Washington County Power Outage History
2015–2025 · 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 6, 2019 | 67 hrs | 5,654 (68%) | Hurricane Dorian |
| Aug 4, 2020 | 55 hrs | 4,383 (53%) | Hurricane Isaias |
| Oct 8, 2016 | 91 hrs | 4,065 (49%) | Hurricane Matthew |
| Nov 19, 2015 | 7 hrs | 3,912 (47%) | Unnamed event |
| Sep 3, 2016 | 31 hrs | 3,589 (43%) | Unnamed event |
Over the 11 years from 2015 to 2025, Washington County recorded 589 distinct power outage events, averaging 2.9 hours per event.
The single worst outage on record in Washington County started September 6, 2019 (Hurricane Dorian), lasting 67 hours and leaving up to 5,654 customers without power (68% of the county) at its peak.
July has historically been the worst month for outages in Washington County, with 86 events recorded during that month across the dataset.
Based on this history, Washington County earns a Reliability Grade of D, placing it in the 23rd percentile nationally for grid reliability (higher percentile = more reliable).
Sized for Washington 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.

Rechargeable LED Camping Lantern 4000LM with Remote – Tent Light, Warm/Neutral/Cool 3 Modes & Stepless Dimming, IPX5 Waterproof, Magnetic Hook, Portable for Camping & Glamping
Similar counties in North Carolina
Counties with the closest reliability grade and national percentile to Washington County.
| County | Grade | National percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Cleveland County | D | 22nd |
| Stokes County | D | 22nd |
| Henderson County | D | 23rd |
| Vance County | D | 21st |
| Anson County | D | 21st |
FAQ
How often does power go out in Washington County?
Between 2015 and 2025, Washington County recorded 589 outage events, averaging 2.9 hours each.
What is Washington County's reliability grade?
Washington County has a Reliability Grade of D, in the 23rd national percentile.
What was the worst power outage in Washington County?
The worst outage on record started September 6, 2019 (Hurricane Dorian), lasting 67 hours and affecting up to 5,654 customers.

