Hurricane power outages: how long, and what keeps you going

How long it lasts

Most people get power back within days; some wait weeks.

2024 was the worst year for outages in a decade. The average US customer lost 11 hours of power, and Beryl, Helene and Milton caused 80% of it. Beryl cut 2.6 million Texas customers, Helene 5.9 million across ten states, Milton 3.4 million in Florida (EIA).
After Helene, Duke Energy had 90% of Carolinas customers back by October 5. About 141,000 were still out in the North Carolina mountains, the hardest-hit area (Duke Energy). Thousands were still dark more than two weeks after the storm (NPR).
The worst case is Puerto Rico after Maria: months (more here).

So the run above uses a week as the usual case and three weeks as the worst. It runs in September, the peak of a season that lasts from June through November (NOAA), with two cloudy storm days first.

The danger is the heat after

When Beryl knocked out power to 2.2 million customers around Houston in July 2024, 36 deaths across five counties were linked to the storm. The main cause was overheating in the days afterward, at home without air conditioning, and three in four were 60 or older (Texas Standard).

So in hurricane country, power for cooling belongs on the essentials list next to the fridge: at least fans, and air conditioning for anyone older or with health problems. Add AC to your setup's big loads and the run above includes it.

What keeps you going

Batteries with solar, off the grid tie. In September the sun is strong, so batteries refill fast once the clouds move on. Grid-tied solar without a battery shuts off with the grid (why).
A generator only outside, at least 20 feet from windows, doors and the garage. Generators cause carbon monoxide deaths after storms every year (CPSC, Ready.gov).
Water and food for two weeks (where to start), and a cooler and ice plan: a closed fridge keeps food safe for about four hours (more).

Common questions

How long does power stay out after a hurricane?

For most people, days. In 2024 the average US customer lost 11 hours of power, 80% of it from Beryl, Helene and Milton. The hard-hit places wait much longer: after Helene, about 141,000 homes in the North Carolina mountains were still dark when 90% of the Carolinas had power back.

What's the biggest danger after a hurricane?

Often heat. After Beryl knocked out power to 2.2 million Houston-area customers in July 2024, 36 deaths were linked to the storm, mostly from overheating in the days afterward, and three in four were 60 or older.

Does solar work after a hurricane?

Yes, if the panels and mounts survive and the system can run without the grid. In September the sun is still strong, so a battery recharges quickly once the clouds clear. Grid-tied solar without a battery shuts off with the grid.