CHARLOTTE, N.C., Dec. 15,
2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Duke Energy is monitoring and
preparing for a severe weather system expected to move through the
Carolinas Sunday, which may cause widespread power outages.
"Duke Energy meteorologists are tracking this significant
weather event, and our crews are prepared to restore power as
safely and quickly as possible," said Jason
Hollifield, Carolinas Storm Director. "It is our priority to
keep our customers informed and urge them to prepare in
advance."
High winds and saturated ground may lead to downed trees, limbs
and power lines. These winds can also impede Duke Energy workers'
ability to assess storm damage and restore power.
Safety information
Duke Energy encourages customers to have a plan in place to
respond to an extended power outage after severe weather. Below are
some general storm tips:
Before the storm
Have a plan in place for what you will do if you lose power.
Consider keeping a storm emergency supply kit handy, in case it is
needed. A typical kit might include medicines, water, nonperishable
foods and other supplies that might be hard to find after a storm
hits. You can keep the kit handy year-around for when severe
weather strikes.
Maintain a plan to move family members – especially those with
special needs – to a safe, alternative location in case an extended
power outage occurs.
Charge cellphones, computers and other electronic devices in
advance of storms to stay connected to important safety and
response information. Consider purchasing portable chargers and
make sure they are fully charged as well.
Keep a portable radio or TV or a NOAA weather radio on hand to
monitor weather forecasts and important information from state and
local officials.
After the storm
Stay away from power lines that have fallen or are sagging.
Consider all lines energized, as well as trees, limbs or anything
in contact with lines.
If a power line falls across a car that you are in, stay in the
car. If you MUST get out of the car due to a fire or other
immediate life-threatening situation, do your best to jump clear of
the car and land on both feet. Be sure that no part of your body is
touching the car when your feet touch the ground.
If you are driving and come across a utility crew working along
the road to repair power, move over or slow down to keep crews and
yourself safe. It's not just a good idea – it's the law.
Outage reporting
After a storm hits, restoring power as safely and quickly as
possible is our top priority, while keeping our customers informed.
Customers who experience an outage during a storm can report it the
following ways:
- Visit duke-energy.com on a desktop computer or mobile
device.
- Use the Duke Energy mobile app – Download the Duke Energy App
from a smartphone via Apple Store or Google Play.
- Text OUT to 57801 (standard text and data charges may
apply).
- Call the automated outage-reporting system, at: 800.POWERON
(800.769.3766).
- Visit our interactive outage map to find up-to-date information
on power outages, including the total number of outages systemwide
and estimated times of restoration.
Understand how Duke Energy restores power.
Duke Energy
Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150
company headquartered in Charlotte,
N.C., is one of America's largest energy holding companies.
Its electric utilities serve 8.2 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio
and Kentucky, and collectively own
50,000 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas unit serves
1.6 million customers in North
Carolina, South Carolina,
Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. The company employs 27,600
people.
Duke Energy is executing an aggressive clean energy transition
to achieve its goals of net-zero methane emissions from its natural
gas business by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions from electricity
generation by 2050. The company has interim carbon emission targets
of at least 50% reduction from electric generation by 2030, 50% for
Scope 2 and certain Scope 3 upstream and downstream emissions by
2035, and 80% from electric generation by 2040. In addition, the
company is investing in major electric grid enhancements and energy
storage, and exploring zero-emission power generation technologies
such as hydrogen and advanced nuclear.
Duke Energy was named to Fortune's 2022 "World's Most Admired
Companies" list and Forbes' "World's Best Employers" list. More
information is available at duke-energy.com. The Duke
Energy News Center contains news releases, fact sheets, photos
and videos. Duke Energy's illumination features stories
about people, innovations, community topics and environmental
issues. Follow Duke Energy
on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.
24-Hour: 800.559.3853
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SOURCE Duke Energy