Duke Energy is prepared for severe weather and reminds residents to do the same

CHARLOTTE, N.C., June 6, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- As Andrea, the first tropical storm of the season, bears down on the Carolinas, Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK) reminds residents to be prepared.

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• Customers can easily report and track power outages and monitor lake levels at www.duke-energy.com/storms and www.duke-energy.com/lakes/levels.asp

Severe weather can topple trees and power lines resulting in power outages. In addition, heavy rain can impact water levels of lakes, streams, rivers and other low lying and flood-prone areas.

Duke Energy has a comprehensive emergency response plan to restore power outages and manage water levels of the lakes and rivers it manages.

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:

• North Carolina (Duke Energy) -- 800-769-3766
• South Carolina (Duke Energy) -- 800-769-3766
• 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.  

Duke Energy offers the following tips:

• Be Prepared
  • 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, 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 begins to move 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 and your local police department. 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. 
  • Follow these social media accounts to get up-to-date information about outages and restoration efforts:
• Facebook -- http://www.facebook.com/DukeEnergyStorm
• Facebook -- www.facebook.com/ProgressEnergyCarolinas
• Twitter -- http://twitter.com/DukeEnergyStorm
• Twitter -- www.twitter.com/ProgEnergyNC_SC
  • Duke Energy's mobile-enhanced website makes it easier than ever to report an outage via your Smartphone or mobile device.

Monitor lake levels 

Duke Energy manages a number of lakes and rivers across the Carolinas. To track lake levels and read special messages, go to http://www.duke-energy.com/lakes/levels.asp, People also can call the Lake Information Line at 1-800-829-5253.

Duke Energy is the largest electric power holding company in the United States with more than $110 billion in total assets. Its regulated utility operations serve approximately 7.2 million electric customers located in six states in the Southeast and Midwest. Its commercial power and international business segments own and operate diverse power generation assets in North America and Latin America, including a growing portfolio of renewable energy assets in the United States.

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

SOURCE Duke Energy