“We are carefully monitoring this weather system and are prepared for potential effects to our service territory,” said E.O. Ferrell, senior vice president of electric distribution for Duke Power. "In addition to our Duke Power crews, we have also contacted contractors and other utilities outside of our service territory to ensure potential interruptions of electrical service are restored as safely and quickly as possible."   

Ferrell added, “Actions are underway to relocate Duke Power resources and off-system crews to areas anticipated to be affected by this winter storm."

Should a power line be affected by any storm, please use all safety precautions; consider all power lines energized, as well as any object touching the line.

Ferrell offers the following suggestions:

·         To report a power outage, Duke Power customers should call Duke Power’s toll-free, automated outage reporting line:  1-800-POWERON (1-800-769-3766). As outages are reported, Duke Power crews work from the affected substations and larger lines to begin service restoration.

·         Be safe. Stay away from downed power lines or any object touching a power line.

·         Listen to local media reports for information from Duke Power about affected areas and restoration activities.

To prepare for any power interruptions that might occur, Duke Power advises customers to check their readiness:

·         Consider alternate locations for yourself and your family -- especially those with special needs -- during extended outages.

·         Make sure flashlights are available and working.

·         Don’t open freezers and refrigerators any more than absolutely necessary.

·         Keep a supply of bottled water and non-perishable food items on hand.

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 17,800 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.