A method for avoiding data loss in a storage system is disclosed. In one embodiment, such a method includes monitoring a degradation level associated with a battery. The battery provides backup power to a storage system in the event of a primary power outage. The storage system includes volatile storage media storing modified data to destage to more persistent storage media, such as an array of storage drives. In the event the degradation level crosses a designated threshold, the method automatically takes steps to alter a time period needed to completely copy the modified data off of the volatile storage media. A corresponding system and computer program product are also disclosed.