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Duke Energy: Power Restoration Efforts in the Carolinas

Duke Energy has made significant strides in restoring electricity to residents across the Carolinas following the disruptions caused by Winter Storm Fern. As of January 26, 2026, the company reported that its teams had successfully restored power to more than 131,000 customers, significantly alleviating the widespread outages that affected many families during the recent severe weather conditions.

Overview of Power Restoration

Due to the impact of Winter Storm Fern, a major winter storm that swept through the region, approximately 153,000 customers experienced outages. However, Duke Energy's dedicated crews have worked around the clock to bring electricity back to homes and businesses. By Monday afternoon, reports indicated that about 22,000 individuals were still without power, mainly because of ongoing challenges posed by hazardous road conditions in certain areas.

According to Rick Canavan, the storm director at Duke Energy, the restoration process is progressing well, with the majority of outages expected to be resolved by that evening. However, he mentioned that some harder-hit areas, particularly in sections like Hendersonville, Travelers Rest, and Clemson, might see delays in power restoration until the following day due to more extensive equipment damage and accessibility issues.

To keep the public informed, Duke Energy encouraged customers to consult the Duke Energy Outage Map, which updates outage figures by county in real-time.

Outage Figures

Here are the latest statistics from Duke Energy as of 2 p.m. on January 26:

• - Total Outages Restored: 131,059
• - Customers Still Without Power: 21,976, broken down as follows:

- North Carolina: 93,609 restored, 10,554 without power.
- South Carolina: 37,450 restored, 11,422 without power.

Energy Efficiency Tips Amid Cold Weather

With lower-than-normal temperatures continuing, those customers who have had their power restored are likely to experience increased energy consumption as they ramp up heating systems. In light of this, Duke Energy has shared several practical energy-saving tips aimed at reducing bills without compromising comfort.

1. Adjust Thermostat Settings: Lowering the thermostat by just a degree can lead to significant energy savings.
2. Maintain Heating Systems: Regularly checking air filters ensures that heating systems operate efficiently.
3. Utilize Natural Sunlight: On sunny days, open blinds to warm your home naturally, and close them at night to retain heat.
4. Change Ceiling Fan Direction: Running ceiling fans in a clockwise direction can help push warm air down to where you need it most.

More detailed energy efficiency tips can be found on the Duke Energy website.

Duke Energy’s Role in Community Support

Duke Energy, which provides electricity to around 4.7 million customers in the Carolinas, continues to showcase its commitment to reliability and customer service. The company is also dedicated to playing a vital role in the energy transition, investing heavily in modernizing the electric grid and integrating cleaner energy sources, such as renewables and energy storage.

Customers are advised to remain vigilant for potential scams, particularly text messages related to rolling outages that are circulating. Duke Energy has clarified that messages of this nature should not be trusted and that customers should refrain from clicking any links in these texts.

For ongoing updates and resources, Duke Energy encourages customers to follow their social media channels and visit their website for further assistance. As Duke Energy advances its mission of ensuring safe, reliable energy, they express their gratitude for customers’ patience during the ongoing restoration efforts.

For more information, visit Duke Energy's official site or reach out via their various social media pages.