Top Causes of Power Outages You Should Know

Power outages can happen for many reasons. Bad weather is one cause. Trees can fall and break power lines. Equipment can stop working. Animals like squirrels can also cause trouble. The chart below shows trees and equipment failures are the top causes of power outages in the United States.

It is important to know why outages happen. This helps you keep your home and business safe. You can keep your food fresh and your water clean. Your family will stay comfortable. If you know the causes, you can get ready and lower risks to your health and property.

Key Takeaways

• Bad weather like storms and lightning can cause power outages. You should check weather alerts often. Get ready before the weather gets bad.

• Trees, broken equipment, human errors, and animals like squirrels can also stop your electricity. These things happen a lot.

• There are different kinds of outages. Blackouts, brownouts, and rolling blackouts each affect your home in their own way. Knowing about them helps you stay safe.

• Make an emergency kit with water, food, flashlights, and medicine. This keeps your family safe if the power goes out.

• Backup power and a safety plan help protect your home and devices. They make power outages easier to deal with.

Common Causes of Power Outages

When you know the common causes of power outages, you can get ready and stay safe. Many things can stop your electricity. Some reasons happen more often and cause bigger problems.

Severe Weather

Severe weather is the main reason for power outages in the United States. Storms, strong winds, and lightning can knock down power lines and poles. Heavy rain, snow, and ice can make wires heavy and break them. Bad weather can bring more than one problem at once. For example, a thunderstorm can have both lightning and strong winds. This makes damage more likely.

Did you know?
About 80% of all big power outages in the U.S. are from weather events. Almost 75% of counties have had outages during bad weather.

The table below shows how different weather types cause outages:

Lightning can cause outages right away by hitting power lines or transformers. Bad weather like hurricanes and blizzards can leave many people without power for days. You should always watch for weather alerts and get ready for outages when storms are coming.

Equipment Failure

Power equipment failure is another big reason for power outages. Transformers, switches, and wires can break as they get older. Old or not well-kept equipment is more likely to stop working, especially during bad weather. When equipment breaks, it can cause more things to stop working, leading to bigger outages. Sometimes, lightning or storms make this happen faster by causing more stress or direct damage.

You might notice equipment failure if your lights flicker or go out suddenly, even when the weather is fine. Doing regular checks and upgrades helps lower these risks, but equipment will always wear out over time.

Human Error

Human error also causes many power outages. People can make mistakes when fixing or working on equipment. Sometimes, workers use equipment the wrong way or do not talk to each other well. Construction crews can dig into underground cables by accident and cause damage.

Here are some common types of human error that cause outages:

• Mistakes during maintenance

• Using equipment the wrong way

• Poor communication between teams

• Accidental damage from building or car crashes

• Planned outages for upgrades or repairs

Mistakes by people cause about 25% of big electricity interruptions around the world. Planned outages, which are set by people, can be almost 10% of downtime in some places. Training and better talking between workers help stop these mistakes.

Animal Interference

Animals are a surprising but common reason for power outages. Squirrels, birds, raccoons, and snakes can all mess with power lines and equipment. They might chew wires, build nests, or touch the wrong part of a transformer.

The table below shows how often different animals cause outages:

Squirrels cause the most outages from animals. Each year, about 13 million Americans lose power because of wildlife. Animal problems cost utility companies a lot of money and can happen anytime, but they happen most in spring and fall.

Trees and Vegetation

Trees and vegetation are the top reason for power outages. During storms, branches or whole trees can fall on power lines and cause outages. Even when there are no storms, trees that grow too close to lines can touch them and be dangerous.

Tip:
Utility companies have special teams to trim trees and clear plants near power lines. This work, called Utility Vegetation Management, helps stop outages and wildfires.

Studies show that trimming trees often can lower outage rates by up to 180% on treated lines. When companies wait too long or spend less on tree work, outages go up. The 2003 Northeast blackout, which hit 55 million people, happened because trees touched high-voltage lines. Good tree trimming could have stopped it.

Now, utilities use new tools like remote sensing and artificial intelligence to find risky trees before they cause trouble. These tools help keep the power on and keep people safe.

Trees and vegetation cause almost 25% of all outages. Regular trimming and new technology help lower these risks.

Knowing the common causes of power outages—severe weather, equipment failure, human error, animal interference, and trees—helps you see why outages happen and how to get ready.

