Putnam CountyPower Outage History
2014–2025 · Illinois
Worse than average — more frequent or longer outages than most counties.
Outages by year
Outages by month (seasonality)
Worst outage events on record
| Date | Duration | Customers affected | Cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 10, 2020 | 77 hrs | 3,191 (76%) | Thunderstorm Wind |
| Apr 1, 2023 | 3 hrs | 2,932 (69%) | Unnamed event |
| Aug 9, 2021 | 4 hrs | 2,361 (56%) | Unnamed event |
| Jan 15, 2016 | <1 hr | 2,355 (56%) | Unnamed event |
| May 8, 2023 | 24 hrs | 1,962 (46%) | Thunderstorm Wind |
Over the 12 years from 2014 to 2025, Putnam County recorded 458 distinct power outage events, averaging 3.7 hours per event.
The single worst outage on record in Putnam County started August 10, 2020 (Thunderstorm Wind), lasting 77 hours and leaving up to 3,191 customers without power (76% of the county) at its peak.
July has historically been the worst month for outages in Putnam County, with 55 events recorded during that month across the dataset.
Based on this history, Putnam County earns a Reliability Grade of D, placing it in the 26th percentile nationally for grid reliability (higher percentile = more reliable).
Sized for Putnam 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.
Similar counties in Illinois
Counties with the closest reliability grade and national percentile to Putnam County.
| County | Grade | National percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Edgar County | D | 29th |
| Marshall County | D | 22nd |
| Washington County | D | 31st |
| De Witt County | D | 32nd |
| Henderson County | F | 19th |
Most reliable counties in Illinois
The top 3 counties in Illinois by reliability grade and percentile.
| County | Grade | National percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Wabash County | A | 97th |
| Massac County | A | 94th |
| Kendall County | A | 93rd |
Least reliable counties in Illinois
The bottom 3 counties in Illinois by reliability grade and percentile.
| County | Grade | National percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Mercer County | F | 11th |
| Stark County | F | 13th |
| Henderson County | F | 19th |
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 Putnam County?
Between 2014 and 2025, Putnam County recorded 458 outage events, averaging 3.7 hours each.
What is Putnam County's reliability grade?
Putnam County has a Reliability Grade of D, in the 26th national percentile.
What was the worst power outage in Putnam County?
The worst outage on record started August 10, 2020 (Thunderstorm Wind), lasting 77 hours and affecting up to 3,191 customers.