Howard County Power Outage History
2014–2025 · Maryland
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 21, 2016 | 8 hrs | 23,403 (16%) | Tornado |
| Mar 2, 2018 | 31 hrs | 21,220 (15%) | Dense Fog |
| Jan 9, 2024 | 26 hrs | 19,425 (13%) | Winter Weather |
| Jul 5, 2023 | 1 hrs | 18,761 (13%) | Thunderstorm Wind |
| Feb 16, 2025 | 66 hrs | 16,396 (11%) | Winter Storm |
Over the 12 years from 2014 to 2025, Howard County recorded 1,151 distinct power outage events, averaging 2.1 hours per event.
The single worst outage on record in Howard County started June 21, 2016 (Tornado), lasting 8 hours and leaving up to 23,403 customers without power (16% of the county) at its peak.
July has historically been the worst month for outages in Howard County, with 160 events recorded during that month across the dataset.
Based on this history, Howard County earns a Reliability Grade of B, placing it in the 78th percentile nationally for grid reliability (higher percentile = more reliable).
Sized for Howard County's outage profile
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Outage-prep kit
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Similar counties in Maryland
Counties with the closest reliability grade and national percentile to Howard County.
| County | Grade | National percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Caroline County | B | 79th |
| Queen Anne's County | B | 79th |
| Charles County | A | 80th |
| Calvert County | B | 76th |
| St. Mary's County | A | 81st |
FAQ
How often does power go out in Howard County?
Between 2014 and 2025, Howard County recorded 1,151 outage events, averaging 2.1 hours each.
What is Howard County's reliability grade?
Howard County has a Reliability Grade of B, in the 78th national percentile.
What was the worst power outage in Howard County?
The worst outage on record started June 21, 2016 (Tornado), lasting 8 hours and affecting up to 23,403 customers.