There are plenty of very nice women named “Nicole,” but Duke Energy is reminding everyone in Guilford County that the storm Nicole is a completely different matter.

On Friday, Nov. 11, the storm is expected to bring some strong winds and heavy rains to the county as it passes through North Carolina.

Those conditions could mean down powerlines and Duke Energy wants everyone to remain on guard until the storm passes.

“As Nicole travels northward from Florida, we are prepared – and we encourage you to do the same,” a Thursday, Nov. 10 press release from the company noted – adding that the storm is expected to bring wind and rain throughout the day.

“Even if Nicole weakens as it moves north, this large storm has the potential to bring down trees and power lines all along its path through our states,” Duke Energy warned.

According to the press release, about 6,000 lineworkers are ready and will repair damage and restore power as quickly as they can.  As many Duke Energy customers can attest, those repairs may take a while and the wait can be annoying.

But the company provided some tips for you to prepare and endure  …

  • Always assume that any downed line is a live wire and stay away from it.
  • Remember that power lines can be hidden by debris and may have fallen across standing water – so, especially in flooded areas, use extreme caution. Electric current passes easily through water, making those areas especially hazardous.
  • If you experience a power outage, you can report it on Duke Energy’s website or using the mobile app if you have it on your phone or tablet. (You can also text OUT to 57801 or call 800-POWER-ON (800-769-3766).
  • Remain constantly informed until the threat passes. Make sure you’re signed up to receive outage alerts and you can also bookmark Duke Energy’s outage map to stay updated on estimated power restoration times.

You can get the latest information regarding Duke Energy’s storm response on the company’s website and can google “Duke Energy’s Storm Center” for other tips on how to stay safe before, during and after severe storms.

 

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