Portsmouth County Power Outage History
2015–2025 · Virginia
Average — typical outage frequency and duration nationally. How grades are calculated
Outages by year
Outages by month (seasonality)
Worst outage events on record
| Date | Duration | Customers affected | Cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2, 2019 | 3 hrs | 21,038 (46%) | Unnamed event |
| Aug 4, 2020 | 61 hrs | 14,872 (33%) | Tropical Storm Isaias |
| Sep 22, 2015 | 3 hrs | 13,261 (29%) | Unnamed event |
| Apr 13, 2020 | 34 hrs | 11,769 (26%) | High Wind |
| Jul 30, 2019 | 1 hrs | 11,536 (25%) | Heavy Rain |
Over the 11 years from 2015 to 2025, Portsmouth County recorded 482 distinct power outage events, averaging 2.8 hours per event.
The single worst outage on record in Portsmouth County started May 2, 2019, lasting 3 hours and leaving up to 21,038 customers without power (46% of the county) at its peak.
June has historically been the worst month for outages in Portsmouth County, with 64 events recorded during that month across the dataset.
Based on this history, Portsmouth County earns a Reliability Grade of C, placing it in the 48th percentile nationally for grid reliability (higher percentile = more reliable).
Sized for Portsmouth 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.
Similar counties in Virginia
Counties with the closest reliability grade and national percentile to Portsmouth County.
| County | Grade | National percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Hampton County | C | 47th |
| Chesapeake County | C | 48th |
| Augusta County | C | 47th |
| Orange County | C | 46th |
| Newport News County | C | 46th |
FAQ
How often does power go out in Portsmouth County?
Between 2015 and 2025, Portsmouth County recorded 482 outage events, averaging 2.8 hours each.
What is Portsmouth County's reliability grade?
Portsmouth County has a Reliability Grade of C, in the 48th national percentile.
What was the worst power outage in Portsmouth County?
The worst outage on record started May 2, 2019, lasting 3 hours and affecting up to 21,038 customers.