Severe weather increases risk of power outages

We have new insight about the connection between our changing climate and power outages.

It's severe weather season, which means there's an increased chance of power outages across the state.

"It's something that's of course very important that we watch," said WRAL meteorologist Anthony Baglione. "We track power outages, and we watch as these storm systems come through."

When we look at the history of power outages in North Carolina, extreme weather plays a role.

The above graph tracks power outages from 2000 to 2023. More than half of those outages were caused by severe weather.

North Carolina ranks fourth for the highest number of weather-related power outages. Texas is first, followed by California and Michigan.