A prolonged power outage is inconvenient in the first hour and potentially expensive by the following day. Beyond flashlights and phone chargers, households may be facing spoiled groceries, temporary accommodation, and the cost of replacing essential supplies. People exploring ways to compare emergency borrowing choices should first separate the losses that truly require immediate spending from expenses that insurance, community resources, or a little planning might cover. That distinction can prevent a stressful blackout from becoming an even larger financial setback.…