CHARLOTTE, N.C., Dec. 10, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Duke Energy is
working to restore the remaining 156,000 customers without power
after this weekend's winter storm that produced record snowfalls
across the Carolinas. The company has restored more than a
half million customers since the storm struck.
The public can follow the latest developments on the winter
storm and Duke Energy's efforts to restore power at:
https://www.dukeenergyupdates.com/.
As of noon today, the company reported 156,000 outages – 110,000
in North Carolina and 46,000 in
South Carolina. The company has
restored power to 500,000 customers since the weekend storm
hit.
"This storm has challenged our customers in so many parts of
their lives. We thank them for their patience," said Duke Energy
Storm Director Jason Hollifield.
"Duke Energy has made great progress in power restoration. But
there is much left to be done. Our crews are working tirelessly to
restore power as quickly and safety as possible – even though some
remnants of the storm are still in our region."
Hollifield added that rugged travel conditions in hard-hit areas
are challenging the movement of Duke Energy crews and local first
responders.
"Some of our areas have more than a foot of snow on the ground
and roadways that are barely passable," he added. "That multiplies
the difficulty to restore power."
Among the hardest hit counties:
North Carolina:
Buncombe, Guilford, Haywood, Mecklenburg, Polk, Rutherford and Transylvania counties.
South Carolina:
Cherokee, Greenville and Spartanburg counties.
Safety reminders
With temperatures at or below freezing, customers should heed
the advice of state and local emergency management officials in
North Carolina and
South Carolina. Both states have
mobile apps for the latest information on shelters and other
needs.
- If you plan to 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 emit
carbon monoxide (CO). The following are symptoms of CO
poisoning:
-
- Flu-like
symptoms
-
Headache
-
Drowsiness
- Ringing sensation in the
ears
-
Nausea
- Blurred
vision
- Chest
pains
- Light-headedness or dizziness
- If you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning, open doors and
windows, leave your home / business and consult a
physician.
- 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.
- 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
North Carolina and South Carolina, and a good practice for all
drivers.
Reporting outages
Customers who experience an outage during the storm have
multiple ways to report it:
- Text OUT to 57801 (standard text and data charges may
apply)
- Call the automated outage-reporting system at 800.POWERON for
Duke Energy Carolinas customers and 800.419.6356 for Duke Energy
Progress customers
- Report an outage or view current outages online at
www.dukeenergyupdates.com
Duke Energy will provide updates on its social media channels to
keep customers informed if significant outages occur:
- Duke Energy on Twitter: www.twitter.com/DukeEnergy
- Duke Energy on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DukeEnergy
About Duke Energy
Headquartered in Charlotte,
N.C., Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK) 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'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.
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: Corporate Communications
24-Hour: 800.559.3853
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SOURCE Duke Energy