Essex County Power Outage History
2014–2025 · New Jersey
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 4, 2020 | 171 hrs | 85,509 (22%) | Hurricane Isaias |
| Mar 7, 2018 | 143 hrs | 32,291 (8%) | High Wind |
| May 12, 2016 | 3 hrs | 28,954 (7%) | Unnamed event |
| Apr 15, 2023 | 2 hrs | 28,478 (7%) | Unnamed event |
| Nov 18, 2019 | 1 hrs | 26,828 (7%) | Unnamed event |
Over the 12 years from 2014 to 2025, Essex County recorded 3,734 distinct power outage events, averaging 1.7 hours per event.
The single worst outage on record in Essex County started August 4, 2020 (Hurricane Isaias), lasting 171 hours and leaving up to 85,509 customers without power (22% of the county) at its peak.
July has historically been the worst month for outages in Essex County, with 402 events recorded during that month across the dataset.
Based on this history, Essex County earns a Reliability Grade of B, placing it in the 63rd percentile nationally for grid reliability (higher percentile = more reliable).
Sized for Essex County's outage profile
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Outage-prep kit
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Similar counties in New Jersey
Counties with the closest reliability grade and national percentile to Essex County.
| County | Grade | National percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Mercer County | B | 62nd |
| Union County | C | 60th |
| Atlantic County | B | 67th |
| Bergen County | C | 59th |
| Middlesex County | B | 69th |
FAQ
How often does power go out in Essex County?
Between 2014 and 2025, Essex County recorded 3,734 outage events, averaging 1.7 hours each.
What is Essex County's reliability grade?
Essex County has a Reliability Grade of B, in the 63rd national percentile.
What was the worst power outage in Essex County?
The worst outage on record started August 4, 2020 (Hurricane Isaias), lasting 171 hours and affecting up to 85,509 customers.