Between 2000 and 2023, the United States witnessed 2,194 major power outages, affecting 50,000+ customers or interrupting 300 megawatts of service or more. Of these incidents, 80% (1,755) were weather-related. These weather events include hurricanes, tornadoes, snow storms, and heat waves. The country's hardest-hit areas in 2024 include Puerto Rico–which has yet to recover from Hurricane Maria in 2017–and states hit by massive snowstorms, like Maine and New York.
Power disruptions cause a wave of concerns for homeowners. Having to endure the uncomfortable conditions of excessive heat or cold when an HVAC system cuts out is a minor inconvenience when you remember more crucial issues. Without power, you cannot cook or preserve refrigerated food or access hot water. In rural areas, where homeowners rely on well water, the pumps to access the water do not operate. Even more crucial is the homeowner who relies on power to refrigerate medication like insulin or run medical devices like CPAP machines. And yet, most Americans are unprepared.
In this article, we’ll reveal the number of power outages in each state over the last five years, highlighting the most heavily affected areas and the total duration of the incidents. We'll also look at solutions to help you minimize the impact of these power disruptions on your home.
Mapping the U.S. Power Outages by State
This state-by-state map of power outage incidents in the U.S. was created by compiling the latest data from the US Energy Information Administration. We analyzed their annual reports and aggregated the figures to reveal the number and duration of power disruptions throughout the country over the last five years.
Top 5 most affected states (2020 - 2024)
Texas is currently the most affected state, suffering 130 incidents since 2020, which amounted to an outage duration of over 4,186 hours. The longest power disruption in this area happened on February 10th, 2021, which lasted 312 consecutive hours (13 days) and affected 2 million consumers in the area.
California has been the second most affected state over the past five years, enduring 74 power disruptions lasting over 847 hours between them. As California regularly experiences extreme heat, energy consumption through AC puts pressure on the grid, leading to greater power outage risks if not regulated. The state responds to this by implementing contingency plans that rely on rolling blackouts to reduce power supply and maintain capacity during shortages.
Louisiana suffered the longest outage of these five states at 175 hours–or an entire week. The state's 49 events caused residents to be without power for a total of 1,253 hours–more than a month. Michigan and Kansas both experienced 37 events that led to outages lasting 955 and 634 hours, respectively.
Some areas of the country are much less affected by these disruptions than others. In fact, Alaska and Hawaii have had no recorded cases of power outages in the last five years.
The Current State of U.S. Power Outages in 2024
As we approach the second half of 2024, we can get an overview of how the year is going regarding power outages throughout the country and which states have been the most affected over the past few months.
Most affected states in 2024
So far this year, if looking at the duration in hours of outages, Michigan is the most affected state with 193 hours over 3 events. Puerto Rico is the region with the most events (29). But this is no surprise as the territory has struggled with keeping the power on ever since Hurricane Maria decimated its already crumbling infrastructure in 2017. To make matters worse, last month, Luma Energy, in charge of transmission and distribution for the territory, postponed $65 million worth of projects, such as replacing light posts, fire mitigation, and repairing underground circuits.
Hoping to alleviate some pressure, the US Department of Energy recently allotted $325 million to boost Puerto Rico solar projects for community centers, healthcare facilities, and subsidized, multi-family housing.
Illinois has already experienced six weather events, which is rare for this early in the season. A July storm left over 100,000 Chicago-area residents without power after at least 15 tornado warnings went out in one evening.
But warm weather storms are not the only culprit. In January, a massive winter storm left almost 1 million customers in 12 states without power. In New York, the outage lasted more than 46 hours, the state's longest outage so far this year.
Power outages are also on the rise in Maine, where rural residents suffer the most as the state's aging electrical infrastructure struggles to withstand extreme weather conditions. The longest outage in the state this year lasted more than two days as a major winter storm hit New England with over two feet of snow. Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont were also affected.
