Catawba County Power Outage History
2014–2025 · North Carolina
Worse than average — more frequent or longer 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 23, 2017 | 92 hrs | 30,796 (35%) | Thunderstorm Wind |
| Sep 27, 2024 | 236 hrs | 28,303 (32%) | Tropical Storm |
| Oct 29, 2020 | 107 hrs | 26,955 (31%) | Tropical Storm Zeta |
| Aug 7, 2023 | 14 hrs | 17,631 (20%) | Thunderstorm Wind |
| Aug 13, 2023 | 2 hrs | 17,282 (20%) | Thunderstorm Wind |
Over the 12 years from 2014 to 2025, Catawba County recorded 1,938 distinct power outage events, averaging 3.2 hours per event.
The single worst outage on record in Catawba County started October 23, 2017 (Thunderstorm Wind), lasting 92 hours and leaving up to 30,796 customers without power (35% of the county) at its peak.
July has historically been the worst month for outages in Catawba County, with 245 events recorded during that month across the dataset.
Based on this history, Catawba County earns a Reliability Grade of D, placing it in the 28th percentile nationally for grid reliability (higher percentile = more reliable).
Sized for Catawba 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 or the North Carolina storm prep checklist.
Similar counties in North Carolina
Counties with the closest reliability grade and national percentile to Catawba County.
| County | Grade | National percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Bladen County | D | 28th |
| Robeson County | D | 29th |
| Warren County | D | 28th |
| Guilford County | D | 30th |
| Hoke County | D | 30th |
FAQ
How often does power go out in Catawba County?
Between 2014 and 2025, Catawba County recorded 1,938 outage events, averaging 3.2 hours each.
What is Catawba County's reliability grade?
Catawba County has a Reliability Grade of D, in the 28th national percentile.
What was the worst power outage in Catawba County?
The worst outage on record started October 23, 2017 (Thunderstorm Wind), lasting 92 hours and affecting up to 30,796 customers.