Sampson 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 15, 2018 | 30 hrs | 28,150 (47%) | Hurricane Florence |
| Oct 8, 2016 | 123 hrs | 25,275 (42%) | Hurricane Matthew |
| Sep 13, 2018 | 23 hrs | 24,017 (40%) | Hurricane Florence |
| Sep 5, 2019 | 23 hrs | 14,896 (25%) | Hurricane Dorian |
| Sep 16, 2018 | 110 hrs | 14,222 (24%) | Hurricane Florence |
Over the 12 years from 2014 to 2025, Sampson County recorded 828 distinct power outage events, averaging 2.8 hours per event.
The single worst outage on record in Sampson County started September 15, 2018 (Hurricane Florence), lasting 30 hours and leaving up to 28,150 customers without power (47% of the county) at its peak.
July has historically been the worst month for outages in Sampson County, with 114 events recorded during that month across the dataset.
Based on this history, Sampson County earns a Reliability Grade of D, placing it in the 26th percentile nationally for grid reliability (higher percentile = more reliable).
Sized for Sampson 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 Sampson County.
| County | Grade | National percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Columbus County | D | 26th |
| Cherokee County | D | 25th |
| Rutherford County | D | 24th |
| Currituck County | D | 24th |
| Warren County | D | 28th |
FAQ
How often does power go out in Sampson County?
Between 2014 and 2025, Sampson County recorded 828 outage events, averaging 2.8 hours each.
What is Sampson County's reliability grade?
Sampson County has a Reliability Grade of D, in the 26th national percentile.
What was the worst power outage in Sampson County?
The worst outage on record started September 15, 2018 (Hurricane Florence), lasting 30 hours and affecting up to 28,150 customers.