Fox’s advice, however, is easier said than done. Not everyone can afford to be a prepper, and most people live in cities and rely on power companies to do their job.
“We can't just leave everyone to their own devices, to hope that individuals are able to protect themselves from power outages,” said Simon Mahan, director of the Southern Renewable Energy Association.
Even if you can produce your own electricity, Mahan said, “if the grocery store down the street doesn't have power, you won't be buying groceries.”
Correction: This story originally stated that a study found 70% of power plants in the south were vulnerable to flooding. It has been updated to reflect that it was substations, not power plants.
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This story was produced by the Gulf States Newsroom, a collaboration between WWNO in New Orleans, WBHM in Birmingham, Alabama, Mississippi Public Broadcasting and NPR.