News Summary
In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Duke Energy has mobilized over 21,000 workers to restore power to affected regions in North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina. The storm has caused extensive damage to electrical infrastructure, initially leaving over 51,000 customers without power. Restoration efforts are focused on public health and safety facilities, with a commitment to address flooding conditions that complicate recovery. Duke Energy is also managing rising water levels and reinforcing its sustainability goals amid ongoing power restoration efforts.
North Carolina – More than 21,000 workers from Duke Energy are mobilized to restore power in western North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina following extensive damage caused by Hurricane Helene. The storm, which made landfall earlier this week, has severely impacted the electric systems in the region, leaving many residents without power.
Initial assessments reveal that Hurricane Helene has damaged critical infrastructure including transmission towers, substations, utility poles, power lines, and various major equipment necessary for power distribution. At its peak on Sunday morning, over 51,000 customers in the Carolinas were reported to be experiencing power outages, predominantly affecting counties including Buncombe, Haywood, Jackson, Macon, Transylvania, and McDowell.
Efforts to restore power are underway, with Duke Energy’s workforce consisting of over 11,000 storm workers, which includes not just Duke Energy employees but also contractors based in the Carolinas and personnel from 19 U.S. states and Canada. These teams are focusing on assessing the extent of the damage, which can take 24 hours or more. Restoration priorities include public health and safety facilities, where power is restored first before addressing larger groups of customers.
As of the latest reports, specific areas are gradually seeing power restoration. In Buncombe County, fewer than 100 customers are currently without power with an estimated restoration target at 4 a.m. on Sunday. Henderson County has 222 customers without electricity, and restoration is expected by midnight. Additionally, Yancey County had 127 outages reported as late as 11:30 p.m. Saturday.
Heavy rainfall from Hurricane Helene has also led to dangerous flooding conditions, which have complicated restoration efforts by destroying roads and bridges. In collaboration with the North Carolina Department of Transportation, Duke Energy is ensuring that road access to damaged areas is systematically maintained for power restoration efforts.
Duke Energy has been monitoring Hurricane Helene since its early stages, proactively staging equipment and resources to expedite the restoration process. Customers are advised to report any ongoing outages through Duke Energy’s mobile app, website, or by calling 800.POWERON (800.769.3766).
Additionally, the Catawba-Wateree River Basin is facing rapid increases in water levels due to persistent rainfall, presenting further risk of flooding in surrounding communities. Duke Energy is actively managing lake levels by balancing inflows and operating gates to avert flooding hazards. Residents in these areas are urged to remain vigilant and informed as water levels rise.
Beyond immediate restoration efforts, Duke Energy is also reinforcing its commitment to sustainability and has set goals for cleaning energy transitions. The company aims to achieve net-zero methane emissions by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Duke Energy currently serves approximately 8.4 million customers and manages an extensive energy capacity that spans multiple states.
As restoration efforts continue, Duke Energy is focusing on quick and safe restoration while ensuring that essential services are prioritized. The situation will remain dynamic as teams work around the clock to restore power, assess secondary impacts from the storm, and manage ongoing weather conditions.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- WLOS News
- Wikipedia: Power Outage
- Fox Carolina
- Google Search: Duke Energy outages
- Duke Energy News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Power Distribution
- WBTV News
- Google News: North Carolina power restoration
Author: STAFF HERE ROCK HILL
The ROCK HILL STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERERockHill.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Rock Hill, York County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Come-See-Me Festival, Rock Hill Arts Festival, and motorsport events at the Rock Hill Velodrome. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Rock Hill Chamber of Commerce and the Culture & Heritage Museums, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and technology that power the local economy such as 3D Systems and Comporium. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
