Severe weather has long been a part of Oklahoma’s history, from tornadoes and ice storms to wildfires and floods. The first tornado of 2026 has already been recorded, and winter weather continues to pose the risk of power outages that can last for hours or even days.

Christi Evans, Oklahoma State University Extension food safety specialist, said maintaining safe food temperatures during outages is critical to preventing food-borne illnesses.

She recommends keeping an appliance thermometer in both the refrigerator and freezer at all times. Proper refrigerator temperature should be 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below, while freezers should remain at 0 degrees Fahrenheit or below.

With today’s advanced weather forecasting, residents often have time to prepare ahead of storms. Foods that can be frozen should be moved from the refrigerator to the freezer before a storm hits.

Once the power goes out, refrigerator and freezer doors should remain closed as much as possible. A refrigerator will typically hold a safe temperature for about four hours. If the temperature rises above 40 degrees Fahrenheit for more than two hours, most refrigerated food should be discarded.

Items that should be thrown out include raw or leftover meat, lunchmeat, salads, soft and shredded cheeses, milk, yogurt, eggs and most salad dressings. Foods that may be kept include hard cheeses, bread, tortillas, jelly and uncut fresh fruits and vegetables. Additional guidance on what to keep or discard is available online through OSU Extension.

A full freezer can maintain safe temperatures for approximately two days. If food still contains ice crystals and feels cold, it can be safely refrozen. However, food that has completely thawed and exceeded 40 degrees Fahrenheit should be discarded.

Evans also suggests filling plastic gallon jugs with water and storing them in the freezer. The frozen jugs help maintain cold temperatures during outages and can provide drinking water for households on well systems if pumps are not operational.

If an outage is expected to last an extended period, food can be transferred to an ice chest with ice packs. Including a thermometer in the ice chest can help ensure temperatures remain below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

Keeping shelf-stable foods on hand is another important step in emergency preparedness. Canned meats, vegetables and fruits, along with items such as peanut butter and dried milk, can help families stay nourished while waiting for power to be restored.

Evans emphasized that food safety should always come first. When there is uncertainty about whether food is safe to eat, it is best to discard it.

OSU Extension offers additional food safety resources online for residents seeking more information on handling food during power outages.