Duke Energy continues to make progress restoring power

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Feb 17, 2015, 07:16 ET

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Feb. 17, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Damage assessment efforts have gone well and crews continue to restore power to Duke Energy customers affected by this week's winter storm.

Restoration efforts

Currently, more than 1,800 line personnel, supported by thousands of additional resources, are working on the restoration effort. As of early this evening, power had been restored to nearly 150,000 customers.
Additional icing and the rebound effect of thawing tree limbs on power lines today caused additional outages. Road conditions also affected crews' ability to safely assess and restore power in some areas.
The company expects to have storm-related outages restored by late Wednesday evening. However, most customers will be restored sooner. There may be isolated, scattered outages remaining beyond this time, depending on individual cases.
Based on the estimated time of restoration, families who have special medical needs or elderly members should consider making alternate arrangements as needed.
Customers can get an update on their specific outage by viewing the current outage map on duke-energy.com, calling Duke Energy or opting in to receive a text message.

"We understand how difficult it is to be without power and we appreciate our customers' patience as we work to restore their service as quickly and safely as possible," company officials said.

Safety

Safety remains critically important during restoration efforts. Avoid downed power lines. All lines should be considered energized and dangerous. Please call 911 and Duke Energy to report downed lines.
On the roads, please slow down or move over for Duke Energy crews or emergency management crews working along the side of the road. Help make sure the employees working to restore power finish the job and get home to their families safely.

Safety near work zones

As restoration efforts continue, motorists are likely to see utility crews working on roadways across the region. In North Carolina, the law requires drivers to move over or slow down for electric utility vehicles with flashing yellow lights responding to emergency situations. For more information on the Move Over Law, go to http://www.duke-energy.com/news/releases/2010113001.asp .

Reporting an outage

Customers who lose power should turn off as many appliances and electronics as possible. This helps with restoration efforts because it reduces the immediate demand on power lines when power is restored.

Once power is restored, please wait a few minutes before turning your equipment back on.

Customers who experience an outage during the storm should call the automated outage-reporting systems for their respective utility:

Duke Energy Carolinas: 1-800-POWERON (1-800-769-3766)
Duke Energy Progress: 1-800-419-6356

Customers can also report an outage or view current outages online at www.duke-energy.com/storms.

Duke Energy also provides updates on its social media channels to keep customers informed about outages.

Duke Energy on Twitter: http://twitter.com/DukeEnergy
Duke Energy on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/DukeEnergy

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 media line: 800.559.3853

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SOURCE Duke Energy