News

Nearly 10,000 in county have no power

By Lightning Reports, Published: September 26, 2024

Nearly 10,000 Duke Energy customers in Henderson County were without power on Thursday afternoon as two days of rain continued to cause flash flooding.

Duke Energy's website showed 9,973 power outages, mostly along Four Seasons Boulevard near I-26, in Edneyville, Fruitland and Dana. That amounts to roughly 15 percent of the total customer base in the county, and comes many hours before Hurricane Helene is expected to rake the mountains with wind gusts up to 60 mph.

Duke said earlier it is finalizing preparations for Helene in the Carolinas. This includes strategically staging more than 10,000 lineworkers, tree trimmers and other storm support personnel. The company is also asking customers to ready themselves for severe rain and tropical-storm-force gusts, which could lead to power outages.

“Our workers will be ready to begin assessing damage and restoring power as soon as the storm passes and conditions are safe,” said Jason Hollifield, Duke Energy’s storm director in the Carolinas. “In the meantime, we continue to monitor weather conditions and encourage customers to have a plan in place in case they experience an outage.”

In addition, Duke Energy recommends customers review these preparedness tips:

• Create or update an emergency supply kit that includes everything an individual or family would need – especially medicines, water, nonperishable foods and other supplies that might be hard to find after a storm hits.
• Keep a portable radio or TV or a NOAA weather radio on hand to monitor weather forecasts and vital information from state and local officials.
• Charge cellphones, computers and other electronic devices in advance of storms to stay connected to important safety and response information. Consider purchasing and charging portable battery chargers.
• Maintain a plan to move family members – especially those with special needs – to safe, alternative locations in case extended power outages occur or evacuation is required.
• Pet owners should arrange to stay at evacuation shelters that accept pets, friends’ or family members’ homes or pet-friendly hotels.
• Everyone should always stay away from power lines that have fallen or are sagging – and consider all lines energized, as well as trees, limbs, fences or anything in contact with lines. Downed lines are hard to see in the rain and standing water. Anyone who encounters large pools of standing water should stop, back up and choose another path.

NOTE: As Helene churns toward the N.C. mountains, the Lightning will report event cancellations, closings, road conditions and other news. Storm coverage remains in front of the website paywall, available to all.