Duke Energy restores power to 100,000+ customers; expects to restore power to all by tonight

This story has been updated

Duke Energy OH/KY’s crews restored power for more than 100,000 customers, while nearly 21,000 continue to experience outages as a result of Hurricane Helene.

With a significant number of lineworkers, tree trimmers and other support personnel on the ground working to restore service – the company expects nearly all customers to be restored by tonight. The company will communicate estimated times for restoration directly with any customers who, due to extensive damage in their area, may not be restored tonight.

“Despite the challenging conditions throughout this storm, our crews continue to make very steady progress on restoration,” said Clint Carnahan, Duke Energy Midwest storm director. “I want our customers to know we will continue working until every customer is restored.”

“We appreciate the patience of our customers as we work through this challenging storm response. Our crews have been out around the clock in challenging and variable conditions and continue to make excellent progress,” said Duke Energy Ohio/Kentucky President Amy Spiller. “We have a full complement of crews out in the field – with additional resources that have arrived from other states – that are working and fully engaged to restore power today.”

The storm initially caused outages in seventeen counties due to the high winds ranging between 50-70 miles per hour.

Duke Energy plans to communicate additional information regarding restoration times to customers through Outage Alerts and the Outage Map .

The company is responding to broken poles, trees in power lines and spans of wire down. Duke is also bringing off system resources – over 400 personnel – to support restoration efforts

Power restoration process

During power restoration, the company’s priority is to repair large power lines and other infrastructure that will return power to the greatest number of customers as safely, quickly and efficiently as possible. Crews then can work on repairs affecting individual neighborhoods and homes. Visit www.duke-energy.com for information on how Duke Energy restores power.

How to report power outages

Customers who experience a power outage can report using any of the following methods:

• Visit duke-energy.com on a desktop computer or mobile device.

• Use the Duke Energy mobile app (download the Duke Energy App on your smartphone via Apple Store or Google Play).

• Text OUT to 57801 (standard text and data charges may apply).

• Call Duke Energy’s automated outage reporting system at 800-343-3525.

Customers can receive text, phone, or email alerts with power outage updates. Learn how to sign up at outage alerts. Customers can stay informed by texting REG to 57801.

Important safety tips

Duke Energy urges customers to avoid all downed power lines and assume they are energized. Downed lines should be reported to Duke Energy at 800-228-8485.

If a power line falls across a vehicle that you’re in, stay in the vehicle. If you MUST get out of the vehicle due to an immediate life-threatening situation, do your best to jump clear of the vehicle and land on both feet. Be sure that no part of your body is touching the vehicle when your feet touch the ground.

More tips on what to do before, during and after a storm can be found at duke-energy.com/safety-and-preparedness/storm-safety.

Duke Energy Ohio/Kentucky

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