Storms and Natural Disasters

Storms

Storms happen every year and often cause power outages. Strong winds can break power lines. Heavy rain can knock down poles. Lightning can hit transformers and cause problems. Sometimes, storms bring many problems at once. Wind can push tree branches onto wires. Floods can wash away equipment. In the last 20 years, severe weather has caused more power outages. There are now over 100 big outages each year. In the early 2000s, there were about 50. This increase is because storms are stronger and equipment is older.

Note:
Big storms like nor'easters and windstorms can leave millions without electricity for days.

Here are some recent storms that caused many power outages:

• Hurricane Milton (2024): Hit Florida, brought tornadoes, and caused many outages.

• Hurricane Beryl (2024): Hit Texas, left millions without power for days, and caused over 50 tornadoes.

Hurricanes and Blizzards

Hurricanes and blizzards can cause long and dangerous power outages. Hurricanes hit places like Louisiana and Texas every year. High winds and floods from hurricanes break lines and transformers. Blizzards cover wires with ice and make them heavy. The ice can snap the lines. In the country, you might wait days or weeks for repairs. In cities, power comes back faster, but big storms can slow repairs for everyone.

• Hurricanes can leave you without power for days or weeks.

• Blizzards make ice build up, which brings down lines and causes long outages.

• The kind of damage matters. Downed lines may get fixed in hours, but broken substations take longer.

Tip:
Underground cables can help stop power outages from hurricanes and blizzards.

Earthquakes and Wildfires

Earthquakes and wildfires do not happen as often, but they can cause big power outages. Earthquakes shake the ground and break poles and wires. Wildfires burn through lines and equipment. Both disasters can destroy large parts of the power grid. You might lose power for days while workers fix things. Sometimes, companies turn off power on purpose to stop fires from spreading.

Natural disasters like these show why it is important to get ready. You can keep your home and family safe by knowing what to expect and having a plan.

Other Causes of Outages

Grid Overload

Power outages can happen when many people use electricity at once. On hot days, air conditioners use a lot of power. The grid has trouble keeping up. When too much power is needed, the system can shut down. It moves power to other lines. This can cause more failures. If storms stop solar panels or wind turbines from making energy, the grid gets weaker. Blackouts can start fast. Demand response programs ask you to use less power during busy times. These programs help keep the grid working and stop outages.

Planned Maintenance

Sometimes, utility companies turn off power on purpose. They do this to fix or upgrade the system. You get a message before planned maintenance. Companies tell you by email, text, social media, or their website. They explain when and why the power will be off. If repairs take longer, you get updates. After the outage, companies thank you and ask you to sign up for alerts.

• Reasons for planned outages:

• System upgrades

• Equipment modernization

• Reliability improvements

Good communication helps you feel important and less upset.

Vehicle Accidents

Cars, trucks, or motorcycles can hit utility poles. This breaks power lines and causes outages. Bad weather, distracted drivers, or drunk driving make crashes more likely. Trucks can pull down wires if they are too tall. These outages usually only affect a small area. Crews fix the power fast most of the time.

Unusual Causes

Some outages happen for odd reasons. Vandalism can break equipment and cost a lot of money. Squirrels chew wires and make nests in gear. Digging in your yard can cut underground cables. Solar storms from space can overheat transformers. Cyber attacks on the grid do not happen often but are becoming more common. You can help by reporting anything strange and being careful when you dig.

• Vandalism

• Animal interference

• Excavation digging

• Space weather

• Cyber attacks

Stay watchful and help keep your community safe from strange outage risks.

Types of Power Outages

You can have different kinds of power outages. Each kind changes your day in its own way. If you know about these types, you can get ready. You can keep your electronics and appliances safe.

Blackouts

A blackout means all electricity stops in your area. It can happen suddenly and last a short or long time. Blackouts are the worst kind of outage. They are caused by weather, equipment problems, or accidents. During a blackout, you cannot use lights or appliances. Streets get dark, and traffic lights stop working. Blackouts can make life hard and may be unsafe if they last long. Blackouts are not planned and affect big areas.

Tip:
Keep flashlights and batteries close for blackouts. Charge your phone before storms.

Brownouts

A brownout is not the same as a blackout. You still have electricity, but the voltage goes down. Utility companies use brownouts to stop blackouts when the grid is busy. Lights may look dim, and some devices may not work well. Brownouts do not last long. Sensitive electronics can break during brownouts, so unplug them if you see flickering lights or weak power.

