Duke Energy is preparing for the arrival of Winter Storm Fern in North and South Carolina by mobilizing over 18,000 workers from 27 states and Canada. The company urges customers to finalize their own storm preparations as forecasts predict hazardous conditions and power outages that could last several days.
Rick Canavan, Duke Energy’s storm director, commented on the evolving situation: “Los pronósticos modelados siguen cambiando y tanto el tipo como la cantidad de precipitación pueden variar a medida que se acerca la tormenta”. He added, “Estamos haciendo los últimos preparativos para que nuestros 18 000 empleados tengan todo lo necesario para evaluar los daños, retirar los árboles caídos y restablecer el suministro eléctrico tan pronto como las condiciones sean seguras”.
Canavan highlighted the risks associated with freezing rain: “La lluvia helada será nuestro enemigo en los próximos días. Esta lluvia se transforma en hielo que se acumula en las ramas de los árboles hasta que, con el peso, se rompen, caen sobre los cables eléctricos y los postes, y los rompen. La lluvia helada y el hielo también dificultarán enormemente la circulación de nuestras cuadrillas por las carreteras, lo cual ralentizará los esfuerzos de restablecimiento del suministro eléctrico”.
He also warned about potential disruptions: “Las tormentas invernales como esta pueden causar serios problemas. Recomiendo encarecidamente a los clientes que se preparen con sus familias para cortes de suministro eléctrico que podrían durar hasta la próxima semana, y a que se aseguren de que sus vecinos también estén preparados”.
Meteorologists continue to track the storm’s path from the west. Snow, sleet or freezing rain could begin Saturday. Ice accumulation poses the greatest risk for prolonged outages; even a quarter inch of ice can bring down branches onto power lines while half an inch or more may break the lines themselves.
Duke Energy crews are completing selective tree trimming to reduce outage risks ahead of the storm. More than 18,000 restoration workers—including line technicians and vegetation specialists—will be positioned across both states by Friday night. These teams include employees and contractors from Duke Energy as well as personnel from other states and Canada.
The company serves approximately 4.7 million electricity customers in North Carolina and South Carolina combined.
In preparation for Fern’s impact, Duke Energy is monitoring weather updates through its internal meteorologists and staging crews along with equipment where severe weather is expected. Twenty-two base camps have been set up across both states for out-of-state crews to coordinate resources and lodging.
Damage assessors and repair crews will be deployed once travel conditions allow. The company continues to coordinate closely with state and local emergency management officials.
Customers are encouraged to review emergency plans—charging phones, gathering flashlights with spare batteries—and utilize resources like the American Red Cross Emergency App (sponsored by the Duke Energy Foundation), which offers emergency checklists and shelter maps.
They should download or update the Duke Energy app via Apple Store or Google Play, confirm account logins to verify contact information, sign up for outage alerts via text/phone/email, and know how to report outages online or at 800.POWERON (800-769-3766).
Safety remains paramount; people should avoid downed power lines or debris caused by storms and operate generators according to manufacturer instructions.
Duke Energy has made improvements such as stronger poles, undergrounding lines in some areas, and self-healing technology that can reduce outages and speed restoration efforts. Despite these upgrades, extended outages remain possible due to icy roads slowing repairs—especially in rural or heavily wooded areas—and blocked roads may delay service restoration further.
For current outage information visit duke-energy.com/OutageMap; for storm tips go to duke-energy.com/StormTips.
Duke Energy provides electric service across six states with an owned generation capacity of 55,100 megawatts. Its natural gas utilities serve customers in five states as part of ongoing efforts toward cleaner energy production while maintaining reliability during extreme weather events.
