CHARLOTTE, N.C., Jan. 21, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Duke Energy is beefing up its presence in the Carolinas with an additional 1,400 storm responders headed to the region.

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The workers, mainly from the company's Florida operations and neighboring utilities in that state, expect to be needed as a winter storm is forecasted to bring snow, sleet and freezing rain to North Carolina and South Carolina as well as the Eastern United States. The company already has 3,200 line workers in the Carolinas.

Weather forecasts indicate the potential for significant ice and snow accumulations, which can bring down trees and power lines, causing power outages.

The company will deploy crews as outages occur. It will continue to work to secure additional resources with neighboring utilities, many of whom are watching and preparing for the same winter storm.

The company expects widespread outages and urges customers to:


    --  Check supplies 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 heat homes with a gas grill or bring a generator inside. Such
        equipment should be operated only outdoors, and only in well-ventilated
        areas. Manufacturer instructions should be followed.
    --  Check on family members, friends and neighbors who have special medical
        needs or who are elderly, to ensure they have necessary emergency
        supplies.
    --  Determine now what action they would take in the event of an extended
        power outage.

Staying connected
 Customers who experience an outage during the storm have choices on how to report it:


    --  Call the automated outage-reporting system at 1-800-POWERON
        (1-800-769-3766).
    --  Report an outage or view current outages online at
        www.duke-energy.com/storm.
    --  Text OUT to 57801 (standard text and data charges may apply)

Duke Energy also will provide updates on its social media channels to keep customers informed if significant outages occur.


    --  Duke Energy on Twitter: www.twitter.com/DukeEnergy
    --  Duke Energy on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DukeEnergy

Safety
Stay away from power lines that have fallen or are sagging. Consider all power lines energized, as well as trees or limbs in contact with power lines. Please report downed power lines to Duke Energy. 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 no part of your body is touching the car when your feet touch the ground.

Restoring power
Restoring power after a storm can be challenging, as travel conditions are poor. Before power can be restored, crews first assess damage and determine which 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 are restored as quickly as possible. Essential services, such as hospitals and emergency response facilities, are the first priority.

If you lose power, please turn off as many appliances and electronics as possible. This helps with restoration efforts because it reduces the immediate demand on power lines when power is restored.

Once your power is restored, please wait a few minutes before turning your equipment back on.

About Duke Energy
Duke Energy is the largest electric power holding company in the United States. Its regulated utility operations serve approximately 7.3 million electric customers located in six states in the Southeast and Midwest, representing a population of approximately 23 million people. It's Commercial Portfolio and International business segments own and operate diverse power generation assets in North America and Latin America, including a growing portfolio of renewable energy assets in the United States.

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 duke-energy.com. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.

24-Hour: 800.559.3853

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SOURCE Duke Energy