CHARLOTTE, N.C. – As Winter Storm Fern bears down on the Carolinas, Duke Energy is mobilizing a significant force of approximately 18,000 personnel to prepare for potential widespread power outages. The utility is urging its customers to finalize their own storm preparedness plans as forecasts indicate a high probability of challenging conditions extending into the coming week.
Meteorologists are closely tracking Fern’s trajectory, with predictions of snow, sleet, and freezing rain beginning as early as Saturday. The primary concern for prolonged disruptions is the accumulation of ice, which poses a significant threat to the region’s power infrastructure. Ice buildup on tree branches can lead to their breakage, causing them to fall onto power lines and poles. Even a quarter inch of ice accumulation can weigh down branches sufficiently to threaten power lines, while a half inch or more can directly bring down those lines.
Rick Canavan, Duke Energy’s storm director, emphasized the dynamic nature of weather forecasting, noting that “forecast models continue to shift, and both precipitation type and amounts may change as the storm approaches.” Despite this uncertainty, the company is in its final stages of preparation to ensure its extensive workforce is equipped to assess damage, clear debris, and restore power once it is safe to do so.
“Freezing rain is going to be our enemy over the days ahead,” Canavan explained. “It will build up on tree branches until the weight causes them to break – bringing down power lines and poles. The freezing rain and ice will also make roads extremely difficult for our crews to navigate, slowing power restoration efforts.”
To mitigate these risks, Duke Energy has been conducting targeted tree trimming operations in vulnerable areas. The company has also established 22 basecamps across North and South Carolina to support the influx of out-of-state crews. These facilities will serve as hubs for logistics, providing essential services for the thousands of restoration workers who will be arriving from 27 U.S. states and Canada.
Duke Energy serves roughly 4.7 million electric customers across the Carolinas, with approximately 3.8 million in North Carolina and nearly 860,000 in South Carolina. The sheer scale of operations necessitates a robust, multi-state response.
The utility is actively monitoring weather updates, positioning crews and equipment in anticipated high-impact zones, and coordinating closely with state and local emergency management officials.
For customers, Duke Energy is advising a proactive approach to storm readiness. This includes reviewing emergency plans, ensuring essential supplies like flashlights and batteries are at hand, and charging mobile devices. The company also recommends utilizing the American Red Cross Emergency app for real-time alerts and shelter information, and downloading or updating the Duke Energy app for outage reporting and updates. Confirming login credentials for “My Account” and signing up for outage alerts via text, phone, or email are also key steps. Customers are reminded that downed power lines and storm debris pose significant safety hazards, and generators should be operated strictly according to manufacturer instructions.
While Duke Energy has been investing in grid modernization efforts, including stronger poles, undergrounding initiatives, and self-healing technology designed to reduce outages and expedite restoration, the company acknowledges that severe winter storms can still lead to extended disruptions. Difficult travel conditions, particularly in rural or heavily wooded areas, may delay restoration efforts even after the storm has passed. Crews will prioritize critical facilities and work to restore power as safely and quickly as possible once conditions permit.
Duke Energy, a Fortune 150 company, is a significant energy holding company with electric utilities serving millions of customers across North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky. The company is currently focused on an ambitious energy transition, balancing reliability and value while investing in grid upgrades and cleaner energy sources, including natural gas, nuclear, renewables, and energy storage.
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