McDowell County Power Outage History
2014–2025 · North Carolina
Average — typical outage frequency and duration nationally. How grades are calculated
Outages by year
Outages by month (seasonality)
Worst outage events on record
| Date | Duration | Customers affected | Cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 17, 2021 | 23 hrs | 14,647 (42%) | Tropical Storm Fred |
| Dec 22, 2021 | 4 hrs | 3,884 (11%) | Unnamed event |
| Feb 2, 2021 | 1 hrs | 3,872 (11%) | Winter Storm |
| Oct 14, 2015 | 1 hrs | 3,751 (11%) | Unnamed event |
| Feb 16, 2016 | 16 hrs | 3,341 (10%) | Ice Storm |
Over the 12 years from 2014 to 2025, McDowell County recorded 992 distinct power outage events, averaging 3.6 hours per event.
The single worst outage on record in McDowell County started August 17, 2021 (Tropical Storm Fred), lasting 23 hours and leaving up to 14,647 customers without power (42% of the county) at its peak.
July has historically been the worst month for outages in McDowell County, with 122 events recorded during that month across the dataset.
Based on this history, McDowell County earns a Reliability Grade of C, placing it in the 56th percentile nationally for grid reliability (higher percentile = more reliable).
Sized for McDowell 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 McDowell County.
| County | Grade | National percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Davie County | C | 56th |
| Clay County | C | 56th |
| Randolph County | C | 56th |
| Buncombe County | C | 56th |
| Alleghany County | C | 57th |
FAQ
How often does power go out in McDowell County?
Between 2014 and 2025, McDowell County recorded 992 outage events, averaging 3.6 hours each.
What is McDowell County's reliability grade?
McDowell County has a Reliability Grade of C, in the 56th national percentile.
What was the worst power outage in McDowell County?
The worst outage on record started August 17, 2021 (Tropical Storm Fred), lasting 23 hours and affecting up to 14,647 customers.