More than 350,000 lost power across the Carolinas after Hurricane Ian made landfall Friday afternoon. As of 11 am Saturday morning, more than 10,000 in Mecklenburg county alone remain in the dark.

Even if your fridge is still cool, some of that food may have spoiled. According to the USDA, perishable foods like meat, dairy and leftovers should be tossed after 4 hours. Once the temperature of your fridge gets above 40F, then the clock begins ticking on what you can save and what needs to be thrown away. Many perishable foods that need to stay in the fridge become unsafe to eat after being held above 40F for more than 2 hours.

If you’re still unsure, here’s a handy list from USDA:

Your freezer can stay totally frozen for more than 24 hours. Food will generally remain safe to eat from the freezer up to 48 hours after losing power.

Try your best to keep your fridge and freezer doors closed as much as possible during a power outage. Store frozen water bottles, or buy bags of ice to help preserve food. Never test the food to see if its safe to eat.

And remember to download the WCCB Weather App. Even if the power goes out, you will still be able to receive alerts and video updates on the latest weather.

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