Power outages can strike without warning. Whether it’s a brief flicker or a prolonged blackout lasting days (or worse, months), being unprepared can turn a minor inconvenience into a major crisis.
What’s worse, the duration of an outage depends on its cause, from downed power lines and severe storms to grid failures and natural disasters. While some outages are resolved in hours, others, like those seen during hurricanes or wildfires, can stretch for weeks. That’s why more homeowners are turning to electricity backup for homes, particularly solar generators, to stay resilient.
In this guide, we’ll explore how long power outages typically last, common causes, and essential preparedness steps. Let’s dive in.
TBH, Power Outages Are Getting Common
Power outages aren’t just minor inconveniences. In extreme cases, they can last for days, weeks, or even months, leaving families and businesses scrambling for solutions. Recent events across the U.S. highlight just how vulnerable the grid can be, and why having a backup power for home solution is no longer optional for many.
Houston Power Outage in 2025
Severe storms swept through the Houston area early Tuesday, May 27, 2025, resulting in widespread power outages. At the peak of the outage on Tuesday morning, more than 180,000 customers were without electricity.
- CenterPoint Energy reported 143,777 customers without power as of 2:10 a.m.
- Entergy reported 29,603 customers without power at the same time.
The outages were caused by strong thunderstorms, and utility companies were actively working to restore service. Residents were advised to avoid downed power lines and to report outages directly to their utility providers.
The weather forecast indicated continued unsettled conditions through the week, with additional thunderstorms expected, potentially leading to further outages or delays in restoration.
Hurricane Beryl (2024) – Texas: 1 M+ Without Power for Days
In July 2024, Hurricane Beryl slammed into the Texas coast, knocking out electricity for over a million residents. High winds and flooding damaged critical infrastructure, and some areas faced prolonged outages lasting over a week.
What prolonged the disaster was the soaring temperature. Homes without backup power struggled to keep food fresh, medical devices running, and cooling systems operational.
California PSPS Events (2023–24) – 30,000+ Homes in the Dark for 48+ Hours
To prevent wildfires, California utilities have increasingly relied on Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS), intentionally cutting electricity during high-risk conditions. In 2023 and 2024, these preemptive blackouts left over 30,000 households without power for at least two days, disrupting work, school, and daily life.
How Long Do Power Outages Last? A State-by-State Breakdown
Power outages across the U.S. vary dramatically in duration. While the national average outage lasts about 6 hours, some states regularly endure blackouts 10 times longer. Where you live plays a huge role in how long you might be left without power. Let’s examine the data.
The South: America’s Outage Hotspot
The Southern U.S. experiences more power disruptions than any other region, averaging 1.97 outages per year—the highest frequency nationwide.
Louisiana stands out as particularly vulnerable, with residents enduring an astonishing 24 hours and 54 minutes without power annually, four times longer than the national average. This troubling statistic stems from a combination of extreme weather events like hurricanes, an aging power infrastructure, and the region’s vulnerability to flooding.
States like Texas and Florida also face significant risks, with hurricane season regularly knocking out power for days at a time across coastal communities. The South’s outage challenges highlight why so many homeowners in the region are turning to solar generators as a reliable backup solution.
The Northeast: Frequent but Shorter Blackouts
Northeastern states experience about 1.64 outages per year, with Maine being particularly noteworthy for both frequency and duration.
The Pine Tree State leads the region with more than three outages annually, some lasting up to 16 hours. These disruptions primarily occur during harsh winter storms when heavy snow and ice weigh down power lines, or during nor’easters that bring destructive winds.
While Northeast outages tend to be shorter than Southern ones, the region’s cold winters make even brief power losses dangerous, especially for vulnerable populations relying on electric heat. This has driven increased interest in home battery systems and solar generators that can maintain essential heating during winter outages.
The West: Wildfire Shutoffs Drive Disruptions
Western states average 1.50 outages annually, with California’s Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) significantly impacting these numbers. Utilities proactively cut electricity during high fire risk conditions, sometimes leaving 30,000+ homes without power for 48 hours or more. While these preventative measures reduce wildfire risks, they create predictable, prolonged outages that disrupt lives and businesses.
Other Western states face different challenges—Oregon and Washington contend with ice storms, while Arizona’s monsoon season brings damaging microbursts. The region’s diverse climate threats, combined with its leadership in renewable energy adoption, make it prime territory for solar-powered backup systems.
The Midwest: Most Reliable, But Derechos Change Everything
With just 1.31 outages per year, the Midwest enjoys the most reliable power in the nation—until severe weather strikes. The region’s vulnerability to derechos (widespread wind storms) was tragically demonstrated in 2023 when a single event left 500,000+ people without power, some for over a week.
These straight-line windstorms can damage infrastructure across entire states within hours. While Midwest outages are typically brief, the increasing frequency of extreme weather events means even this historically stable region can’t take grid reliability for granted anymore.
States With the Shortest Outages
Some areas enjoy remarkably reliable power. Washington, D.C. leads the nation with outages averaging just 1 hour annually, followed by Delaware (1 hour 42 minutes) and Utah (1 hour 54 minutes).
These jurisdictions benefit from robust infrastructure, fewer extreme weather events, and, in D.C.’s case, the political importance of keeping the capital powered. However, even these areas aren’t immune to occasional, prolonged outages during rare, severe events.
Outage Duration Categories: What to Expect
Short-Term (Minutes to Hours)
Most Americans experience brief outages caused by routine grid fluctuations or minor equipment failures. These typically last less than two hours and are most common in urban areas with modern infrastructure.
While inconvenient, potentially disrupting work or spoiling perishable food, they rarely create emergencies. However, for those with medical equipment or working from home, even these short disruptions make a case for compact backup power solutions.
