PLAINFIELD, Ind., Jan. 18, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Like many
Midwesterners, Duke Energy continues to monitor and prepare for a
winter storm that has the potential to cause power outages across
the company's 69-county Indiana
service area.
Related: B-roll video of storm prep and winter storm power
restoration efforts
"This storm will be different compared to the system that
blanketed the Midwest with snow last weekend," said Duke Energy
Meteorologist Curt Grimoskas. "This one is distinctive because it
has the potential to bring a combination of snow, sleet, rain,
freezing rain, very gusty winds and cold temperatures."
Related: High-resolution photos of winter storm power
restoration work
Snow on its own typically has little to no impact on the
electric system. However, heavy wet snow accumulation, freezing
rain and high winds can bring down trees, limbs and power lines.
These types of winter storms can also create hazardous driving
conditions, which could delay and impede Duke Energy workers'
abilities to assess storm damage and restore power.
Duke Energy workers preparing for and tracking storm
Ahead of this weekend's storm, Duke Energy line technicians and
other workers continue to inspect equipment, check supplies and
restock inventories to ensure adequate materials are available to
make repairs and restore power outages. In addition, Duke Energy
meteorologists are continually tracking the storm's path and
intensity, and updating forecast models, which influence how the
company mobilizes its workers and other resources.
Related: How Duke Energy restores power following a storm
Duke Energy has more than 500 line technicians, service crews
and other storm personnel available across the company's
Indiana service region to respond
to power outages once conditions are safe. Depending on the impact
of the storm, Duke Energy can bring in additional workers from its
Southeast utilities and/or activate mutual aid agreements to enlist
help from other utilities across the U.S.
Safety reminders
Ahead of this winter storm, Duke Energy urges customers to make
plans to move family members – especially those with special needs
– to safe, alternative locations in the event of an extended power
outage. The company also advises customers to be prepared and stay
safe, and to encourage their family members, friends and neighbors
to do the same.
"We can't stress enough the need for customers to be prepared
for this storm and to be ready to move family members and
neighbors – especially those who may be more vulnerable
during a loss of power – to safe, alternative locations,"
said Stan Pinegar, Duke Energy
Indiana state president.
Here are ways customers can be prepared and stay safe before,
during and after a storm:
- Ensure an adequate supply of flashlights, batteries, bottled
water, non-perishable foods, medicines, etc., as well as the
availability of a portable, battery-operated radio, TV or weather
radio.
- Stay away from power lines that have fallen or are sagging.
Consider all lines energized as well as trees or limbs in contact
with lines. Please report downed power lines to Duke Energy or
local emergency services.
- If a power line falls across a car that you're 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 encounter emergency responders or other
roadside work crews, remember to MOVE OVER. It's the law in
Indiana and a good practice for
all drivers.
- If you use a generator due to a power outage, follow the
manufacturer's instructions to ensure safe and proper operation.
Operate your generator outside; never operate it inside a
building or garage.
- Don't use grills or other outdoor appliances or equipment
indoors for space heating or cooking, as these devices may omit
carbon monoxide.
Reporting outages
Customers who experience outages during the storm have multiple
ways to report them:
- Text OUT to 57801 (standard text and data charges may
apply)
- Call the automated outage-reporting system:
-
- Report an outage or view current outages by visiting
duke-energy.com/outages
Duke Energy will also provide updates on its social media
channels to keep customers informed if significant outages
occur:
- Duke Energy on Twitter: twitter.com/DukeEnergy
- Duke Energy on Facebook: facebook.com/DukeEnergy
Duke Energy Indiana
Duke Energy Indiana's operations provide about 6,700 megawatts
of owned electric capacity to approximately 820,000 customers in a
23,000-square-mile service area, making it the state's largest
electric supplier.
Duke Energy Indiana is a subsidiary of Duke Energy (NYSE:
DUK).
Headquartered in Charlotte,
N.C., Duke Energy is one of the largest energy holding
companies in the U.S., with approximately 29,000 employees and a
generating capacity of 49,500 megawatts. The company is
transforming its customers' experience, modernizing its energy
grid, generating cleaner energy and expanding its natural gas
infrastructure to create a smarter energy future for the people and
communities it serves.
The company's Electric Utilities and Infrastructure unit serves
approximately 7.6 million retail electric customers in six states –
North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio
and Kentucky. Its Gas Utilities
and Infrastructure unit distributes natural gas to approximately
1.6 million customers in five states – North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. Its Commercial Renewables unit
operates a growing renewable energy portfolio across the U.S.
A Fortune 125 company, Duke Energy was named to Fortune's 2018
"World's Most Admired Companies" list and Forbes' 2018 "America's
Best Employers" list.
More information about the company is available at
duke-energy.com. The Duke Energy News Center includes news
releases, fact sheets, photos, videos and other materials. Duke
Energy's illumination features stories about people, innovations,
community topics and environmental issues. Follow Duke Energy on
Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.
Contact: Lew Middleton |
317.838.1505 office
24-Hour: 800.559.3853
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SOURCE Duke Energy