Lancaster County Power Outage History
2015–2025 · 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 12, 2018 | 86 hrs | 6,657 (55%) | Heavy Rain |
| Aug 4, 2020 | 73 hrs | 4,006 (33%) | Tropical Storm Isaias |
| Feb 13, 2021 | 53 hrs | 3,021 (25%) | Winter Weather |
| Mar 2, 2018 | 85 hrs | 2,958 (24%) | High Wind |
| Aug 3, 2024 | 14 hrs | 2,908 (24%) | Thunderstorm Wind |
Over the 11 years from 2015 to 2025, Lancaster County recorded 695 distinct power outage events, averaging 3.6 hours per event.
The single worst outage on record in Lancaster County started October 12, 2018 (Heavy Rain), lasting 86 hours and leaving up to 6,657 customers without power (55% of the county) at its peak.
July has historically been the worst month for outages in Lancaster County, with 115 events recorded during that month across the dataset.
Based on this history, Lancaster County earns a Reliability Grade of D, placing it in the 27th percentile nationally for grid reliability (higher percentile = more reliable).
Sized for Lancaster County's outage profile
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Similar counties in Virginia
Counties with the closest reliability grade and national percentile to Lancaster County.
| County | Grade | National percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Rockbridge County | D | 27th |
| Stafford County | D | 27th |
| Montgomery County | D | 27th |
| Wise County | D | 28th |
| Southampton County | D | 26th |
FAQ
How often does power go out in Lancaster County?
Between 2015 and 2025, Lancaster County recorded 695 outage events, averaging 3.6 hours each.
What is Lancaster County's reliability grade?
Lancaster County has a Reliability Grade of D, in the 27th national percentile.
What was the worst power outage in Lancaster County?
The worst outage on record started October 12, 2018 (Heavy Rain), lasting 86 hours and affecting up to 6,657 customers.