Power Outage

Duke Energy is deploying 18,000 personnel to prepare for Winter Storm Fern’s impact on the Carolinas, anticipating widespread power outages due to snow, sleet, and freezing rain. Ice accumulation is a primary concern, threatening power lines and infrastructure. The utility is urging customers to finalize storm preparedness plans and has established basecamps to support restoration efforts from out-of-state crews.

Following a San Francisco power outage that halted its services, Waymo is deploying fleet-wide software updates. These enhancements will improve vehicle awareness of regional power failures and optimize navigation at intersections. The company is also refining emergency response protocols through increased collaboration with city officials and updating first responder training. This initiative aims to bolster the resilience of Waymo’s autonomous fleet, building on millions of miles of driving experience.

A widespread power outage in San Francisco forced Waymo to temporarily halt its fully autonomous ride-hailing services. The disruption, caused by a substation fire, left many streets impassable and Waymo vehicles stalled. While power is largely restored, the incident highlights the challenges of AV deployment in such scenarios. Tesla CEO Elon Musk claimed Tesla’s robotaxis were unaffected, though Tesla currently requires human supervision for its ride-hailing services in the area.

Following severe storms with 70 mph winds, ComEd is working to restore power to northern Illinois. Over 80% of impacted customers have been brought back online. As of Sunday morning, roughly 40,000 customers remained without power, primarily in areas like Crystal Lake and Rockford. Over 500 crews are deployed, and ComEd anticipates restoring power to nearly all customers by Monday afternoon, prioritizing critical infrastructure. The utility urges caution around downed lines and offers various reporting and tracking tools. ComEd has invested significantly in grid modernization, improving reliability.

Duke Energy is preparing for severe weather forecasted to impact its Indiana service territory. The company is mobilizing resources and urges customers to prepare for potential power outages by charging devices, stocking emergency kits, and planning for special needs. Customers can report outages and receive updates via text, mobile app, website, or phone. Duke Energy is Indiana’s largest electric supplier, serving 920,000 customers. Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK) is committed to a cleaner energy future.