A new study published in PLOS Climate reveals that power outages are becoming increasingly frequent alongside extreme weather events in the U.S., highlighting regional differences in outage causes and the urgent need for preparedness.
Researchers analyzed county-level data from 2018 to 2020 and found that 73% of counties experienced at least one day where a severe weather event coincided with a power outage. In 54% of counties, two simultaneous weather hazards such as hurricanes and heavy rain occurred alongside outages, raising the risk of widespread disruption.
Hurricanes were the leading cause of outages, followed by snowstorms and heavy rain. However, the impact varied by region: heavy rain was a major factor in the Northeast and Gulf Coast, while extreme heat and power failures were concentrated in the Southeast. The study also found that combined weather events such as severe heat and rain or extreme cold and snow greatly increased the likelihood of blackouts.
Power failures during extreme weather heighten health risks, from spoiled food and failing medical equipment to heat exposure in summer and freezing conditions in winter. Utility companies could use this data to prioritize grid maintenance and allocate resources more effectively.
While the study sheds light on vulnerabilities in the power grid, experts note that additional factors, such as thunderstorms and lightning, were not included in the analysis. Future research may refine the findings to help communities better prepare for growing climate-driven challenges.