CHARLOTTE, N.C., Aug. 7, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- As Tropical Storm Debby makes its way into the
Carolinas tomorrow, Duke Energy has 7,500 lineworkers, vegetation
management and other workers, including 300 traveling from the
Midwest to help support storm restoration efforts.
"With safety as our guiding principle, we are strategically
staging crews across the Carolinas to be ready to respond as soon
as conditions are safe to do so," said Jason Hollifield, Duke Energy storm director for
the Carolinas. "We continue to encourage our customers to prepare
for the impending storm."
Also, in advance of the storm, the Duke Energy Foundation has
awarded $50,000 to the American Red
Cross to support disaster response and relief efforts.
"The American Red Cross is proud of our partnership with Duke
Energy and value the support of the Duke Energy Foundation for
disaster relief, especially now as we assist scores of communities
affected by the devastating flooding of Tropical Storm Debby," said
Allison Q. Taylor, chief executive
officer, North Carolina Region, American Red Cross.
Over the past five years, Duke Energy and its Foundation have
donated more than $2.8 million to the
American Red Cross in support of disaster relief.
Additionally, customers are encouraged to download the enhanced
American Red
Cross Emergency app for weather safety. The latest
version of the app is free, available in both English and Spanish
and offers a variety of features including emergency checklists,
interactive maps of open shelters and the ability to monitor
multiple locations for weather alerts.
Safety information
The safety of our customers and communities is important. Duke
Energy encourages customers to have a plan in place to respond to
an extended power outage after a hurricane or other severe weather.
Below are some tips.
Before the storm
- Create (or update) an emergency supply kit to save valuable
time later. The kit should include everything an individual or
family would need, especially medicines, water, nonperishable foods
and other supplies that might be hard to find after a storm
hits.
- Keep a portable radio, TV or a NOAA weather radio on hand to
monitor weather forecasts and important information from state and
local officials.
- Charge mobile phones, 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.
- Maintain a plan to move family members – especially those with
special needs – to a safe, alternative location in case an extended
power outage occurs, or evacuation is required.
Electrical safety guidelines for floods
- If rising water threatens your home or business – or if you
evacuate due to flooding – turn off your power at the circuit
breaker panel or fuse box.
- Electric current passes easily through water, so stay away from
downed electrical lines.
- Don't drive over – and don't stand near – downed electrical
lines.
- Never replace a fuse or touch a circuit breaker with wet hands,
or while standing on a wet or damp surface.
- If your home or business is flooded, Duke Energy cannot
reconnect power until the electrical system has been inspected by a
licensed electrician. If there is damage, an electrician will need
to make necessary repairs and obtain verification from your local
building inspection authority before power can be restored.
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.
- Downed lines will be hard to see in the rain and can
potentially be hidden in standing water. If you encounter large
pools of standing water, stop, back up and choose another
path.
For more tips on how to prepare for storm season, please
visit duke-energy.com/StormTips.
Reporting an outage
Customers are encouraged to sign up for alerts and know how to
report an outage. Receive the most up-to-date information about
restoration efforts by enrolling in Outage Alerts. If you lose
power, text OUT to 57801, report online or through the mobile app,
or call 800.POWERON (800.769.3766).
Duke Energy
Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in
Charlotte, N.C., is one of
America's largest energy holding companies. The company's electric
utilities serve 8.4 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio
and Kentucky, and collectively own
54,800 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas utilities
serve 1.7 million customers in North
Carolina, South Carolina,
Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky.
Duke Energy is executing an ambitious clean energy transition,
keeping reliability, affordability and accessibility at the
forefront as the company works toward net-zero methane emissions
from its natural gas business by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions
from electricity generation by 2050. The company is investing in
major electric grid upgrades and cleaner generation, including
expanded energy storage, renewables, natural gas and nuclear.
More information is available at duke-energy.com and the
Duke Energy News Center. Follow Duke Energy
on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook,
and visit illumination for stories about the people and
innovations powering our energy transition.
Contact: Shawna Berger
Media line: 800.559.3853
Twitter: @DE_ShawnaB
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SOURCE Duke Energy