A power outage, also known as a blackout, is the loss of electrical power in a specific area. This can happen for various reasons, such as equipment failure, severe weather, or damage to power lines. During a power outage, homes and businesses lose access to electricity, which can affect lighting, heating, cooling, and the operation of appliances and electronics. Power outages can last from a few minutes to several hours or longer, depending on the cause and how quickly the issue is resolved.