The 10 storms that caused the most Peco outages in the Philly region
The Juneteenth storms knocked out power for about 327,000 Peco customers and counting, as trees continue to fall and knock down power lines. The damage puts the storm among the 20 worst outage events the energy provider has weathered, but not in the top 10. Here are the 10 biggest storms based on outages, according to Peco.
The Juneteenth storms knocked out power for about 327,000 Peco customers and counting, as trees continue to fall and knock down power lines. The damage puts the storm among the 20 worst outage events the energy provider has weathered, but not in the top 10. Here are the 10 biggest storms based on outages, according to Peco.
10. Tropical Storm Isaias: 402,388 outages
In August 2020, Isaias’ remnants spawned five tornadoes. Flooding led to hundreds of rescues, and a 5-year-old was killed. Property damage was extensive.
10. Tropical Storm Isaias: 402,388 outages
In August 2020, Isaias’ remnants spawned five tornadoes. Flooding led to hundreds of rescues, and a 5-year-old was killed. Property damage was extensive.
9. Hurricane Floyd: 408,822 outages
In September 1999, Hurricane Floyd set a daily rain record in Philly. Winds gusted to near 50 mph, and the region experienced widespread flooding, with the storm's impact resulting in at least two deaths.
9. Hurricane Floyd: 408,822 outages
In September 1999, Hurricane Floyd set a daily rain record in Philly. Winds gusted to near 50 mph, and the region experienced widespread flooding, with the storm's impact resulting in at least two deaths.
8. June 2020 derecho: 453,719 outages
Quick-moving lines of potent thunderstorms incited wind gust to 68 mph at PHL, and 93 mph in Atlantic City. The derecho was blamed for four deaths, all the result of falling trees.
8. June 2020 derecho: 453,719 outages
Quick-moving lines of potent thunderstorms incited wind gust to 68 mph at PHL, and 93 mph in Atlantic City. The derecho was blamed for four deaths, all the result of falling trees.
7. July 2006 storm: 483,131 outages
Heat-wave breaking storms targeted their ferocity on parts of the region with heavy rains, lightning, and winds to 50 mph. It left mazes of downed trees in its wake.
7. July 2006 storm: 483,131 outages
Heat-wave breaking storms targeted their ferocity on parts of the region with heavy rains, lightning, and winds to 50 mph. It left mazes of downed trees in its wake.
6. Hurricane Irene: 508,048 outages
Power-outage numbers were impressive but a big concern with Irene was flooding from rains that made August 2011 the wettest month in Philly’s history. President Barack Obama declared both Pennsylvania and New Jersey disaster areas.
6. Hurricane Irene: 508,048 outages
Power-outage numbers were impressive but a big concern with Irene was flooding from rains that made August 2011 the wettest month in Philly’s history. President Barack Obama declared both Pennsylvania and New Jersey disaster areas.
5. Hurricane Isabel: 517,343 outages
After Isabel’s remnants blew through the region in September 2003, local officials said they had escaped the worst. But the winds from what a PennDot spokesperson described as a “tree event” caused a substantial number of outages.
5. Hurricane Isabel: 517,343 outages
After Isabel’s remnants blew through the region in September 2003, local officials said they had escaped the worst. But the winds from what a PennDot spokesperson described as a “tree event” caused a substantial number of outages.
4. January 1994 "ice breaker" storm: 520,016 outages
It was just a thin veneer of ice, but what lacquered the roads, sidewalks, and trees shut down the region. It was the first of a sequence of ice storms in Philly in a winter that depleted salt supplies throughout the Northeast and Midwest.
4. January 1994 "ice breaker" storm: 520,016 outages
It was just a thin veneer of ice, but what lacquered the roads, sidewalks, and trees shut down the region. It was the first of a sequence of ice storms in Philly in a winter that depleted salt supplies throughout the Northeast and Midwest.
3. March 2018 nor'easter: 598,840 outages
Totals of 6 to 9 inches of snow were reported, but what took down so much wood was the combination of snow and sideways winds winds up to 60 mph. A weather service meteorologist said some places probably experienced blizzard conditions.
3. March 2018 nor'easter: 598,840 outages
Totals of 6 to 9 inches of snow were reported, but what took down so much wood was the combination of snow and sideways winds winds up to 60 mph. A weather service meteorologist said some places probably experienced blizzard conditions.
2. February 2014 "ice crusher" storm: 713,802 outages
Up to 16 inches of heavy snow was followed hours later by a freezing rain event that added weight to the snowy branches. Down they came. Some folks were out of power for several days in what was one of the worst winters on record in Philly.
2. February 2014 "ice crusher" storm: 713,802 outages
Up to 16 inches of heavy snow was followed hours later by a freezing rain event that added weight to the snowy branches. Down they came. Some folks were out of power for several days in what was one of the worst winters on record in Philly.
1. Superstorm Sandy: 842,950 outages
The debate over whether Sandy was a hurricane when it made landfall at the Jersey Shore may never be resolved. But indisputably, it was one of the all-time wind events for the entire region, and still the reigning power-outage champion.
1. Superstorm Sandy: 842,950 outages
The debate over whether Sandy was a hurricane when it made landfall at the Jersey Shore may never be resolved. But indisputably, it was one of the all-time wind events for the entire region, and still the reigning power-outage champion.