We’re prepared!

January 21, 2026

Good evening,

As you may already know, a significant winter storm is poised to affect the Carolinas this weekend, especially Saturday afternoon through Sunday. Duke Energy is preparing for this wintry mix and has a detailed storm response plan.

Our in-house team of meteorologists is currently monitoring weather forecasts ahead of the winter storm to evaluate the potential for power outages and to support outage response preparations. Duke Energy meteorologists are tracking the storm and updating forecast models, which influence how the company mobilizes its workers and other resources as needed. 

As the storm approaches, crews will be checking equipment, supplies and inventories to ensure adequate materials are available to make repairs and restore power outages as they occur.  

We will also conduct pre-storm tree trimming this week ahead of the storm to limit customer impact and support restoration efforts. We trim trees and manage vegetation year-around across our service area to reduce the number and length of power outages caused by vegetation.   

Crews are ready to support outage restoration in areas impacted by the storm. An advantage of being a large utility is that we are well-equipped to support our service areas and can move crews not in the storm’s path to areas where outages occur. 

The winter storm will make driving conditions hazardous in some areas, which could potentially affect travel and outage response until roads are cleared. 
 Making improvements ahead of the storm  

Duke Energy works on grid improvements throughout the year to help avoid outages and restore power faster when outages occur. These improvements include tree trimming around power lines, pole and line upgrades, and installing smart, self-healing technology.  

Self-healing grid technology quickly identifies power outages and reroutes power to restore service faster for customers when an outage occurs. 

  Heavy ice/snow on trees, branches, power lines  

The type of precipitation in a winter storm can increase the likelihood of power outages.  Ice buildup of a quarter-inch or more on trees and branches, typically a quarter-inch or more, can cause them to fall on power lines and create power outages during a winter storm.  Higher accumulations of a half-inch or more on power lines can sometimes cause the power lines to sag or even fall as well.  

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:   

·                            Text OUT to 57801 (standard text and data charges may apply). 
 

·        Visit duke-energy.com/outages 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.   
 

·        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.   

Important safety tips  

Be sure to have a plan in place if you lose power for an extended period of time, especially if you or a family member relies on electricity for medical needs. This is especially important in a winter storm when travel conditions could be hazardous.  Please consider the following reminders.

• Stay away from power lines that have fallen or are sagging. Consider all lines energized, as well as trees, limbs, fences, or anything in contact with lines.  

• Ensure mobile phones remain charged, and you have an adequate supply of flashlights, batteries, bottled water, nonperishable foods, and medicines.  

• If you use a generator, follow the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure safe and proper operation. Operate your generator outside, and never in a building or garage.  

• Do not use grills or other outdoor appliances indoors for space heating or cooking, as these devices may emit carbon monoxide.  

• If a power line falls across a car that you're in, stay in the car. If you MUST exit 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.  

• Winter storms can result in hazardous driving conditions. Stay off the road if possible, but if you must travel, watch for utility crews working along the road restoring power. Move over or slow down and give them room to work safely.