PowerOutageHistory
D

Virginia Beach County Power Outage History

20152025 · Virginia

Worse than average — more frequent or longer outages than most counties. How grades are calculated

Total events
2,234
Avg duration
2.0 hrs
Longest outage
112 hrs
National percentile
39th

Outages by year

Outages by month (seasonality)

Worst outage events on record

DateDurationCustomers affectedCause
Oct 9, 2016112 hrs77,449 (38%)Heavy Rain
Aug 4, 202071 hrs74,967 (37%)Tropical Storm Isaias
Oct 12, 201872 hrs55,532 (27%)High Wind
Apr 13, 202037 hrs44,808 (22%)High Wind
Sep 3, 201629 hrs33,509 (16%)Tropical Storm Hermine

Over the 11 years from 2015 to 2025, Virginia Beach County recorded 2,234 distinct power outage events, averaging 2.0 hours per event.

The single worst outage on record in Virginia Beach County started October 9, 2016 (Heavy Rain), lasting 112 hours and leaving up to 77,449 customers without power (38% of the county) at its peak.

July has historically been the worst month for outages in Virginia Beach County, with 267 events recorded during that month across the dataset.

Based on this history, Virginia Beach County earns a Reliability Grade of D, placing it in the 39th percentile nationally for grid reliability (higher percentile = more reliable).

Sized for Virginia Beach County's outage profile

See more picks in our Best Dual-Fuel Portable Generators for Power Outages roundup.

Outage-prep kit

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Similar counties in Virginia

Counties with the closest reliability grade and national percentile to Virginia Beach County.

CountyGradeNational percentile
Essex CountyD39th
Roanoke CountyD40th
James City CountyC40th
Mecklenburg CountyC40th
Poquoson CountyD38th

FAQ

How often does power go out in Virginia Beach County?

Between 2015 and 2025, Virginia Beach County recorded 2,234 outage events, averaging 2.0 hours each.

What is Virginia Beach County's reliability grade?

Virginia Beach County has a Reliability Grade of D, in the 39th national percentile.

What was the worst power outage in Virginia Beach County?

The worst outage on record started October 9, 2016 (Heavy Rain), lasting 112 hours and affecting up to 77,449 customers.

Data: ORNL EAGLE-I Recorded Electricity Outages (2014–2025), CC BY 4.0. Storm names: NOAA Storm Events Database. Last data refresh: 2025. See methodology.