WAPA Went Out Again. Here's the Generator I Use and Everything Else You Can Use During a Power Outage
- May 31
- 6 min read
Updated: Jun 2
The power has gone out more than four times in less than 24 hours here in St. Thomas.
If you live in the Virgin Islands, you already know this is not unusual. WAPA does not give warnings. One minute you have power, the next you are sitting in the dark hoping it comes back before the food in your fridge goes bad and the house turns into a sauna.
I have been through enough outages to know that being prepared is not optional here — it is just smart living. Last year my daughters and I set up a dual fuel inverter generator and it changed how we handle outages entirely. Some of the items below I own and use personally. Others I researched and added to my Amazon list because they belong in every USVI home.
Here is all of it in one place.
Disclaimer: Some links in this post are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
The Generator I Actually Use: Genmax Dual Fuel Inverter Generator
I bought this myself back in 2024. My daughters and I set it up together and it has been one of the best decisions I made for this house.
It runs quieter than a traditional generator, light enough to move around on its own wheels, and runs on gas or propane — whichever you have available. During our last outage it powered the water pump, refrigerator, internet router, fans in multiple rooms, the TV, and kept all our devices charged. We used extension cords to connect everything. Not the most permanent setup but it works fast and does not require an electrician.
Key features:
Push button start, pull start, or remote start
Dual fuel: gasoline or propane
CO detection with automatic shutoff
Digital display and LED light
4,600 starting watts on gas / 4,200 on propane
3,800 running watts on gas / 3,500 on propane
240V ready
Comes with funnel, propane gas line, and oil
Wheels and telescopic handle
Important for VI residents: Amazon will not show this as available if your delivery address is in the Virgin Islands. See the Shipping section below for exactly how I got mine here.
This generator is my new best friend, and trust me, you need one too. Don’t get caught in the dark—literally! It’s perfect for keeping things cozy and connected when the power decides to take a vacation.
Before You Start the Generator — Get These First
Running a generator without the right accessories is how things go wrong. These three items are non-negotiable.
 | RVGUARD 4 Prong 30 Amp 25 Foot Generator Extension Cord — $65.99 A standard household extension cord is not rated for generator load and can overheat. Get a proper 30 amp rated cord before you need it. |
 | POWGRN 50 ft 12/3 Outdoor Extension Cord Waterproof Heavy Duty — $40.99 For reaching further distances from the generator to the house. Heavy duty, weatherproof, with a lighted indicator so you know it is live. |
 | STA-BIL Storage Fuel Stabilizer — $10.99 If your generator sits between hurricane seasons the fuel goes stale and it will not start when you need it most. Add stabilizer before you store it. Keeps fuel fresh for up to 24 months. |
No Generator? These Keep You Powered
Not everyone is ready to invest in a generator yet. These two items give you serious backup power without one.
 | Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus Portable Power Station — $899.00 A high capacity portable power station that can run appliances, charge devices, and power lights for hours. Charge it from the generator or from solar panels. When you want to run something quietly overnight without burning fuel, this is the move. |
 | ECO-WORTHY 200 Watts 12V/24V Solar Panel Kit — $179.99 Pairs directly with the Jackery or any solar-compatible power station. Free energy from the VI sun means you are not burning gas for every small charge. The sun here is not going anywhere. |
 | sharge Laptop Power Bank 25000mAh — $109.00 Keeps your laptop alive during outages, not just your phone. If you work from home or run a business this one matters. |
 | ANKER 737 Power Bank — $109.00 High output for charging multiple devices fast. One of the most reliable power banks available. |
What I Actually Keep in My House
These are the items I own and use. When the power goes out these are already here and ready.
