Essex County Power Outage History
2014–2025 · Virginia
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 13, 2017 | 2 hrs | 6,819 (65%) | Unnamed event |
| Oct 12, 2018 | 78 hrs | 6,717 (64%) | Heavy Rain |
| May 1, 2024 | 3 hrs | 6,694 (64%) | Unnamed event |
| Jul 29, 2020 | 7 hrs | 6,633 (63%) | Thunderstorm Wind |
| Mar 22, 2017 | 1 hrs | 4,139 (40%) | Unnamed event |
Over the 12 years from 2014 to 2025, Essex County recorded 747 distinct power outage events, averaging 2.7 hours per event.
The single worst outage on record in Essex County started June 13, 2017, lasting 2 hours and leaving up to 6,819 customers without power (65% of the county) at its peak.
June has historically been the worst month for outages in Essex County, with 103 events recorded during that month across the dataset.
Based on this history, Essex County earns a Reliability Grade of D, placing it in the 39th percentile nationally for grid reliability (higher percentile = more reliable).
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Similar counties in Virginia
Counties with the closest reliability grade and national percentile to Essex County.
| County | Grade | National percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach County | D | 39th |
| Roanoke County | D | 40th |
| Poquoson County | D | 38th |
| James City County | C | 40th |
| Mecklenburg County | C | 40th |
FAQ
How often does power go out in Essex County?
Between 2014 and 2025, Essex County recorded 747 outage events, averaging 2.7 hours each.
What is Essex County's reliability grade?
Essex County has a Reliability Grade of D, in the 39th national percentile.
What was the worst power outage in Essex County?
The worst outage on record started June 13, 2017, lasting 2 hours and affecting up to 6,819 customers.