Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding Leave Thousands Without Power Across Multiple States

A relentless string of severe weather pummeled the United States from July 14 through July 17, bringing tornadoes, flash floods, and powerful thunderstorms to communities from Texas to Maine. At least seven states experienced significant power outages, with some residents facing multi-day restoration efforts as crews worked around the clock to repair downed lines and clear debris.

Texas: San Antonio Hit by Tornado Just Days After Severe Storms

The San Antonio area endured a particularly brutal week of weather. On July 14, a strong thunderstorm brought heavy rain and lightning to the region. According to MySanAntonio, CPS Energy's outage map showed 1,599 customers without power due to 19 active outages as of 8:34 a.m. Other reports indicated that more than 7,000 CPS Energy customers were without power Tuesday morning as heavy rain and thunderstorms swept through the area.

The National Weather Service reported that parts of Bexar, Comal, Medina, Uvalde, and Val Verde counties had received 2 to 4 inches of rain in the previous three hours. CPS Energy stated that crews were working to restore power, but flooded roads and hazardous conditions could limit access and delay restoration efforts. A flash flood watch remained in effect for multiple counties through Thursday evening.

The severe weather escalated dramatically on Wednesday morning. According to Weather.com, a tornado confirmed by the National Weather Service struck the north side of San Antonio during the morning rush hour. The tornado, later confirmed as an EF-1, was confirmed before 8 a.m. and swept through parts of Bexar, Comal, and Kendall counties.

One of the most striking images was the eerie blue glow that lit up the sky when the tornado struck a transformer. Apartment building roofs were torn off, exposing the interiors of residents' units. Debris littered parking lots, and first responders were dispatched to reports of damage at apartment complexes and a movie theater.

CPS Energy worked throughout the morning to restore power to thousands of customers. By 1:41 p.m., the company's outage map showed 233 customers still without power. Six Flags Fiesta Texas and Hurricane Harbor San Antonio were closed Wednesday due to power outages. No injuries were reported.

Maine: Over 60,000 Customers Lose Power as Storms Sweep State

A powerful thunderstorm system swept across Maine on July 16, causing widespread power outages across the state. According to Sun Journal, Central Maine Power reported more than 36,000 customers without power as of approximately 3 p.m. Thursday, including over 9,000 in Kennebec County, roughly 8,000 in Oxford County, more than 7,300 in Franklin County, and nearly 6,000 in Penobscot County.

Versant Power reported more than 150 outages affecting nearly 13,800 customers, primarily in the Bangor and Downeast areas. By 4:43 p.m., CMP's outage numbers had risen to more than 44,000 customers, while Versant approached 16,000.

Multiple public safety departments reported calls about downed wires and trees blocking roads. The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm watch for parts of the state. As of 8:30 a.m. Friday, approximately 15,000 households remained without power. CMP called upon its Connecticut sister utility for mutual aid assistance. In Hancock County, 7,614 Versant customers remained without power. In the Deer Isle-Stonington area, some residents faced outages lasting up to 52 hours due to storm damage.

Washington State: Thunderstorms Trigger Hundreds of Outages

A thunderstorm rolling through western Washington on July 16 triggered hundreds of power outages. According to MyNorthwest, as of noon, Seattle City Light reported 128 unplanned outages from the Bitter Lake area to White Center. Puget Sound Energy saw 1,166 outages spanning from Nooksack to Tenino, with most concentrated in the Redmond area. Tacoma reported 11 outages affecting 85 customers.

By 3 p.m., Seattle City Light's outage numbers had risen to 369 unplanned outages. The storms also impacted air travel, with a ground stop implemented at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The causes of many outages remained under investigation.

Washington D.C. Area: Flash Flood Emergency Declared

Torrential rain and flash flooding caused significant damage in the Washington D.C. area on July 16. According to CGTN, the National Weather Service declared a flash flood emergency for the region. Downed power lines were a widespread problem, with thousands of residents experiencing power outages as the storms moved through the area.

Ohio: Thunderstorms Bring Down Trees, Power Lines

Severe thunderstorms swept through Ohio's Mad River Township area on July 17, toppling trees and utility poles and damaging power lines. According to the Dayton Daily News, the storms left thousands without power and blocked roads across the region. Crews worked to clear debris and restore electricity to affected residents.

Tennessee: Flash Flooding Strikes Knoxville Area

Another flash flood warning covered the Knoxville and Farragut areas on July 17, with approximately 1,500 KUB customers losing power amid the dangerous storms, according to Knox News. The warning came as the region continued to experience repeated rounds of heavy rainfall throughout the week.

Arkansas: Tornado Slams Little Rock, Nearly 70,000 Customers Without Power

A tornado struck Little Rock, Arkansas on July 17, causing extensive damage. According to Ahram Online, the tornado smashed rooftops and flipped vehicles as it tore through the city. By Friday afternoon, nearly 70,000 customers were without power across Arkansas, with neighboring Oklahoma reporting approximately 37,000 outages.

Growing Need for Backup Power

The intense weather across multiple states over a single week highlights a troubling trend: extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and severe. For families in storm-prone areas, having reliable backup power is no longer optional — it's essential. Explore Kingboss backup power solutions to keep your lights, appliances, and medical devices running when storms knock out the grid.

Note: Some images and portions of text in this article were generated or enhanced using AI tools. While we strive for accuracy, AI-assisted content may not always reflect real events or individuals with complete precision. Please refer to official sources for factual verification.

Sources:

1. MySanAntonio - CPS Energy outage map shows power outages amid San Antonio storms - https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/weather/article/cps-energy-outages-22344439.php
2. FOX San Antonio - Storms knock out power to over 7,000 CPS Energy customers in San Antonio, road closures - https://foxsanantonio.com
3. Weather.com - Tornado strikes San Antonio, causing power outages, flooding - https://weather.com/2026/07/15/news/weather/san-antonio-tornado-damage-apartments-bexar-comal-kendall
4. KSAT - At least 10 UTSA students may be displaced after tornado hits Northwest Side apartments, police say - https://www.ksat.com
5. FOX San Antonio - Confirmed EF-1 tornado leaves damage near The Rim in San Antonio - https://foxsanantonio.com
6. Sun Journal - Thousands without power as storms sweep through Maine - https://www.sunjournal.com/2026/07/16/thousands-without-power-as-storms-sweep-through-maine/
7. Bangor Daily News - Thousands without power after storm descends on Maine - https://www.bangordailynews.com
8. WABI TV - Thursday storms knock out power across Maine; crews work to restore electricity - https://www.wabi.tv
9. MyNorthwest - Thunderstorms knock out power across western Washington - https://mynorthwest.com/pacific-northwest-weather/thunderstorms-4/4257552
10. CGTN - Torrential rain causes major flash flooding in Washington D.C. area - https://news.cgtn.com/news/2019-07-09/Torrential-rain-causes-major-flash-flooding-in-Washington-D-C-area-IbFZN9q4eI/index.html
11. Dayton Daily News - Hundreds without power, roads blocked after thunderstorms bring down trees, power lines - https://www.daytondailynews.com
12. Knox News - Knoxville, Farragut and surrounding areas under another flash flood warning - https://www.knoxnews.com
13. Ahram Online - Tornado slams Little Rock, smashes rooftops, flips vehicles - https://english.ahram.org.eg