Rutherford 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 29, 2020 | 108 hrs | 20,725 (52%) | Unnamed event |
| Dec 9, 2018 | 111 hrs | 14,250 (36%) | Heavy Snow |
| Aug 17, 2021 | 21 hrs | 11,345 (29%) | Unnamed event |
| Oct 10, 2015 | 1 hrs | 9,317 (23%) | Unnamed event |
| Feb 24, 2016 | 35 hrs | 5,418 (14%) | Thunderstorm Wind |
Over the 12 years from 2014 to 2025, Rutherford County recorded 1,590 distinct power outage events, averaging 3.4 hours per event.
The single worst outage on record in Rutherford County started October 29, 2020, lasting 108 hours and leaving up to 20,725 customers without power (52% of the county) at its peak.
October has historically been the worst month for outages in Rutherford County, with 184 events recorded during that month across the dataset.
Based on this history, Rutherford County earns a Reliability Grade of D, placing it in the 24th percentile nationally for grid reliability (higher percentile = more reliable).
Sized for Rutherford 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 Rutherford County.
| County | Grade | National percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Cherokee County | D | 25th |
| Currituck County | D | 24th |
| Henderson County | D | 23rd |
| Sampson County | D | 26th |
| Washington County | D | 23rd |
FAQ
How often does power go out in Rutherford County?
Between 2014 and 2025, Rutherford County recorded 1,590 outage events, averaging 3.4 hours each.
What is Rutherford County's reliability grade?
Rutherford County has a Reliability Grade of D, in the 24th national percentile.
What was the worst power outage in Rutherford County?
The worst outage on record started October 29, 2020, lasting 108 hours and affecting up to 20,725 customers.