 | Neporal A19 Rechargeable Emergency Light Bulbs — $28.99 The most underrated item on this entire list. They screw into your existing light sockets and work like a normal bulb when the power is on. When the power goes out you flip your existing wall switch and they come on automatically. No flashlight, no fumbling in the dark. I have them in every room. |
 | LHKNL Headlamp Flashlight — $19.99 Hands-free lighting for cooking, moving around the house at night, or checking on the generator. I keep multiple in the house. |
 | Collapsible Portable LED Camping Lantern — $20.59 Better than a flashlight for lighting a whole room. Collapsible and easy to store. I keep one in the kitchen and one in the bedroom. |
 | VOSFEEL Camping Fan 20000mAh Battery Powered with LED Lantern — $36.00 The heat in the VI during an outage is serious. This runs on a built-in rechargeable battery and doubles as a lantern. I use it overnight when I do not want to run the generator. |
 | LifeStraw Personal Water Filter — $51.02 For when a major storm takes out both power and water service. The LifeStraw lets you drink safely from any water source. I keep mine stored and ready. I hope I never have to use it but it is there. |
 | eufy Security SoloCam E30 2 Pack — $194.97 Runs on battery so it keeps monitoring your property even when the power is out. No electricity required. |
 | Masthome Spin Mop Bucket System — $41.99 No power needed. Life does not stop during an outage. Floors still need cleaning and this gets it done without electricity. |
Everything Else Worth Having
These items round out a complete USVI outage preparedness setup. You do not need all of them at once — but knowing what exists and having a plan before the next outage is what separates prepared from scrambling.
 | Extension Cord 15 ft Power Strip with 6 Outlets 4 USB Charger — $23.99 For powering multiple devices from a single generator outlet inside the house. The USB ports mean fewer adapters. |
 | Portable Air Conditioner — Evaporative Personal Air Cooler — $49.99 Low wattage and uses water to cool the immediate area. A practical option for keeping one room manageable during a long outage. |
 | Emergency Hand Crank Weather Radio 14800mWh Solar — $28.49 When a major storm knocks out power for days you need a way to receive emergency updates without draining your phone. Hand crank and solar means no batteries required. |
 | Floor Lamp 42W 4200LM Torchiere LED — $49.99 A bright energy-efficient floor lamp for when you need real lighting, not just a lantern. Low wattage means it runs easily off a power station. |
 | luckystyle Floor Lamp Super Bright Dimmable — $44.51 Similar to the above but dimmable. Good for bedroom or living room use when running off backup power and you want to conserve. |
 | Instant Pot Duo Crisp 11-in-1 Air Fryer and Pressure Cooker — $169.00 Lower wattage than a full stove and cooks a full meal fast. When you are managing generator fuel this matters. Useful year round, not just during outages. |
 | Coleman Vintage 54qt Steel Belted Cooler — $159.99 When the fridge goes down this is what saves your food. Keeps ice for days. The steel belted construction holds temperature longer than plastic coolers. |
 | Portable Hand Powered Clothes Washing Machine — $34.99 When the power has been out for two or three days laundry does not stop. This lets you hand wash clothes in any bucket or tub — no electricity, no machine, no problem. Works well paired with the spin mop bucket. |
How to Get These Shipped to the Virgin Islands
Amazon restricts delivery on many items to USVI addresses. Here is exactly what I do.
I ship through St. Thomas Cargo. I place my Amazon order using their Florida warehouse address, email them my invoice, and they ship it here and handle customs clearance. For the generator I paid $79.99 in shipping through St. Thomas Cargo. Pricing varies depending on the item.
St. Thomas and St. John: St. Thomas Cargo — sttcargo.com
St. Croix: VI Cargo — vicargo.com
Neither is a sponsor. I am a customer sharing what works.
Do not wait until the next outage to get ready. The worst time to figure this out is when you are already sitting in the dark.
If this post helped you, share it with someone who lives in the VI. Questions about any of these items or how to get them shipped here? Drop them in the comments below.
Stay connected for more practical VI guides and updates:
Subscribe on YouTube: youtube.com/@flodynastyvi
Join the WhatsApp channel for VI news: whatsapp.com/channel/0029VafRTXuFsn0n2ItuLH15
Just Go with the Flo!
#FloDynasty #VirginIslands #hurricane #poweroutage #offthegrid #usvi #virginislands #WAPA, #generator #backuppower, #Amazon, #preparedness
Comments