There was a big storm in Mississauga last night, and the weather channel predicted heavy rain, lightning, and “toonie-sized hail”. If you’re not familiar with Canadian currency, a toonie is our $2 coin, and about the same diameter as a golf ball.
Fortunately, the storm wasn’t as severe as predicted, at least in our neighbourhood, and we didn’t lose power. It went out in some areas of Toronto, but was restored quickly.
Video: Mississauga Storm
Here’s a quick glimpse of the evening’s weather, in a short video. It started with an hour or so of spectacular sheet lightning, with no thunder. Just after 10 PM the heavy rain started, and there was some thunder and lightning, but no hail.
Power Outage in 2003
Last night’s storm warnings reminded me of the great power outage that hit Ontario, and northeastern USA, on August 14, 2003. Some people were without power for a couple of days, and many businesses had to shut down until the power was restored. You couldn’t even get gas for your car, because all the pumps need electricity.
So, I tried to prepare for this storm, by collecting a few flashlights, and testing them.
My office has an Uninterrupted Power Supply, so that lets me shut things down slowly, if the power goes out. Also, I do most of my work on a laptop, and that keeps going for a few hours.
No Internet
The big problem, of course, for computer-based work, is lack of connection to the internet. The home office modem would stop working if the power goes out, so the wireless network would shut down.
The iPhone might still work, if Bell Canada can keep their service up and running. That would let me connect to Gmail, and make a few minor changes on my website and blog, if necessary. It’s not easy to do any real work on the phone though.
For offsite storage, I use Dropbox, and copies of those files are on my laptop too, so I could keep working on key project without power, as long as my laptop lasts. I just wouldn’t be able to send files to a client – but they might be shut down too!
No Coffee
And I just remembered another essential tool that wouldn’t work in a power outage – my coffee maker. Maybe I could boil water on the barbecue, and use a French press for a couple of days, just like the pioneers did in the olden days. 
Other Survival Tips
I’m sure there are other power outage office survival tips that I’ve forgotten, and will add them later, if I remember.
Are you prepared, so you can keep your home office running for a while, if the power ever goes out for an extended period?
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