Power Outages in Iowa by City
2024 was a good year for the Iowa grid: 167 minutes without power per customer, against a 2019–2023 average of 441.
Power outage record for Iowa
Worst year: 2020. Includes major storm days. Source: EIA Form 861.
- 2024: Iowa electric customers averaged 1.15 outages and 167 minutes (2.8 hours) without power. Average across all reporting US utilities: 611 minutes. That makes Iowa 13th of 50 states (1 = fewest outage minutes).
- Storm days vs. ordinary days: leaving out major event days, the figure drops to 90 minutes (US 126). About 46% of the year's outage time came on a handful of severe days.
- Six-year record: the worst year was 2020 (1,759 minutes), the best 2022 (86). 2024 was well below the 2019–2023 average of 441 minutes.
- Largest utilities: MidAmerican Energy Co, 740,347 customers, 219 minutes; Interstate Power and Light Co, 499,530 customers, 116 minutes; Linn County REC, 33,181 customers, 116 minutes.
- Spread between utilities: among 4 utilities with 25,000+ customers, City of Ames - (IA) had the least outage time (39 minutes) and MidAmerican Energy Co the most (219 minutes). Source: EIA Form 861 reliability data, 2019–2024
- Storm record since 2015: 22,647 NOAA storm reports in Iowa, led by thunderstorm wind 5,164, hail 3,996, heavy rain 2,394. Power outages are named in 109 storm episodes. Source: NOAA Storm Events Database
- August 4, 2016, Poweshiek (thunderstorm wind): “At least 12000 people without power in the area.” Source: NOAA Storm Events Database
- May 24, 2024, Dallas (thunderstorm wind): “Several larger trees down in Perry, along with 3500 customers without power.” Source: NOAA Storm Events Database
- December 15, 2021, Allamakee (thunderstorm wind): “Almost 2,700 customers lost power because of the downed poles and lines.” Source: NOAA Storm Events Database
MidAmerican Energy Co serves the most customers (740,347). Source: EIA Form 861.
Iowa ranks 3rd of 7 here (1 = fewest minutes). Source: EIA Form 861.
July had the most (19). Source: NOAA Storm Events Database.
Checked September 2026.
Who to call in Iowa, city by city
5 Iowa cities on this site and the electric utility for each. What to do while you wait is in our power outage guide.
- Des Moines MidAmerican Energy
- Cedar Rapids Alliant Energy
- Davenport MidAmerican Energy
- Sioux City MidAmerican Energy
- Iowa City MidAmerican Energy
Frequently asked questions
Is there a power outage in Iowa right now?
Not on this site: no reports from Iowa in the last 24 hours.
How long are power outages in Iowa?
In 2024 the average Iowa electric customer was without power for 167 minutes (2.8 hours) across 1.15 interruptions, according to EIA Form 861 data. The average across all reporting US utilities was 611 minutes.
Which Iowa utility had the most outage time in 2024?
Among utilities with at least 25,000 customers, MidAmerican Energy Co reported the most: 219 minutes per customer. City of Ames - (IA) reported the least.
When do storms knock out power in Iowa?
NOAA storm reports name power outages in 109 storm episodes in Iowa since 2015, most often in July (19 episodes).
Report counts are user-submitted; other figures name their official source. How our data works