CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Duke Power has returned electrical service to 678,900 customers, half of the more than 1.3 million customers who lost power due to the worst ice storm in company history.

Line crews will repair circuits that restore the largest number of customers, then tackle the time-consuming task of fixing the smaller circuits, which are equally important but affect fewer customers.

“It is taking heroic effort to recover from this natural disaster,” said E.O. Ferrell, senior vice president of electric distribution for Duke Power. “Our crews are providing that effort and we are grateful.”

It took 10 days to restore the 660,000 customers who lost power in the 1996 ice storm. Crews from Duke Power, and 4,300 workers from off-system, including 15 other states, have matched that restoration number in only three. 

“We will continue to work around the clock until everyone has electricity,” Ferrell said. “We expect the weather to continue cooperating, providing optimum conditions for our crews to work.”

Outage numbers will continue to fluctuate as line workers have to disconnect some service to test lines or make additional repairs further down the line.

The company projects 90 percent of the outages will be restored by Wednesday night, Dec. 11.  Restoration may be longer for customers with individual service or equipment problems.

Power outages and downed power lines should be reported using the 1-800-POWERON (1/800-769-3766) telephone line. If a customer has reported an outage, it isn’t necessary to call again unless the customer’s power remains off when a neighbor’s power is restored.

Major areas affected as of 9:30 p.m.:

* These numbers do not reflect outages in all areas of the Duke Power service territory.

ESTIMATED TIMES OF RESTORATION

SATURDAY, DEC. 7, WE WILL PROVIDE UPDATES ON OUR MEDIA OUTAGE UPDATE LINE AT 704/382-8333 ON THE FOLLOWING SCHEDULE:

6:30 a.m.

11 a.m.

4:30 p.m.

9:30 p.m.

PLEASE PRESS OPTION 1. THIS OPTION WILL ALSO ALLOW YOU TO REACH A REPRESENTATIVE FOR INTERVIEW.

Duke Power, a business unit of Duke Energy, is one of the nation’s largest electric utilities and provides safe, reliable, competitively priced electricity to approximately two million customers in North Carolina and South Carolina. Duke Power operates three nuclear generating stations, eight coal-fired stations, 31 hydroelectric stations and numerous combustion turbine units. Total system generating capability is approximately 19,300 megawatts. More information about Duke Power is available on the Internet at: www.dukepower.com.

Duke Energy is a diversified multinational energy company with an integrated network of energy assets and expertise. The company manages a dynamic portfolio of natural gas and electric supply, delivery and trading businesses – meeting the energy needs of customers throughout North America and in key markets around the world. Duke Energy, headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is a Fortune 500 company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DUK. More information about the company is available on the Internet at: www.duke-energy.com.