So there are power outages happening before the storm even reaches land (and after it dissipates, outside of it's path), so much that it looks a bit like random noise? Is that normal over there?
Depends on were you live. For example I live in an area with a stable power grid, however my aunt lives only 15 miles north and over a river and whenever there's a wreck on the bridge, they have to shut off the power going over the bridge to safely inspect it.
Now that's possible why that could be happening but its more likely rain bands generated by the hurricane.
Dude at least in Asheville, NC. We had a massive storm the night before, took down a fair few trees. I imagine it was hard to get some of that back on, then the wind picked up before the heavy heavy rain came.
My brother is a linesman for a power company in upstate SC. He also moonlights as an arborist. He's been busy. He told me that if the power company didn't get out of state help, it would have taken them 8 months to fully restore power.