Duke Energy crews expect to have power restored to most customers by tonight

CHARLOTTE, N.C., June 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Duke Energy's restoration army is striving to restore electricity today to almost all customers affected by Thursday's hurricane-like storm, so dads across the state can return to their normal routines and celebrate Father's Day with their families.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130322/CL81938LOGO )

The 2012 merger of Duke Energy and Progress Energy, combined with assistance from outside crews, provided the manpower to reduce the number of people affected by the storm from more than 700,000 to under 20,000 in just two days.

Duke Energy officials expect to have almost everyone restored by tonight. Outages in some of the hardest hit areas will be restored tomorrow.

"We appreciate the patience and support we've received from our customers," said Jeff Corbett, senior vice president, Duke Energy Carolinas Distribution. "What better way to celebrate Father's Day than returning our customers' electric service to normal and allowing many of our men and women who have been working around the clock on this restoration effort to return to their families."

Crews have been working safely around the clock to complete their tasks. Nearly 500 traveled from Duke Energy's Midwest and Florida operations to assist.

The company has updated estimated times of restoration, which indicate when the majority of outages will be restored in a specific area. Many customers will have their service restored sooner than the estimates. However, certain scattered, isolated outages may remain.

Outage Information

For the best information, customers should call the numbers listed below and enter their account number. Customers should continue to report outages through Duke Energy's automated phone systems:

• Duke Energy – 800-769-3766 (800-PowerOn)
• Duke Energy Progress (North and South Carolina) – 800-419-6356

Using these automated systems is the quickest and easiest way for customers to report their 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.

Customers can also follow Duke Energy on Twitter and Facebook for current updates.

• Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/DukeEnergyStorm
• Facebook - www.facebook.com/ProgressEnergyCarolinas
• Twitter - http://twitter.com/DukeEnergyStorm
• Twitter - www.twitter.com/ProgEnergyNC_SC

Outage maps for the Carolinas are located on http://www.duke-energy.com/news/outage-information.asp.

For a total outage picture, be sure to view all the following maps: Duke Energy North Carolina, Duke Energy South Carolina and Duke Energy Progress.

Photos of the storm restoration effort can be seen at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dukeenergy/sets/72157634121568801/

Current outages

Storm restoration process 
Duke Energy focuses on restoration efforts in the following sequence, many of which occur simultaneously. This sequence enables power restoration to public health and safety facilities and to the greatest number of locations in the shortest length of time:

• Public safety related situations (such as de-energizing live lines);
• Emergency service facilities (hospitals, law enforcement, fire departments);
• Critical infrastructure (water and sewer facilities);Distribution feeders and subfeeders, the "backbone" of the power delivery system;
• Distribution tap lines, which connect the backbone to individual locations (neighborhood lines); and
• Distribution transformers and individual service lines.

Safety 
Safety remains critically important during restoration efforts. Avoid downed power lines. They 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 if you see Duke Energy crews or emergency management crews working along the side 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 .

Duke Energy Progress, a subsidiary of Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), provides electricity and related services to nearly 1.5 million customers in North Carolina and South Carolina. The company is headquartered in Raleigh, N.C., and serves a territory encompassing more than 34,000 square miles including the cities of Raleigh, Wilmington and Asheville in North Carolina and Florence and Sumter in South Carolina. More information is available at www.progress-energy.com.

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 
Please follow @dukeenergystorm for live updates

SOURCE Duke Energy