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CHARLOTTE, N.C., Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- With Hurricane Ian's imminent landfall expected along South Carolina's coast, Duke Energy is prepared and urges customers to ready themselves, as well.
"We care about the safety of our customers, crews and employees during and after every storm event," said Jason Hollifield, Duke Energy's Carolinas storm director. "We're trained and prepared, and we want to ensure our customers are safe and ready for any impacts from the storm. Right now, our main concerns are high winds and heavy rain."
Because Duke Energy provides energy service beyond the Carolinas, and is part of the Southeastern Electric Exchange, the company has the ability to request resources from other areas not affected by the storm's path.
Duke Energy has nearly 10,000 crew members ready to respond; more than 6,100 of those are line technicians. Crew members, contractors, tree specialists and other personnel are being staged across North Carolina and South Carolina. Placing crews near areas that will likely be affected by this system allows for the quickest and safest response after the storm passes and conditions are safe.
The company is closely monitoring the weather system, which strengthened into a hurricane overnight and is likely to bring heavy rainfall, strong winds and localized flooding across Duke Energy's service area in the Carolinas.
Customers should prepare for the potential of multiday power outages. When outages occur, Duke Energy is committed to restoring power as safely and quickly as possible, while keeping customers informed throughout the process. Line technicians do not perform elevated work in bucket trucks when winds (sustained or gusts) are above 30 miles per hour.
Power restoration process
Once the storm passes and conditions are safe, Duke Energy will begin assessing damage and restoring outages. The company restores power in a sequence starting with public health and safety facilities and equipment that restores the greatest number of customers. Click here for information on how Duke Energy restores power.
Customers who experience a power outage can report it the following ways:
Duke Energy recommends customers double-check their readiness for possible power outages and offers the following tips to help you and your family stay safe if the power goes out:
Customers should stay tuned to local news for the latest advisories from the National Weather Service and National Hurricane Center (NHC), as well as state and local emergency management officials.
For a hurricane kit checklist and important safety information, visit www.ready.gov. In addition, tips on what to do before, during and after a storm can be found in the Storm Center at duke-energy.com/safety-and-preparedness/storm-safety. A checklist serves as a helpful guide, but it's critical before, during and after a storm to follow the instructions and warnings of emergency management officials in your area.
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.
High-water safety reminders
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