Duke Energy's Resilience: Restoring Power and Rebuilding Infrastructure in Western N.C.

Duke Energy, a leading energy holding company, has demonstrated unwavering commitment to its customers and communities in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. The storm, which made landfall in Florida on September 26, resulted in over 3.1 million customer outages across six states, including North and South Carolina. Duke Energy has been tirelessly working to restore power and rebuild infrastructure, particularly in the hardest-hit areas of western North Carolina.

The company has made significant progress, restoring service to more than 2.6 million customers since Helene struck. However, approximately 84,000 customers in western North Carolina remain without power due to the storm's devastating impact. Duke Energy's storm director for the Carolinas, Jason Hollifield, acknowledged the unprecedented damage caused by Helene, stating, "Sadly, Helene’s devastation is unlike anything we’ve ever experienced in the western parts of the Carolinas."

Duke Energy has shifted to a targeted approach to address the ongoing challenges in western North Carolina. The company is coordinating with local, state, and federal agencies to rebuild communities and restore power to customers. This collaborative effort is crucial for ensuring efficient and effective restoration efforts. Duke Energy has also established a dedicated webpage and command center to provide real-time information and resources to impacted customers.

The company's initial restoration strategy focused on prioritizing the backbone of its system, which can be compared to the interstate highways and interchanges of the power grid. As the backbone work was completed, Duke Energy moved personnel to work on the power grid's thousands of miles of lines and poles that serve individual homes and businesses. This targeted approach has allowed the company to restore power to a significant number of customers while addressing the most severe damage in the hardest-hit areas.

Duke Energy's commitment to its customers and communities is evident in its ongoing efforts to restore power and rebuild infrastructure in western North Carolina. The company's targeted approach, collaboration with stakeholders, and dedication to keeping customers informed have been instrumental in its success thus far. As Duke Energy continues to work diligently to restore power to the remaining customers, it is clear that the company's resilience and commitment to its customers will help the Carolinas recover from the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene.