Feb. 16, 2015
Duke Energy prepared for cold weather and winter storm
Our company is monitoring the weather forecasts, and is prepared to respond to power outages that may occur due to the potential icy conditions.
The following are some key messages from Duke Energy:
· While many of us like snow and the beauty it brings, ice presents a unique set of challenges when it comes to your electricity.
· Weather forecasts indicate the potential for significant ice accumulations in many parts of our service area, which can bring down trees and power lines, and cause power outages.
· While we’re hoping for the best, Duke Energy is well prepared to respond to any outages that may occur due to this winter storm.
· In addition to our normal preparation efforts such as checking equipment, supplies and inventories, we’re also moving our personnel from other states to assist with restoration efforts in the Carolinas. We have additional crews that will be arriving from Florida and other areas.
· Our crews and support personnel will be coming to work packed and ready to respond for several days.
· We are in close communications with other utilities and industry groups as part of our mutual-aid agreements where we help each other in times of severe weather.
· At times like this, it’s important for customers, communities and companies to work together. When we do this, it brings out the best in everyone.
· We encourage people to check on the elderly and those with special needs during this winter storm event.
· While our crews will be working to restore service as quickly and safely as possible, there is the potential for some outages to last for a few days and we want our customers to be prepared.
Safety Reminders:
· We are prepared, and we encourage customers to prepare by checking their supply of flashlights, batteries, bottled water, non-perishable foods, medicines, etc. Also, ensure a portable, battery operated radio, TV or NOAA radio is on hand.
· Families who have special medical needs or elderly members should closely monitor weather forecasts and make plans for potential alternate arrangements should an extended outage occur.
· 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 and your local police department. 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, but a good practice for all drivers.
North Carolina “Move Over” Law -- North Carolina’s “move over” law requires drivers to move over one lane when two or more lanes are available in each direction to make way for emergency responders, tow trucks, NCDOT incident management assistance patrols, and roadside work crews, such as utility crews. On roads with only one traffic lane in each direction, drivers must slow down and be prepared to stop. Violators could face a fine of up to $250.
Reporting outages
Customers who experience an outage during the storm should call the automated outage-reporting systems for their respective utility:
- Duke Energy Progress: 1-800-419-6356
- Duke Energy Carolinas: 1-800-POWERON (1-800-769-3766)
- Customers may also report an outage or view current outages online at www.duke-energy.com/storms. Additionally, customers who report an outage can select to receive updates via text messaging until their outage is restored.
We also provide updates on our social media channels to keep customers informed should significant outages occur as a result of the storm.
Thank you,
David
David J. McNeill
District Manager
Duke Energy
3308 NC Hwy 5
Aberdeen, N.C. 28315
910-944-5322 (o)
910-690-3718 (c)
