During the unprecedented heat wave in July 2023, Phoenix residents faced extreme temperatures exceeding 110°F for 31 consecutive days.
The relentless heat strained the power grid, leading to unexpected outages in several neighborhoods.
We caught up with Jason, who shared his story and experience with us during this blackout. What started as a casual purchase ended up making him the go-to guy on the block when the lights went out.
Jason Miller’s community was among those affected, enduring a blackout that lasted nearly 18 hours.
While many scrambled to cope with the sweltering conditions without electricity, Jason had a solution: a portable power station he had purchased earlier that year.
“I didn’t buy it because I’m paranoid or anything,” he told us, laughing. “I just wanted to be a little more prepared. I had no idea it’d make me the guy people came to when things got real.”
Here’s Jason’s story—in his own words.
Interview with Jason Miller, 38, from Phoenix, Arizona
Father of two, weekend camper, and self-proclaimed “accidental prepper.”
The First Thing I Did? Power Up.
I charged my phone. Then my neighbor’s. Then the one across the street.
People were texting family, checking in on older relatives, looking up news about the outage.
One guy even plugged in his CPAP machine. Another charged up a small fan for his newborn.
Suddenly, this little grey box turned into a neighborhood charging station.
People were grateful—some were emotional. And I’ll admit: I felt good. Not just because I had power, but because I could share it.
What was going through your mind when the power first went out?
Jason:
“Honestly, I had that little spike of panic at first—mainly because of the heat and the kids. But then I remembered the power station in the garage. Once I had it up and running, I felt this instant wave of calm, like, ‘Okay—we’ve got this.’ It was a huge relief.”
I Didn’t Expect to Become “That Guy”
You know, the one people thank. The one others say, “I should really get one of those too.”
But I did.
Not because I’m some prepper or survivalist. Just someone who made a small decision that had a big impact.
Funny how a simple piece of gear can make you feel empowered, capable, and a little bit like a hero when it counts.
What made you decide to buy a power station in the first place?
Jason:
“I guess it was a mix of wanting to be more self-reliant and doing right by my family. I’ve got two kids. If something goes wrong, I don’t want to be the dad who’s unprepared. I want to be the guy who’s ready—even just a little bit.”
This Wasn’t Just a Blackout—It Was a Wake-Up Call
We rely on power for everything, but we rarely think about it until it’s gone.
That night, I realized: it’s not about fearing the worst—it’s about being prepared just enough to handle it.
Now I bring my portable station on road trips, camping, and even just out back during BBQs.
I charge it with solar panels. It’s clean, quiet, and oddly satisfying to use. But more than anything, it gives me a sense of security and freedom I didn’t expect.
Did owning a power station change how you think about emergencies now?
Jason:
“Definitely. I used to feel kind of helpless when stuff like that happened—like you just had to ride it out. But now, I feel more in control. I know I can keep things running, even just the basics. That confidence is worth way more than what I paid for the unit.”
Blackouts Happen More Often
Power Outages Surge Across the US. Data from the Climate Central show that over the last past 20 years, power outages have significantly increased.
In 80% of the cases blackouts are caused by severe weather, directly related to climate change.
If You’ve Been Thinking About Getting One… This Is Your Sign
What would you say to someone who’s on the fence about getting one?
Jason:
“I’d say—do it not just for yourself, but for the people around you. We always talk about community and looking out for each other… well, this is a way to actually do that. You might not use it every day, but when the moment comes, it matters. And your kids see that. They learn from that.”
You don’t need a disaster to justify it. You just need to want to take care of yourself and your people.
Whether it’s for peace of mind, powering your next trip, or helping someone out when they least expect it—it’s worth it.
And who knows?
Next time the lights go out…
You might be the hero on your street.
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