CHARLOTTE, N.C., Jan. 8, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- Duke Energy is monitoring and preparing for a
severe weather system expected to move through the Carolinas
Tuesday that could cause widespread power outages.
"There have been many severe weather systems across the nation
in recent weeks. Duke Energy meteorologists have been tracking
them, and our crews are prepared to respond if needed," said
Jason Hollifield, Carolinas Storm
Director. "It is our priority to keep our customers informed and
encourage them to prepare in advance."
High winds, severe storms 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.
High water on Duke Energy lakes
Duke Energy continues to move water through its river systems to
prepare for rainfall and runoff.
Individuals who live along lakes and rivers and in flood-prone
areas should pay close attention to local media and weather
forecasts for changes in weather conditions and rising water
levels. Duke Energy also encourages those residents to follow
instructions from local emergency officials.
Real-time lake level information is available
at www.duke-energy.com/community/lakes, by calling
800.829.5253 or on the Duke Energy Lake View mobile app.
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