Shelby County Power Outage History
2015–2025 · Iowa
Better than average — fewer or shorter outages than most counties. How grades are calculated
Outages by year
Outages by month (seasonality)
Worst outage events on record
| Date | Duration | Customers affected | Cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 19, 2025 | 30 hrs | 2,018 (28%) | Blizzard |
| Oct 20, 2023 | 2 hrs | 1,540 (22%) | Unnamed event |
| Mar 5, 2025 | 14 hrs | 1,065 (15%) | High Wind |
| Apr 26, 2024 | 21 hrs | 1,046 (15%) | Tornado |
| Nov 26, 2015 | 5 hrs | 1,017 (14%) | Winter Storm |
Over the 11 years from 2015 to 2025, Shelby County recorded 262 distinct power outage events, averaging 2.8 hours per event.
The single worst outage on record in Shelby County started March 19, 2025 (Blizzard), lasting 30 hours and leaving up to 2,018 customers without power (28% of the county) at its peak.
July has historically been the worst month for outages in Shelby County, with 42 events recorded during that month across the dataset.
Based on this history, Shelby County earns a Reliability Grade of B, placing it in the 77th percentile nationally for grid reliability (higher percentile = more reliable).
Sized for Shelby County's outage profile
See more picks in our Best Small Power Stations (Under 1,000Wh) roundup.
Outage-prep kit
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Similar counties in Iowa
Counties with the closest reliability grade and national percentile to Shelby County.
| County | Grade | National percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Page County | B | 77th |
| Lyon County | B | 78th |
| Audubon County | B | 78th |
| Dallas County | B | 76th |
| Crawford County | B | 79th |
FAQ
How often does power go out in Shelby County?
Between 2015 and 2025, Shelby County recorded 262 outage events, averaging 2.8 hours each.
What is Shelby County's reliability grade?
Shelby County has a Reliability Grade of B, in the 77th national percentile.
What was the worst power outage in Shelby County?
The worst outage on record started March 19, 2025 (Blizzard), lasting 30 hours and affecting up to 2,018 customers.