Homeowner's Guide to Power Outage Solutions
The severity of some power outage incidents only highlights the need for homeowners to prepare for such events. Identifying your home’s specific needs and being aware of your energy consumption is crucial in determining a suitable backup solution.
If you are looking for alternatives to back up your whole home rather than just the smaller and more essential areas, you may need to conduct an energy audit. This service will help you calculate and understand how much energy your appliances, lighting, and other household items use daily. With this information, you can decide which of the options mentioned below will best cover your needs in the case of a power outage in your area.
Home generators
Generators come in several sizes and models. They can provide enough power to keep home systems and appliances going when the electricity supply is interrupted. Portable generators range from small units that power specific areas to larger units that can power most of your home. These generators are not permanently installed and can be moved around easily. They can run off gasoline or diesel fuel and are refilled and started manually.
Whole-house or standby generators are a larger and considerably more expensive option, costing as much as $45,000 to install. These generators require a professional installation, must be connected to a continuous supply source, and use either propane or natural gas as fuel. They have a large storage capacity that can run several large appliances simultaneously. Depending on their size, most standby generators are capable enough to power your whole house and turn on automatically when the power from the grid is interrupted.
Good-quality medium-sized generators can run for around 3,000 hours, considering they are well-maintained. They last around 20 years at 150 hours per year. While some generators draw power from fossil fuels, others rely on renewable energy sources like the sun. Below, we list the most common generator power sources available.
Gasoline
Gasoline is one of the most common fuel options for portable generators. Its main advantage is that it's affordable and widely available compared to other fuels. The amount of gasoline needed will depend on the size and runtime of the generator or, rather, the duration of the outage.
Diesel
Another option for powering a portable generator is diesel. Like gasoline, the necessary amount to fuel the generator depends on its runtime and size. Diesel generators, however, tend to have a longer lifespan and perform more efficiently.
Propane
Propane is a common gas fuel used to run generators. The advantage of choosing a propane generator is that propane stores for longer periods and generally provides a greater energy output than other fuels.
Natural gas
Another option to fuel your generator is the home's natural gas supply. Since the gas is connected to the house, you have a constant fuel inflow and don't need to organize fuel storage. However, natural gas generators incur higher installation costs and pose a danger if a gas line breaks. Also, natural disasters often cause gas outages.
Solar
Solar generators work as a portable power station. They collect solar energy generated through solar panels and store it in their built-in battery for later use. Depending on the battery capacity and your energy usage, you can go up to two days without grid power. Solar generators are quiet, environmentally friendly, and low maintenance. The batteries are also safer to store than liquid propane, gasoline, or diesel fuel. However, they do involve a high initial investment.
"Small solar generators that can keep a few essential appliances running in an outage cost around $500 and $3,500," says Ben Zientara, a solar analyst with Solar Reviews, America's leading consumer reviews website for the solar industry. But don't let that low price tag fool you. You'll also need a solar panel to charge the generator. Portable solar panels could add another $1,000 to the project, "depending on how much daily energy capacity you need," says Zientara
One drawback of solar generators is that they need the sun to be recharged. However, according to Zientara, some select models can be recharged with grid power (when available) or DC power from a vehicle.
Geothermal
Geothermal energy is also an alternative solution to reduce your reliance on grid power, as it requires very little electricity to heat or cool a house. It can easily run with a small generator in the event of a power outage, generating heat from the ground and using less power than other conventional heating and cooling methods. Although it requires a significant investment upfront, it will save you money over time and reduce carbon emissions. A geothermal heating system can cost, on average, between $15,000 and $28,000, depending on the type and size of the system.
Battery backup power supply
Although a battery does not generate electricity, it can store it. This energy storage alternative can reduce or even eliminate the need for a generator. “A perfect storm of frequent power outages, changing energy policies, and expensive electric rates have made home battery systems more popular year after year," says Catherine Lane, a solar expert at Solar Reviews.
Battery backup systems generally cost more upfront but use no fuel once installed. "As more are installed, the upfront costs should drop, making battery backup power accessible to more homeowners," says Lane.
