Storm Central - Duke Energy - Nantahala Area
Duke Energy
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Storm Tips

The following tips are designed to help you safely endure the severe weather that we tend to experience in the Southeast.

Before an Outage Occurs
During a Power Outage
After a Power Outage
Other Important Safety Information

Before an Outage Occurs:

  • Have a portable radio, TV, or NOAA weather radio on hand.
  • Make sure flashlights are readily available and working.
  • Make sure flashlight and radio batteries are fresh.
  • Make sure you have an adequate supply of medicine, first aid supplies and baby items.
  • Homeowners with wells should draw an emergency water supply in case power to their electric water pumps is interrupted.
  • Keep a supply of bottled water, non-perishable food items, batteries and firewood on hand.
  • If you have an emergency heating source, learn how to use it properly to prevent fire and ensure proper ventilation.

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During a Power Outage:

  • To quickly report your power outage, call your local Duke Energy - Nantahala Area office.
  • Consider moving yourself and your family - especially those with special needs - to an alternate location during an extended outage.
  • Always follow the home generator manufacturer's instructions to ensure safe and proper operation.
  • Don't open freezers and refrigerators any more than absolutely necessary.
  • Listen to local radio stations for status reports from Duke Energy about affected areas and restoration activities.
  • Be sure to turn off your heating and air conditioning systems and consider unplugging sensitive electronic appliances such as TVs, VCRs, microwave ovens and home computers, etc., during a power outage. This will protect your appliances against unpreventable voltage fluctuations that may occur as a result of a circuit overload when the power is restored. Be sure to wait 5 to 10 minutes before turning on appliances and heating systems when power is restored.
  • Don't leave electric ranges on during a power outage. This may prevent possible damage from a fire to your home in case you are away when the power is restored.

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After a Power Outage:

  • Replenish your supplies of batteries, bottled water, non- perishable food items and firewood in preparation for future storms.
  • Have a licensed electrician disconnect your generator unless the generator has an automatic disconnection device.

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Other Important Safety Information:

  • Stay away from downed or sagging power lines, and do not touch anything that is on or near a power line (i.e. trees or tree limbs, cars, ladders).
  • Keep children and family pets away from areas where lines may have fallen (backyards, fields, school yards, etc.).
  • If a power line falls across a car that 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.
  • Report all power line hazards to Duke Energy and your local 911 office.