Are Power Outages Common in Las Vegas?

Power outages are common in Las Vegas, and they have increased recently due to severe weather, aging energy infrastructure, and equipment failures. 

Whether you’re a Las Vegas resident or simply visiting, here’s what to know about outages in Sin City and how to prepare for power disruptions at any time.

What Can Cause a Power Outage in Las Vegas?

A few factors can trigger a power outage in Las Vegas, from natural disasters to equipment issues and human or animal causes. 

Extreme Weather/Natural Disasters

Extreme weather conditions are the most common cause of blackouts in Vegas—the city’s desert climate experiences severe wind, blizzards, and rainstorms with thunder and lightning. 

The areas of Las Vegas most susceptible to these kinds of blackouts are urban neighborhoods.

Infrastructure Failures

Another typical trigger of blackouts or brownouts in Las Vegas is damaged, aging, or failed equipment or grid infrastructure. The city’s power lines are not of the highest quality, which can create extended electricity interruptions in different locations throughout the city. 

Much of the infrastructure is aging, and it should be upgraded, as these changes could help minimize the impact of outages. Other examples include broken distribution or transmission lines or equipment malfunctions.

Human Causes

Human interference can also contribute to power issues. The most common form of human incidents is likely road accidents, in which drivers may collide with vital equipment. Other accidental involvement includes electrical fires, equipment surges, or damaged underground cables. 

Intentional vandalism or destruction is also possible; however, it’s much less common. 

Wildlife Interference

There’s also potential for wildlife interference. Animals can sometimes chew through electricity infrastructures, leading to a loss of electricity supply. However, this is uncommon in urban areas of Las Vegas.

Planned Outages

Planned outages or rolling blackouts are sometimes necessary to maintain the Las Vegas power grid. Residents are usually made aware of these outages ahead of time, so there’s time to plan schedules based on expected blackouts.

Outage Impacts

Outages impact the city in significant ways. Residents and businesses face disruptions to their routines, but broader implications exist for the area’s economics, medical and emergency services, and education systems.

• Communities and Residents – Blackouts disrupt home and business activities and hinder food storage, climate control, security systems, water supply, and sewage management.
• Economic Impact – Extended outages can cause direct revenue losses for commercial businesses, especially those in the food service, entertainment, and retail industries.
• Medical and Emergency Services – Hospitals rely on backup power systems to continue critical operations during outages, but prolonged disruptions can jeopardize the dependability of emergency services and life support systems.
• Education – Schools are also affected when the power goes out, hindering modern teaching methods that rely on internet access and computers.

How To Prepare for a Power Outage in Las Vegas

You can take specific steps to prepare for an outage in Las Vegas, whether planned for maintenance or unexpected. By following this guide, you can better withstand outages with minimal disruption to your routine.

Create an Emergency Kit

Your first priority should be an emergency kit. It should include battery-powered flashlights or lanterns, as well as an ample supply of water and non-perishable food products for everyone in your household. Candles are another option; however, they shouldn’t be left lit when unattended. 

A small portable charger or EcoFlow Portable Power Station is also nice to have in your emergency kit. Don’t forget the first aid supplies, which come in handy if anyone gets injured or falls sick.

Plan for Medications

If anyone in your home relies on medications, ensure you have enough to get you through an extended outage. You can often ask your pharmacy for an emergency 30-day supply to keep on hand. 

Also, consider over-the-counter products that can be helpful for a variety of common health concerns, such as anti-inflammatories, diarrheal, antihistamines, and antibiotic ointments.

Get an Alternative Power Supply

The best home energy security tactic to protect against the interruption of a power outage is an emergency power supply that’s not tied to the grid. You can choose a battery storage solution, such as the EcoFlow DELTA Series Portable Power Stations. 

For example, the EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 has an expandable capacity of up to 48kwh, allowing you to reserve massive energy for even the most prolonged outages and remain empowered without grid connectivity.

If you want something that can generate new energy in addition to storing it, consider investing in the EcoFlow DELTA Series Solar Generators. These generators combine portable power stations with solar panels for a complete renewable energy system.

Use Surge Protectors to Safeguard Delicate Electronics

Using surge protectors between your electronics and wall outlets can help protect them in the event of an outage, and once electricity resumes. They can also allow you extra time to properly shut off electronics, save data or progress, and avoid hardware damage that may not be fixable.

Consider Automatic Power Transfer Systems

Automatic transfer switches kick in immediately during outages to activate your generators, so you don’t have to plug them in or turn them on manually. Another immediate power system you can leverage is an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS), which also immediately springs into action when it registers an outage to prevent interruptions to your electronics.

Stay Informed

Plan ahead and stay informed by signing up for local alerts from NV Energy and other local government authorities. While you might not have electricity, you’re likely to still have cellular service, and these notifications can give you real-time information about the outage and the expected restoration time. 

Invest in Emergency Communication Equipment

Cell phones will be your primary source of communication during a blackout as long as the outage does not impact phone service. However, it’s wise to consider how you can remain connected even if your phone is not usable. For scenarios where the internet and cellular are also down, keeping a hand crank or battery-powered radio will ensure you can still receive important updates. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

Power outages are inevitable in big cities like Las Vegas, Nevada. The best we can do is prepare for these events to minimize their impact on our lives and routines. Always have an emergency kit stocked and ready, and find a way to get updates from the local energy authority. 

You should also consider getting an alternative power source so your day isn’t derailed when the grid is down. Investing in EcoFlow’s Portable Power Stations can supply you with backup power for extended outages, allowing you to charge essential devices and appliances and easily get through these periods.