Even Quiet Hurricane Seasons Can Bring Big US Power Disruptions

Meteorologists are forecasting about 13 named Atlantic storms this season, or a little less activity than average. That sounds like good news for the US power grid and everyone who relies on it.

But a look back at recent years suggests the number of storms in hurricane season, which begins June 1, may be an unreliable predictor of how much damage is caused, specifically when it comes to downed power infrastructure, according to a new research note by Hayley Lai, grids and utilities analyst for BloombergNEF.

Vehicles and debris left by Hurricane Helene in Treasure Island, Florida, on Oct. 7, 2024.

Photographer: Tristan Wheelock/Bloomberg

The concentration and resilience of local infrastructure matters as much or more than ...