Medium-Term (Hours to Days)
When severe weather hits or equipment fails catastrophically, outages can stretch from 12 hours to 3 days. Coastal regions face this regularly during hurricane season, while wildfire-prone areas experience it during PSPS events.
Rural communities often wait the longest for repairs as crews prioritize urban centers. These medium-term outages test household preparedness, as food spoilage, lack of climate control, and dead communication devices become serious concerns.
Long-Term (Weeks to Months)
Catastrophic events can collapse grid infrastructure entirely. After Hurricane Maria, parts of Puerto Rico waited 11 months for restoration. Similar devastation followed Katrina and the 2021 Texas winter storm.
These nightmare scenarios demonstrate why traditional gas generators often fail—fuel becomes unavailable.
Power Outage Preparedness Checklist
Short-Term Outage Preparedness (Minutes to Hours)
- Flashlights and extra batteries (avoid candles due to fire risk)
- Battery-powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio preferred)
- Fully charged mobile phones and portable chargers/power banks
- Non-perishable snacks and bottled water (at least 1 gallon per person per day)
- First aid kit and essential medications (at least a 7-day supply)
- Manual can opener
- Cash (small bills), as ATMs and card readers may not work
- Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed to preserve food
- Unplug sensitive electronics to avoid surges when power returns
- Know how to manually operate garage doors
- List of emergency contacts and utility numbers
- Entertainment: books, games, puzzles
Long-Term Outage Preparedness (Days to Weeks or More)
- Emergency water supply: At least a 2-week supply for home use (1 gallon/person/day)
- Non-perishable food: 2-week supply for home use, 3-day supply for evacuation
- Cooler(s) and ice for food preservation
- Digital quick-response thermometer to check food safety
- Backup power: Generator, solar generator, or portable power station (with fuel or solar panels as needed)
- Extra fuel for generator (store safely and only use outdoors)
- Alternate cooking method (camp stove, grill—use outdoors only)
- Sleeping bags, blankets, and warm clothing for winter outages
- Personal hygiene and sanitation supplies (toilet paper, trash bags, moist towelettes
- Plan for refrigerating medicines or powering medical devices
- Pet food and supplies (at least 72-hour supply)
- Manual tools and multipurpose tools
- Copies of important documents, stored securely
- Plan for water use if on a well (fill bathtubs, have bottled water)
- Identify local shelters or community centers with backup power
- Evacuation plan, including transportation and destination if your home becomes uninhabitable
- Fire extinguisher and smoke/carbon monoxide detectors (battery-powered)
- Communication plan with family and neighbors
Tips for Both Situations:
- Keep freezers and refrigerators closed as much as possible to retain cold.
- Use only battery-powered lighting indoors (never use grills or stoves inside).
- Stay informed via radio or official updates.
- Check on neighbors, especially elderly or vulnerable individuals.
Which Jackery Solar Generator is Right for Your Power Outage Needs?
When the grid fails, having the right backup power solution can mean the difference between comfort and crisis. Jackery offers two exceptional solar generators—the Explorer 5000 Plus and Solar Generator 2000 v2—each designed for different outage scenarios. Here’s how to choose the best one for your needs.
For Whole-Home Backup & Long-Term Outages: Jackery Explorer 5000 Plus
If you live in hurricane-prone areas (like Louisiana or Florida) or regions vulnerable to multi-day outages (California PSPS events, Texas winter storms), the Explorer 5000 Plus is the ultimate backup solution. It features:
- Massive Expandable Capacity (5kWh–60kWh) – Powers fridges, medical devices, and even central AC units for days or weeks.
- Seamless UPS (0ms Switchover) – Keeps sensitive electronics (computers, routers) running without interruption.
- Dual Voltage (120V/240V) – Supports heavy appliances like dryers, water pumps, and HVAC systems.
- Smart Transfer Switch – Automatically switches to backup power when the grid fails.
- Blazing-Fast Solar Recharge (1.7 hours with 4000W solar input) – No fuel dependency; runs indefinitely with sunlight.
- Military-Grade Safety – Fireproof, ultra-durable LiFePO4 battery (10+ year lifespan).
Best For:
- Homeowners in high-risk outage zones (Gulf Coast, wildfire areas)
- Families needing whole-home backup (medical devices, HVAC, appliances)
- Preppers preparing for weeks-long disasters
For Essential Power & Portability: Jackery Solar Generator 2000 v2
If you face occasional outages (1–3 days) or need a portable, easy-to-use backup for essentials, the 2000 v2 is a perfect fit. The portable power outlet features:
- Compact Yet Powerful (2kWh capacity, 2200W output) – Runs fridges, lights, phones, and small appliances for 12–48 hours.
- Ultra-Fast Charging (1.33 hours with AC + solar) – Quick turnaround between uses.
- Near-Silent (30dB) – Safe for apartments, RVs, and indoor use.
- UPS Backup (≤20ms switch) – Protects electronics from sudden shutdowns.
- Lightweight (38.6 lbs) – Easy to move for home or outdoor use.
- Long-Lasting LiFePO4 Battery (4000+ cycles) – Reliable for years.
Best For:
- Urban dwellers facing short-term outages (Northeast storms, minor grid failures)
- RV owners, campers, or renters needing portable backup
- Budget-conscious buyers who want essential power without complexity
- The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration warns of:
- Hurricanes, Derechos, and winter storms that could trigger outages
- Real-time severe weather tracking
Best for: Preparing before storms hit.
Don’t Wait for the Next Blackout
Whether you need whole-home backup (Jackery Explorer 5000 Plus) or portable essentials power (Jackery Solar Generator 2000 v2), Jackery solar solutions keep you running when the grid fails.
Be ready before the lights go out. [Explore Jackery solar generators today] and take control of your energy resilience.
