Durham 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 15, 2023 | 55 hrs | 67,952 (39%) | Thunderstorm Wind |
| Feb 26, 2015 | 44 hrs | 39,748 (23%) | Winter Weather |
| Sep 30, 2022 | 56 hrs | 34,256 (20%) | Hurricane Ian |
| Oct 11, 2018 | 76 hrs | 27,697 (16%) | Tropical Storm Michael |
| Dec 23, 2022 | 37 hrs | 25,229 (14%) | Unnamed event |
Over the 12 years from 2014 to 2025, Durham County recorded 4,249 distinct power outage events, averaging 3.1 hours per event.
The single worst outage on record in Durham County started August 15, 2023 (Thunderstorm Wind), lasting 55 hours and leaving up to 67,952 customers without power (39% of the county) at its peak.
July has historically been the worst month for outages in Durham County, with 481 events recorded during that month across the dataset.
Based on this history, Durham County earns a Reliability Grade of D, placing it in the 38th percentile nationally for grid reliability (higher percentile = more reliable).
Sized for Durham County's outage profile
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Similar counties in North Carolina
Counties with the closest reliability grade and national percentile to Durham County.
| County | Grade | National percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Brunswick County | D | 38th |
| Caldwell County | D | 39th |
| Orange County | D | 38th |
| Person County | D | 39th |
| Onslow County | D | 40th |
FAQ
How often does power go out in Durham County?
Between 2014 and 2025, Durham County recorded 4,249 outage events, averaging 3.1 hours each.
What is Durham County's reliability grade?
Durham County has a Reliability Grade of D, in the 38th national percentile.
What was the worst power outage in Durham County?
The worst outage on record started August 15, 2023 (Thunderstorm Wind), lasting 55 hours and affecting up to 67,952 customers.