Duke Energy(US:DUK) Prnewswireยท2024-09-28 18:02Core Points - Duke Energy is actively working to restore power to customers affected by severe flooding caused by Hurricane Helene, with 723,000 customers already restored as of September 28, 2024 [2][4] - Approximately 1.1 million customers remain without power, primarily in the western regions of North Carolina and South Carolina [5][4] - The company is utilizing helicopters and drones to assess damage in hard-hit areas and is collaborating with local and state officials to improve access for restoration efforts [3][6] Power Restoration Efforts - Duke Energy has mobilized 13,000 lineworkers and support personnel, including contractors from 19 U.S. states and Canada, to assist in restoration efforts [10] - The power restoration process prioritizes public safety, transmission lines, essential facilities, and then distribution lines to restore power to the maximum number of customers as quickly as possible [8] - Estimated restoration times are continuously updated on Duke Energy's Outage Maps tool, and customers can enroll in Outage Alerts for real-time updates [7] Flooding and Infrastructure - Historic rainfall from Hurricane Helene has led to record-high lake levels and significant flooding, impacting the company's infrastructure [15] - Duke Energy is managing its lakes as an integrated system and continues to move water through its river basins to mitigate flooding [15] - The company advises residents in low-lying areas to exercise caution and stay informed about emergency notifications [16] Company Overview - Duke Energy is one of America's largest energy holding companies, serving 8.4 million customers across multiple states, including North Carolina and South Carolina [17] - The company is committed to a clean energy transition, aiming for net-zero methane emissions by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, while investing in grid upgrades and cleaner energy sources [18]