Butte CountyPower Outage History
2017–2025 · Idaho
Worse than average — more frequent or longer outages than most counties. This county's recorded history shows more frequent outages and/or longer restoration times than most US counties over the same 12-year period. If you live here, it's worth taking backup power more seriously than an average household would.
Outages by year
Outages by month (seasonality)
Worst outage events on record
| Date | Duration | Customers affected | Cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 20, 2020 | 4 hrs | 1,044 (100%) | Unnamed event |
| Jul 19, 2023 | 4 hrs | 1,043 (100%) | Unnamed event |
| Jun 11, 2025 | 3 hrs | 668 (64%) | Lightning |
| Oct 19, 2022 | <1 hr | 652 (62%) | Unnamed event |
| Sep 12, 2017 | 3 hrs | 648 (62%) | Unnamed event |
Over the 9 years from 2017 to 2025, Butte County recorded 188 distinct power outage events, averaging 3.0 hours per event.
The single worst outage on record in Butte County started September 20, 2020, lasting 4 hours and leaving up to 1,044 customers without power (100% of the county) at its peak.
July has historically been the worst month for outages in Butte County, with 23 events recorded during that month across the dataset.
Based on this history, Butte County earns a Reliability Grade of D, placing it in the 27th percentile nationally for grid reliability (higher percentile = more reliable).
Sized for Butte County's outage profile
See more picks in our Best Dual-Fuel Portable Generators for Power Outages roundup.
Champion Power Equipment 4375-Watt Dual Fuel RV Ready Portable Generator with Free 3-Year Warranty
Outage-prep kit
See our outage-prep guides.
No ads. No data selling. This site runs entirely on Amazon affiliate commissions — buying through our links costs you nothing extra and keeps it free for everyone.
Read our mission →Similar counties in Idaho
Counties with the closest reliability grade and national percentile to Butte County.
| County | Grade | National percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Adams County | D | 27th |
| Power County | D | 22nd |
| Valley County | D | 32nd |
| Shoshone County | D | 21st |
| Latah County | D | 34th |
Most reliable counties in Idaho
The top 3 counties in Idaho by reliability grade and percentile.
| County | Grade | National percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Minidoka County | A | 95th |
| Camas County | A | 92nd |
| Ada County | A | 92nd |
Least reliable counties in Idaho
The bottom 3 counties in Idaho by reliability grade and percentile.
| County | Grade | National percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Clearwater County | F | 3rd |
| Bonner County | F | 10th |
| Boise County | F | 14th |
Most reliable counties nationally
The top 3 counties nationally by reliability grade and percentile.
| County | State | Grade | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clay County | South Dakota | A | 100th |
| Clearwater County | Minnesota | A | 99th |
| Limestone County | Alabama | A | 99th |
Least reliable counties nationally
The bottom 3 counties nationally by reliability grade and percentile.
| County | State | Grade | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clay County | West Virginia | F | 0th |
| Lincoln County | West Virginia | F | 0th |
| Cameron Parish | Louisiana | F | 0th |
FAQ
How often does power go out in Butte County?
Between 2017 and 2025, Butte County recorded 188 outage events, averaging 3.0 hours each.
What is Butte County's reliability grade?
Butte County has a Reliability Grade of D, in the 27th national percentile.
What was the worst power outage in Butte County?
The worst outage on record started September 20, 2020, lasting 4 hours and affecting up to 1,044 customers.