Duke Energy reported that more than 18,000 customers in North and South Carolina remain without power as of Sunday afternoon, following ongoing impacts from Winter Storm Fern. The storm has brought freezing rain and sleet to the region, causing trees, branches, and power lines to fall and resulting in scattered outages.
The company restored electricity to 24,864 customers by 4 p.m. on January 25. However, due to low temperatures and the accumulation of ice on trees and lines, Duke Energy expects additional outages could occur in the coming days as branches may continue to fall even after precipitation ends.
Rick Canavan, Duke Energy’s storm director, said: “Winter Storm Fern continues to create hazardous conditions across the Carolinas, and we expect the number of outages to increase as ice continues bringing down trees and power lines.” He added: “Ice damage can continue long after the storm has passed. Even when skies clear, ice can make falling tree branches 30 times heavier and much more likely to break power lines and poles.” Canavan also noted: “We have crews positioned throughout the region; some are already restoring power while others remain on standby until conditions allow.” He continued: “Once it is safe, many of our workers will assess damage and restore power simultaneously rather than sequentially, so customers will see further progress as soon as crews can safely reach affected areas.”
Duke Energy serves about 4.7 million electric customers in North Carolina (3.8 million) and South Carolina (nearly 860,000). As of Sunday afternoon’s update, there were 14,802 customers without power in North Carolina and 3,214 in South Carolina.
The company’s workforce responding to Winter Storm Fern includes over 18,000 lineworkers, vegetation specialists, damage assessors, and support staff. Crews are following a staged restoration process that prioritizes safety for both workers and communities. Repairs typically begin with transmission lines and substations before moving to main distribution lines and then smaller neighborhood or individual sites. Emergency facilities and critical infrastructure receive priority throughout restoration efforts.
Duke Energy is using self-healing technology that allows remote rerouting of electricity around damaged equipment. In areas where road conditions remain unsafe for travel, crews will be deployed as soon as they can safely access damaged infrastructure. Additional out-of-state teams may arrive by Tuesday if needed.
Customers are advised to stay away from downed or sagging power lines at all times and use generators according to manufacturer instructions. The absence of utility trucks in a neighborhood does not mean repairs are not underway; crews may be working upstream on substations or transmission lines that must be restored first.
The company is prepared to use helicopters, drones, tracked vehicles, and trucks with chained tires for damage assessment and repairs.
Duke Energy recommends energy-saving measures for those who still have electricity during this period of cold weather. Customers are encouraged to set thermostats as low as comfortable—each degree lower saves money—and keep air filters clean for better airflow efficiency. Opening blinds during sunny days can help heat homes naturally; closing them at night retains warmth. Running ceiling fans clockwise helps push warm air downward for increased comfort.
Motorists are reminded that North Carolina’s and South Carolina’s “move over” laws require drivers to move aside or slow down significantly when approaching emergency vehicles with flashing lights. Customers should avoid approaching utility workers or entering their work zones while debris is being cleared or repairs are underway.
