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CHARLOTTE, N.C., Sept. 29, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- As Hurricane Ian passes out of Florida today and follows an expected northward trek, Duke Energy is readying its crews to respond to potential power outages across the Carolinas. The storm is expected to bring with it strong winds and heavy rains that could lead to localized flooding. On Wednesday, states of emergency were declared by the governors of North Carolina and South Carolina.
Duke Energy has 5,200 local responders organized into travel teams – including line technicians, vegetation specialists and damage assessors – who are highly familiar with existing company systems and infrastructure in the Carolinas. They will be staged across all Duke Energy service areas throughout the Carolinas, ready to respond as soon as it is safe to do so.
Duke Energy prepares for storms throughout the year and is able to to draw on other resources from peer utilities and across the region.
High water and flooding are possible on Duke Energy LakesDuke Energy has been lowering lake levels by moving water through its river systems, creating more storage for rainfall and runoff.
Based on the current forecast, spilling is possible. People living along lakes and rivers or in flood-prone areas, including those along the Catawba-Wateree basin, should closely monitor lake levels and 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.
High-water and flooding safety remindersWhile residents of coastal areas are often most at risk of being affected by hurricanes, the current track of Ian is expected to bring damaging high winds and rain inland. Before the storm hits, customers should text REG to 57801 to ensure they are registered to receive text updates about outages that may impact them.
Customers who experience an outage during a storm can report it the following ways:
There is also an interactive outage map where customers can find up-to-date information on power outages, including the total number of outages systemwide and estimated times of restoration.
Power restoration processDuke Energy focuses on restoring power in a sequence that enables power restoration to public health and safety facilities and to the greatest number of customers as safely and quickly as possible. Click here for information on how Duke Energy restores power.
Important safety tipsDuke Energy encourages customers to have a plan in place if they experience a power outage. Below are tips to help you and your family stay safe.
Duke Energy has a dedicated webpage to Hurricane Ian updates available in English and Spanish.
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 28,000 people.
Duke Energy is executing an aggressive clean energy transition to achieve its goals of net-zero methane emissions from its natural gas business and at least a 50% carbon reduction from electric generation by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The 2050 net-zero goals also include Scope 2 and certain Scope 3 emissions. 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' "America'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.
Media contact: Jeff Brooks (Carolinas Media inquiries)
Media line: 800.559.3853
Twitter: @DE_JeffB
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SOURCE Duke Energy