Lancaster 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 27, 2024 | 64 hrs | 17,052 (19%) | Tropical Storm Helene |
| Jan 16, 2022 | 56 hrs | 14,374 (16%) | Ice Storm |
| Jul 14, 2021 | 2 hrs | 12,378 (13%) | Unnamed event |
| Sep 11, 2017 | 49 hrs | 11,923 (13%) | Unnamed event |
| Apr 19, 2019 | 42 hrs | 10,435 (11%) | Thunderstorm Wind |
Over the 12 years from 2014 to 2025, Lancaster County recorded 617 distinct power outage events, averaging 2.9 hours per event.
The single worst outage on record in Lancaster County started September 27, 2024 (Tropical Storm Helene), lasting 64 hours and leaving up to 17,052 customers without power (19% of the county) at its peak.
July has historically been the worst month for outages in Lancaster County, with 88 events recorded during that month across the dataset.
Based on this history, Lancaster County earns a Reliability Grade of B, placing it in the 68th percentile nationally for grid reliability (higher percentile = more reliable).
Sized for Lancaster County's outage profile
See more picks in our Best Small Power Stations (Under 1,000Wh) roundup.
Outage-prep kit
See our outage-prep guides.
Similar counties in South Carolina
Counties with the closest reliability grade and national percentile to Lancaster County.
| County | Grade | National percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Barnwell County | B | 68th |
| Beaufort County | B | 69th |
| Charleston County | B | 69th |
| Lexington County | B | 67th |
| Georgetown County | B | 72nd |
FAQ
How often does power go out in Lancaster County?
Between 2014 and 2025, Lancaster County recorded 617 outage events, averaging 2.9 hours each.
What is Lancaster County's reliability grade?
Lancaster County has a Reliability Grade of B, in the 68th national percentile.
What was the worst power outage in Lancaster County?
The worst outage on record started September 27, 2024 (Tropical Storm Helene), lasting 64 hours and affecting up to 17,052 customers.