CHARLOTTE, N.C., July 3, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Like a game of high-stakes chess, Duke Energy is awaiting Hurricane Arthur's next move.
In anticipation of high winds and rain along North Carolina's coast, the company has already begun gathering its forces: 500 line and vegetation management workers and other support personnel are in the area, with another 245 line workers ready to travel at a moment's notice to help mitigate the storm's impact.
Regulations prohibit the operation of bucket trucks in winds that exceed 39 mph and workers cannot be in the bucket if the winds are 35 mph or more. This could slow Duke's restoration efforts, but worker safety is paramount.
The company urges anyone living in the eastern part of the state to take all necessary precautions to be prepared for the storm. These include:
- Check supplies and be sure to have the following items in an emergency response kit: portable radio with fresh batteries, flashlight, first-aid kit, canned or packaged food that can be prepared without cooking or refrigeration, and several days' supply of drinking water.
- If someone in your home has special needs or relies on electric-powered life support equipment, determine now the actions you'd take in the event of an extended power outage (i.e., relocate your family member or have a backup generator available.). And encourage other family members, friends and neighbors to do the same.
Stay Safe
- As severe weather moves through the area, be watchful for downed or sagging power lines. Consider all lines energized as well as trees or limbs in contact with lines. Please report downed power lines to Duke Energy. 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.
Get Connected
- Visit Duke Energy's storm preparedness website -- www.duke-energy.com/storms -- for links to outage reporting tools, safety information and tips. 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
- Follow these social media accounts to get up-to-date information about outages and restoration efforts:
- Facebook -- http://www.facebook.com/DukeEnergyStorm
- Twitter -- http://twitter.com/DukeEnergyStorm
- Duke Energy's mobile-enhanced website makes it easier than ever to report an outage via your mobile device.
Report an Outage
If you experience a power outage, let us know by calling the company's automated outage-reporting system for your specific service area:
- Duke Energy Progress -- 800-419-6356
Using these automated systems is the quickest and easiest way for customers to report outages. By entering a phone number or Duke Energy account number, the customer's outage will be recorded in the company's system and included in restoration plans. Customers can continue to use these resources to get up-to-date information about their outages once restoration times are determined.
Restoring Power
If you experience a power outage after severe weather, it's likely many other customers are out too. When there are widespread power outages, Duke Energy follows a restoration process that focuses on repairs that will return power to the greatest number of customers as safely, quickly and efficiently as possible. Emphasis is placed on vital public health and safety facilities such as hospitals, law enforcement, fire departments, water treatment facilities and pumping stations. This infographic explains the process: http://www.duke-energy.com/pdfs/How-Duke-Energy-Restores-Power.pdf
Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Duke Energy is a Fortune 250 company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DUK. More information about the company is available at: www.duke-energy.com.
24-Hour: 800.559.3853
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SOURCE Duke Energy