CHARLOTTE, N.C. — When the Carolinas are hit with high winds and heavy rain, power outages are usually a main concern for our area.
So how does Duke Energy determine who gets their power turned back on first?
OUR SOURCE
WHAT WE FOUND
Duke Energy said public safety is its No. 1 priority.
That’s why they said its first step is locating downed power lines and ensuring electricity is no longer flowing through the wires. Crews will also prioritize restoring power to emergency services like hospitals, fire departments and police departments.
Then it will work on restoring the main distribution lines, also known as the primary lines that deliver electricity to large subdivisions and commercial areas.
Duke Energy’s final step is then restoring power to the largest number of customers as quickly as possible.
But what if your neighbor’s power is on but yours is not?
Duke Energy said there can be several explanations for this:
- Not all circuits are restored at the same time. So different parts of your neighborhood may be served by different circuits.
- A restored customer’s service comes directly from a primary line, which is restored first, while your service may be served off a secondary line.
- There may also be a problem with your individual service line or your meter.
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