If you already have a system in place, you can charge batteries by plugging them into the grid, a generator, or green energy sources such as solar panels. You can also store charged batteries so they're available to use in case of an outage. Batteries can also be charged during an off-peak tariff and used during peak times to reduce your energy bills.
However, over time, all battery systems lose the ability to hold a charge. Hence, battery warranties include an end-of-warranty capacity rating, which refers to how well a battery can hold a charge by the end of the warranty period. Some battery manufacturers have a throughput warranty, which means that rather than covering a certain amount of time, the warranty covers a certain number of charge cycles or energy throughput.
Do solar panels work during a power outage?
Contrary to popular belief, solar energy will not power a home during an outage unless connected to battery storage. Your system needs to include energy storage for a grid-tied system, or you can opt for an off-grid solar system instead. The size of your home, the number of panels you install, and your region’s climate will all impact how much energy you can save.
Expert Solutions to Prevent a Power Outage in Your Home
The reasons for power outages can vary greatly, from accidents to weather-related circumstances. It’s not always possible to prevent them, but you can still take action to reduce the probability of them occurring near your home. Here are a few expert suggestions to ensure your power stays on, if possible.
Install an uninterruptible power supply (UPS)
A UPS provides backup power as quickly as possible during a power failure. They also protect electronics, freezers, and medical devices during periods of power quality issues, like brownouts or power surges. "A UPS can provide immediate, short-term power during an outage, giving you enough time to shut down or switch to a backup generator safely," says Cameron Lee, electrical engineer and CEO of ACCURL.
Regular service and maintenance of your backup power systems
Regular service and maintenance are essential to ensure a backup power system consistently operates efficiently and optimally. "Regular inspections and maintenance of your electrical systems are vital," says Lee. "Homeowners should have a licensed electrician inspect their home's wiring, outlets, and circuit breakers periodically to identify and fix any potential issues before they lead to outages." An electrical inspection costs between $300 and $500.
Reduce tree-related electrical outages
Tree and plant trimming around power lines and overhanging roofs are essential for the safety and reliability of electrical systems. As a homeowner, you’re responsible for keeping the service wires on your property clear of vegetation. "If trees on your property are threatening power lines, contact your utility company to have them trimmed professionally," says Jack Golini, founder of Golini Roofing in Massachusetts. The national average cost to trim a tree is between $175 and $750. However, most utility companies cover this cost.
Trees overhanging your home make regular roof and gutter maintenance imperative. According to Golini, fallen debris builds up and threatens the roof and your electrical system. "The build-up prevents proper water flow and drainage, which can lead to leaks that damage the attic and compromise power lines." He recommends cleaning the roof and gutters at least twice yearly to reduce the risk of power issues.
Reduce your energy consumption
Residential blackouts generally occur during periods of increased energy usage if the power grid becomes overwhelmed, which causes the power to fail. You can lower the chances of this happening by reducing your energy consumption. Switch off appliances and lights when not in use, purchase low-energy appliances, and have them checked once a year.
Weather-Related Power Outages on the Rise
According to Climate Central, an independent group of scientists who research and report how climate changes affect people’s lives, weather-related power outages are increasing. Twice the number of weather-related outages occurred in the U.S. from 2014 to 2023 than in the previous ten-year period. In light of this data, it stands to reason that you'd want to reduce your dependence on the electrical grid.
"Using a UPS for critical devices, ensuring regular electrical system maintenance, and having a proper emergency preparedness plan will allow homeowners to better safeguard against power outages and ensure their safety and comfort during unexpected power failures," says Lee.
Carol J Alexander is a home remodeling industry expert for Fixr.com. For more than 15 years as a journalist and content marketer, her in-depth research, interviewing skills, and technical insight have ensured she provides the most accurate and current information on a given topic. Before joining the Fixr team, her personal clients included leaders in the building materials market like Behr Paint Company, CertainTeed, and Chicago Faucet, and national publications like This Old House and Real Homes.