Alas, this Blackout requires electricity to amplify the instruments.

What do you do during a real blackout?

I read a helpful article over at Resilient Communities a few days ago that addresses this topic.  It is a worthwhile read and has some good perspective on how more blackouts and brownouts may happen in the future.  There is a lot that goes into power distribution, management, and service, all of which affect its availability.

One other helpful hint, sign up for Twitter and find the accounts for your utility companies.  This can come in handy when there is a blackout and you aren’t able to use your computer, router, and monitor.