Dorchester County Power Outage History
2014–2025 · South Carolina
Better than average — fewer or shorter 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 8, 2016 | 118 hrs | 50,197 (28%) | Tropical Storm |
| Oct 8, 2016 | 17 hrs | 45,215 (25%) | Tropical Storm |
| Sep 5, 2019 | 61 hrs | 41,166 (23%) | Tropical Depression |
| Sep 30, 2022 | 37 hrs | 25,331 (14%) | Hurricane Ian |
| Nov 4, 2023 | 1 hrs | 24,222 (14%) | Unnamed event |
Over the 12 years from 2014 to 2025, Dorchester County recorded 937 distinct power outage events, averaging 2.0 hours per event.
The single worst outage on record in Dorchester County started October 8, 2016 (Tropical Storm), lasting 118 hours and leaving up to 50,197 customers without power (28% of the county) at its peak.
August has historically been the worst month for outages in Dorchester County, with 122 events recorded during that month across the dataset.
Based on this history, Dorchester County earns a Reliability Grade of B, placing it in the 74th percentile nationally for grid reliability (higher percentile = more reliable).
Sized for Dorchester County's outage profile
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Outage-prep kit
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Similar counties in South Carolina
Counties with the closest reliability grade and national percentile to Dorchester County.
| County | Grade | National percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Georgetown County | B | 72nd |
| Horry County | B | 76th |
| Richland County | B | 76th |
| Charleston County | B | 69th |
| Beaufort County | B | 69th |
FAQ
How often does power go out in Dorchester County?
Between 2014 and 2025, Dorchester County recorded 937 outage events, averaging 2.0 hours each.
What is Dorchester County's reliability grade?
Dorchester County has a Reliability Grade of B, in the 74th national percentile.
What was the worst power outage in Dorchester County?
The worst outage on record started October 8, 2016 (Tropical Storm), lasting 118 hours and affecting up to 50,197 customers.