Here is what brownouts can do to your home:

Brownouts can hurt your appliances in ways you cannot see. If brownouts happen a lot, your devices may not last as long.

Rolling Blackouts

Rolling blackouts are planned and do not last long. Utility companies use them to keep the grid balanced in emergencies. You might get a warning before a rolling blackout. These outages last one or two hours in each area, then move to another place. Rolling blackouts help stop bigger outages.

• Rolling blackouts move from one neighborhood to another.

• They happen when it is very hot or cold and people use more electricity.

• Hospitals and emergency services usually keep their power.

You can get ready for rolling blackouts by charging your devices. Plan things that do not need electricity. Knowing about these types of power outages helps you stay safe and protect your home.

How to Prepare for a Power Outage

Build a Power Outage Supply Kit

You should have a supply kit before an outage. Start with water. Each person needs one gallon per day for three days. Pack foods that do not spoil, like canned food and granola bars. Peanut butter is a good choice too. Add a flashlight and extra batteries. Bring a hand-crank or solar radio. Put in a first aid kit with bandages and gloves. Add pain medicine. Remember your prescription medicines and copies of important papers. If you have pets, pack their food and water. People with special needs need extra things. You might need a strong flashlight, masks, or Braille labels. Keep a kit by your bed with your phone, water, and a flashlight for nighttime.

Tip:
Bring books, games, and puzzles to help pass the time.

Invest in Emergency Equipment

You need the right tools for any outage. Get a battery or hand-crank radio for news. Have flashlights and extra batteries ready. Buy a manual can opener. Keep blankets and warm clothes close. Portable chargers keep your phone working. Store hand sanitizer and moist wipes. If you have kids or pets, pack their care items. Coolers and ice packs help keep food safe if the power is out for a long time.

Create a Safety Plan

Teach your family what to do if the power goes out. Pick a safe place in your home. Practice using your emergency kit together. Never use generators inside your house. Keep them dry and only plug in what you need. Save your phone battery. Use walkie-talkies if you have them. Keep your car's gas tank at least half full. Plan fun things like books and games. Install smoke and carbon monoxide alarms with battery backup. Unplug appliances to stop surges. Keep fridge and freezer doors closed to protect food.

Keep up With Power Outage Alerts

Sign up for alerts from your utility company. You can text a code or sign up online. Pick how you want to get alerts—text, email, or phone call. Add your contact info and pick your language. Some companies let you pause or stop alerts. Save the alert number in your phone so you do not miss warnings.

Know Your Equipment

Check your home's safety gear often. Make sure alarms and security systems have backup batteries. Test your emergency lights. Use surge protectors for electronics. Keep flashlights, radios, and first aid kits where you can find them fast. If you have a sump pump, plan for backup power. Dress in layers during winter outages and stay in one room to keep warm. In summer, keep the fridge closed and turn off air conditioners.

Have Backup Power

Backup power keeps your home safe and comfortable. Standby generators turn on by themselves and power your whole house. Battery backup systems are quiet and can use solar panels. Portable generators help with short outages but need fuel and safe setup. Uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) protect computers and other electronics. Test your backup systems every month to make sure they work.

Conclusion

Power outages can be dangerous for you and your family. The biggest reasons are bad weather, trees falling, animals, broken equipment, and accidents. If you know about these risks, you can get ready and keep your home safe.

• Get alerts from your city or town.

• Always have emergency supplies in your house.

• Use backup power the right way.

• Listen to news from your utility company and community.

Take action early. This helps you avoid problems and keeps your family safe.

FAQ

What should you do first when the power goes out?

Stay calm. Check if your neighbors lost power too. Look for alerts from your utility company. Use a flashlight instead of candles. Unplug electronics to protect them from surges.

How long do most power outages last?

Most outages last a few hours. Some can last longer if storms or accidents cause major damage. Utility crews work fast to restore power. You can check updates online or by phone.

Can you use your generator indoors?

Never use a generator inside your home or garage. It makes dangerous carbon monoxide gas. Always run it outside, far from windows and doors.

What foods stay safe during a power outage?

Keep your fridge and freezer closed. Most foods stay safe for up to 4 hours in the fridge and 48 hours in a full freezer.

How can you get outage alerts?

Sign up for alerts from your utility company. You can get messages by text, email, or phone call. These alerts tell you when outages start and when power comes back.