Duke Energy reports over 18,000 outages in Carolinas, with more expected as ice threatens trees and power lines
Rhea-AI Summary
Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK) reported widespread outages across the Carolinas as Winter Storm Fern delivers freezing rain and sleet, causing trees, limbs and power lines to fall. As of 4 p.m. on Jan. 25, the company has restored 24,864 customers and 18,016 remain without power, with outage counts expected to rise as ice accumulates. Crews and more than 18,000 storm personnel are staged across the region; additional out-of-state crews are on call to arrive Tuesday if needed. Duke warns outages could last several days and will issue estimated restoration times after damage assessments.
Positive
- 24,864 customers restored as of 4 p.m. Jan 25
- More than 18,000 storm workforce positioned across the region
- Additional out-of-state crews on call to arrive Tuesday if needed
Negative
- 18,016 customers without power as of 4 p.m. Jan 25
- Company expects outage counts to increase through Sunday evening
- Duke warns outages could last several days pending damage assessments
News Market Reaction – DUK
On the day this news was published, DUK gained 1.15%, reflecting a mild positive market reaction.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
DUK was down 0.24% with several regulated electric peers also slightly lower: SO -0.26%, AEP -0.25%, D -0.27%, EXC -0.41%, while NGG gained 1.0%, suggesting mixed but mildly negative sector tone.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 22 | Storm preparation update | Neutral | -1.4% | Company warned Carolinas customers about potential multiday outages from Winter Storm Fern. |
| Jan 16 | Customer savings tips | Neutral | +0.3% | Piedmont Natural Gas shared efficiency tips and tools to manage higher winter heating bills. |
| Jan 16 | Energy programs promo | Neutral | +0.3% | Duke Energy promoted smart‑thermostat credits and demand response programs to lower bills. |
| Jan 15 | Peer activist agreement | Neutral | +0.3% | Matthews International announced a settlement with activist Barington Capital on governance matters. |
| Jan 14 | Storm charge removal | Neutral | +0.2% | Duke Energy Florida said its storm cost recovery charge will drop from bills one month early. |
Recent Duke Energy headlines have focused on storms, customer support, and rate-related items, with relatively modest single-day price reactions.
Over the past weeks, Duke Energy’s news flow has centered on customer support and regulatory developments. On Jan 22, guidance about preparing for Winter Storm Fern coincided with a -1.39% move. Earlier, on Jan 16, customer energy‑saving programs and Piedmont tips each saw around 0.27% gains, while a Florida storm cost recovery update on Jan 14 was followed by a 0.19% rise. Today’s outage report continues the storm‑related operational theme highlighted on Jan 22.
Regulatory & Risk Context
An effective Form S-3ASR dated 2025-09-30 registers up to $4,000,000,000 of PremierNotes, with a maximum net aggregate principal amount outstanding of $2,000,000,000. The notes are unsecured, floating-rate demand instruments and have already seen usage via a 424B3 filing on 2025-12-22 updating interest tiers.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement details Winter Storm Fern’s impact, with 18,016 Carolinas customers without power and 24,864 restored as of 4 p.m. on Jan 25. It highlights a workforce of more than 18,000 and use of self-healing grid technology. In context of earlier Fern preparations on Jan 22, investors may track updated outage counts, restoration timelines, and any later disclosures on storm-related costs or regulatory recovery mechanisms.
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
Editor's note: Visit the Duke Energy News Center for downloadable B-roll and high-resolution images.
- Low temperatures mean ice-covered limbs and power lines could fall even after precipitation ends, meaning additional scattered outages are possible over the coming days.
- Duke Energy offers ways for customers with power to save energy as frigid temperatures continue throughout the week.
The latest
- Duke Energy has restored power to 24,864 Carolinas customers as of 4 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 25.
- Lineworkers continue to assess damage and restore power as conditions allow. The company has also used self-healing technology to remotely reroute power around damaged equipment.
- In areas where road conditions remain too hazardous for travel, Duke Energy will deploy lineworkers, damage assessors and tree trimmers as soon as they can safely reach the damaged infrastructure.
