisfying.
• Talk to your neighbors. Some of the strongest community bonds on Cape Cod get forged during storms like this.

The Week Ahead

Be patient with restoration. Eversource works from the main feeder lines out to individual streets, which means some areas will come back online days before others. If you see a downed power line, stay far away and report it immediately — call Eversource at 1-800-592-2000.

This storm will pass. The Cape has weathered worse. But right now, the priority is keeping yourself and your neighbors safe, protecting your home from water damage, and knowing that help is available when you need it.

Stay warm out there.