Rice County Power Outage History
2015–2025 · Minnesota
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 6, 2016 | 19 hrs | 12,884 (44%) | Hail |
| Sep 21, 2018 | 75 hrs | 8,760 (30%) | Strong Wind |
| Aug 10, 2018 | 1 hrs | 4,829 (17%) | Unnamed event |
| Apr 19, 2023 | 1 hrs | 4,734 (16%) | Unnamed event |
| Apr 12, 2022 | 20 hrs | 3,893 (13%) | Thunderstorm Wind |
Over the 11 years from 2015 to 2025, Rice County recorded 273 distinct power outage events, averaging 2.5 hours per event.
The single worst outage on record in Rice County started July 6, 2016 (Hail), lasting 19 hours and leaving up to 12,884 customers without power (44% of the county) at its peak.
June has historically been the worst month for outages in Rice County, with 51 events recorded during that month across the dataset.
Based on this history, Rice County earns a Reliability Grade of B, placing it in the 72nd percentile nationally for grid reliability (higher percentile = more reliable).
Sized for Rice County's outage profile
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Outage-prep kit
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Similar counties in Minnesota
Counties with the closest reliability grade and national percentile to Rice County.
| County | Grade | National percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Goodhue County | B | 73rd |
| Ramsey County | B | 71st |
| Dodge County | B | 70th |
| Waseca County | B | 69th |
| Yellow Medicine County | B | 68th |
FAQ
How often does power go out in Rice County?
Between 2015 and 2025, Rice County recorded 273 outage events, averaging 2.5 hours each.
What is Rice County's reliability grade?
Rice County has a Reliability Grade of B, in the 72nd national percentile.
What was the worst power outage in Rice County?
The worst outage on record started July 6, 2016 (Hail), lasting 19 hours and affecting up to 12,884 customers.