- 18,016 customers are without power as of 4 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 25.
- Based on revised weather forecasts, Duke Energy expects the number of customer outages to increase steadily through Sunday evening.
- Duke Energy reiterates that outages could last several days.
- The company will issue estimated restoration times as it completes its damage assessments.
The numbers
The following outage figures are as of 4 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 25. Outages continue to rise as ice accumulates in the hardest‑hit counties. Refer to the Duke Energy Outage Map for up-to-date figures broken out by county.
OUTAGES RESTORED | CUSTOMERS WITHOUT POWER | |
23,258 | 14,802 | |
1,606 | 3,214 | |
TOTAL | 24,864 | 18,016 |
Duke Energy serves about 4.7 million electric customers in the Carolinas – about 3.8 million in
Our view
Rick Canavan, Duke Energy storm director:
- "Winter Storm Fern is still creating dangerous conditions across the Carolinas, and we expect outage numbers to rise as ice keeps bringing down trees and power lines."
- "Ice damage can continue long after the storm itself passes. Even as skies clear, ice can make falling tree branches 30 times heavier and much more likely to break power lines and poles."
- "We have crews positioned across the region – some are already restoring power, while others remain ready to move in as soon as conditions allow."
- "Once it's safe, many of our workers will assess damage and restore power in tandem – not in sequence – so customers will see additional progress as soon as crews can reach areas safely."
What customers should know
- First and foremost: Always stay away from downed and sagging power lines; use generators safely and according to the manufacturer's instructions.
- Duke Energy's Winter Storm Fern workforce includes more than 18,000 lineworkers, vegetation specialists, damage assessors and storm support staff.
- They restore power following a safe, staged approach that prevents equipment damage and protects themselves, customers and communities.
- Technicians typically repair the largest outages first – starting with transmission lines, substations and main distribution lines – before moving to smaller neighborhood lines and individual locations.
- The company prioritizes emergency facilities and critical infrastructure throughout the process.
- The absence of utility trucks in a neighborhood does not mean crews are idle.
- Workers may be repairing damage at substations, transmission lines or other upstream locations that must be restored first before local lines can be energized.
- Duke Energy is prepared to use helicopters, drones, tracked equipment and trucks with chained tires to assess damage and make repairs.
- If needed, additional out‑of‑state crews are on call to arrive on Tuesday to support Duke Energy's restoration efforts.
What customers can do
- Stay out of the way: "Move over" laws in
North Carolina andSouth Carolina require all drivers to move over or slow down considerably for emergency service vehicles with flashing lights.- Avoid approaching utility workers in the field or entering their work zones as they clear debris and restore power.
- Save energy and money: Customers with power will likely see their energy usage increase over the next seven days due to colder-than-normal temperatures. Many low- and no-cost tips can help customers save:
- Set your thermostat to the lowest comfortable setting. Every degree lower means more money in your pocket without sacrificing comfort.
- Check air filters to ensure they're clean in order to improve airflow and system performance and reduce energy consumption.
- Open blinds and curtains on sunny days to naturally warm your space, and then close them at night to keep the heat in.
- Operate ceiling fans clockwise in winter to push warm air down for greater comfort.
More information
- X: @DukeEnergy, @DukeEnergyNC and @DukeEnergySC
- Facebook: facebook.com/DukeEnergy
- Current outages: duke-energy.com/OutageMap
- Storm tips: duke-energy.com/StormTips
Duke Energy
Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in
Duke Energy is executing an ambitious energy transition, keeping customer reliability and value at the forefront as it builds a smarter energy future. The company is investing in major electric grid upgrades and cleaner generation, including natural gas, nuclear, renewables and energy storage.
More information is available at duke-energy.com and the Duke Energy News Center. Follow Duke Energy on X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook, and visit illumination for stories about the people and innovations powering our energy transition.
24-Hour: 800.559.3853
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SOURCE Duke Energy
FAQ
How many Duke Energy (DUK) customers were without power on Jan. 25, 2026?
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