Michigan’s Startling Rank Nationally For Summer Power Outages

How many flashlights are strategically placed throughout your home in the event of the inevitable Michigan summer power outage? Thunderstorms, tornados, and even a stray car meeting a utility pole can cause hundreds, thousands, even hundreds of thousands of Michiganders considerable inconvenience when the electricity ceases to be delivered. But how does the Mitten State stack up against the rest of the US in terms of frequency and length of outages?

Related: Consumers Energy Summer Rates: Michigan's Peak Hour Pricing

The energy gurus at Texas Electricity Ratings analyzed data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration's (EIA) Electric Disturbance Events Annual Summary to determine which states are most likely to see the lights shut off and the fans whirl to a disappointing stop.

Why Michigan Has More Power Outages Than Any Other State

The Texas Electricity Rating study revealed that Michigan has more power outages between May and August than any other state in the country. Neighboring states like Indiana and Ohio, which experience many of the same weather-related outages as the Mitten, see far fewer power losses. What's more, the average length of power outages in both states is far less than that of Michigan.

The study looked at the summer of 2023 when the average outage in Michigan lasted around ten hours and nine minutes. The bulk of the outages from that year were storm-related and concentrated mainly in Macomb and Eaton Counties, affecting nearly one million customers.

Revealing Michigan's Rank for Power Outages Compared to the Rest of the USA

While energy giants like DTE and Consumers Energy have a workforce that immediately tackles the problem, many blame Michigan's aging energy infrastructure and lack of maintenance for the excessive length and frequency of outages.

Related: Michigan City Named 'Smartest In America': Full 100 City Listing

As we count down to the Worst State for Summer Power Outages, let's examine the results of the Texas Electricity Rating study and how other states compare to Michigan's.