Overview

• A Columbia University-led study analyzed data from 2018–2020, revealing that 75% of U.S. counties experienced major power outages during severe weather events.
• Over 50% of counties faced outages during multiple simultaneous weather events, such as wildfires paired with heatwaves or heavy precipitation with cyclones.
• Precipitation-related outages were most common in the Northeast, while heat-related outages were more frequent in the Southeast; the West Coast saw a rise in outages linked to wildfires.
• Severe weather-driven outages disrupt critical systems, including medical equipment and climate control, posing significant economic and health risks.
• Researchers call for further data collection and simulations to improve hazard response strategies as climate change intensifies extreme weather patterns.