US power outages leave more than 373,000 homes and businesses without electricity after severe storms
Severe storms triggered US power outages affecting 373,000+ homes and businesses, with Pennsylvania and Michigan hardest hit as utilities work to restore power.
The latest reports show that severe weather across multiple US states has knocked out electricity to more than 373,000 customers, according to tracking by poweroutage.us. Utility companies and emergency crews were mobilised to address downed lines and damaged infrastructure as communities faced prolonged interruptions. Officials said the outages concentrated in the Northeast and Midwest as crews staged for widespread recovery operations.
More than 373,000 customers affected nationwide
Poweroutage.us data compiled through Monday identified the total number of impacted homes and businesses at over 373,000, reflecting aggregated outage reports from dozens of utilities. The figure represents customers without service at the peak of the storm-driven disruption and is subject to change as restorations proceed. Local emergency management offices and utilities have been coordinating to prioritise vulnerable sites such as hospitals, critical infrastructure and residential areas with extended outages.
Pennsylvania and Michigan record the highest outages
Pennsylvania emerged as the state with the highest number of outages, recording more than 70,000 customers without power. Michigan followed closely with roughly 64,000 affected, concentrated around urban centres and adjacent counties. State and local officials in both states said severe thunderstorms, high winds and falling trees were the principal causes of damage to distribution networks and service transformers.
FirstEnergy and DTE Energy report largest utility impacts
Among utilities, FirstEnergy reported the greatest number of interruptions, with approximately 59,800 homes and businesses affected across its service territory. DTE Energy reported nearly 55,900 customers without power, making it the second-most impacted utility in the current event. Both companies confirmed that widespread wind and storm damage — including pole failures and fallen conductors — contributed to the scale of outages they were managing.
Restoration crews working around the clock
Utility operators have deployed storm-response and mutual-aid crews to clear debris, replace damaged poles and rebuild lines, with many teams working extended shifts. DTE Energy said its storm response personnel would continue restoration operations and projected that about 95 percent of affected customers would have power restored by the end of the day. FirstEnergy and other regional providers cautioned that full restoration timelines depend on additional assessments and any continuing adverse weather.
Operational challenges and logistical coordination
Utilities reported that access to damaged sites, hazardous conditions from downed wires and the need for specialised equipment were among the main challenges slowing progress. Crews must often wait for hazards to be made safe before conducting repairs, a process that prolongs outage durations in heavily affected neighbourhoods. Emergency response coordinators emphasised the importance of mutual aid agreements that allow utilities to bring in additional linemen and resources from neighbouring regions.
Community impact and public safety guidance
Extended outages have affected traffic signals, local businesses and residents reliant on electrically powered medical devices, prompting local authorities to open cooling and charging centres in some areas. Officials urged residents to treat all downed power lines as live and to report outages through official utility channels rather than social media to ensure accurate restoration tracking. Simple precautions — such as keeping refrigerators closed, using generators safely outdoors and preparing emergency kits — were recommended to reduce risks during prolonged service interruptions.
Wider economic and logistical ripple effects included temporary closures for certain retail and municipal services and disrupted morning and evening commutes where traffic signals remained dark. Utilities said they were prioritising restoration to critical infrastructure, including water treatment plants and healthcare facilities, while aiming to restore the greatest number of customers as quickly and safely as possible.
The evolving situation underscores the vulnerability of distribution systems to severe weather, and utilities reiterated commitments to assess damage and resume normal service levels as conditions allow. Residents seeking the latest outage maps and restoration updates were directed to their local utility websites and to the national outage tracker for consolidated figures.