CHARLOTTE, NC – Duke Energy has restored power to 313,000 North Carolina and South Carolina customers impacted by Tropical Storm Irma’s high winds, and expects to restore electricity to the remaining 57,000 by 11 p.m. Friday, if not sooner.
Specific restoration times can be found by clicking here.
At the height of the storm, 171,000 Duke Energy customers in the Carolinas were without power simultaneously.
More than 3,700 Duke Energy workers are making repairs to heavily damaged power lines and other electrical equipment in multiple cities, towns and rural areas in both states.
Crews are replacing more than 80 miles of damaged power lines, 300 utility poles and 125 transformers.
Hardest-hit areas are located in the North Carolina mountains (Buncombe, Jackson and Macon counties), and Upstate South Carolina (Anderson, Greenville, Pickens, Oconee and Laurens counties).
One example: In the North Carolina mountain town of Cashiers, damage in some areas was so severe that Duke Energy crews used bulldozers to cut temporary roads to access power lines and utility poles knocked down by large trees and other vegetation blown over by the storm’s high winds.
“We greatly appreciate our customers’ ongoing patience and graciousness as we work to restore power quickly and safely under some extremely challenging conditions,” said Tim Tripp, Duke Energy’s director of storm response for the Carolinas. “Our crews will continue to work long hours until every customer’s lights are back on.”
Florida Update
In Florida, we have restored power to 800,000 customers and 600,000 customers remain without power.
Duke Energy says they experienced significant damage across the electrical system in Florida. Crews are replacing almost 3,000 poles; approximately 950 miles of wire and more than 1,100 transformers.
More than 12,000 line workers, tree professionals, damage assessors and support personnel have been mobilized to tackle Hurricane Irma’s aftermath and restore service for customers who were impacted.
Duke Energy crews are working to restore all of the 124 transmission lines and 68 substations that were out of service.
How to report power outages
Customers can report power outages by:
- Texting OUT to 57801 (standard text and data charges may apply)
- Calling the automated outage-reporting system at 800-769-3766 for Duke Energy Carolinas customers and 800-419-6356 for Duke Energy Progress customers.
- Safety reminders
- 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.
- Report all power line hazards using the following phone numbers:
- Duke Energy customers – 800.769.3766
- Duke Energy Progress customers – 800.419.6356
- Click here for a video demonstration and to read more about safety around power lines.
- 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 your meter box is pulled away from your house – and you have no power – the homeowner is responsible for contacting an electrician for a permanent fix. In some instances, an electrical inspection may be required before Duke Energy can reconnect your service. Your electrician should be aware and advise you accordingly.
- If the meter box is pulled away from the house – and you have power – you should call an electrician to reattach the meter box. Again, an electrical inspection may be required.
