CINCINNATI, OHIO - Duke Energy is bracing for a possible ice and snowstorm that is forecast to hit the Midwest today.
Duke Energy's team of meteorologists continues to monitor the system. Line technicians, service crews and other personnel are available throughout the companys service areas and are ready to respond to outages and emergencies, if they occur.
Duke Energy urges customers to be prepared:
- Check your supply of flashlights, batteries, bottled water, non-perishable foods, medicines, etc.
- Ensure a portable, battery-operated radio, TV or NOAA weather radio is on hand.
- Do not attempt to heat your home with a gas grill or by bringing a generator inside. Only operate such equipment outdoors in well-ventilated areas. Follow manufacturer instructions.
- Check on family members, friends and neighbors who have special medical needs or who are elderly to ensure they have necessary emergency supplies. Encourage them to determine now what action they would take in the event of an extended power outage.
Customers who experience an outage should call Duke Energy's automated outage-reporting system:
- Duke Energy Ohio/Kentucky: 1-800-543-5599
- Duke Energy Indiana: 1-800-343-3525
Customers may also report an outage or view current outages online at www.duke-energy.com/storms
Safety
Stay away from power lines that have fallen or are sagging. Consider all lines energized as well as trees or limbs in contact with lines. Please report downed power lines to Duke Energy and your local police department. If a power line falls across a car you're in, stay in the car. If you MUST get out of the car due to a fire or other immediate life-threatening situation, do your best to jump clear of the car and land on both feet. Be sure that no part of your body is touching the car when your feet touch the ground.
Restoring power
Restoring power after an ice storm can be challenging as travel conditions are poor. Before power can be restored, crews first assess damage and determine what crews, equipment and supplies will be needed to make repairs. Because of this, customers may see damage assessors patrolling their neighborhoods before crews arrive to begin work.
Crews prioritize work to ensure the largest number of customers is restored as quickly as possible. Essential services such as hospitals and emergency responders have priority.
Duke Energy Ohio and Kentucky's operations provide electric service to approximately 830,000 customers and natural gas service to approximately 500,000 customers.
Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Duke Energy is a Fortune 250 company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DUK. More information about the company is available at: www.duke-energy.com.