From Duke Energy
As summer storm season approaches, preparing for severe weather never stops for Duke Energy or its customers.
“A critical part of being safe in severe weather is being prepared,” said Jim Henning, president, Duke Energy Ohio and Kentucky. “We have regular storm planning throughout the year with all of our crews, and we want our customers to be prepared as well so they can react quickly during a storm.”
The company has been focused on maintaining and strengthening its power delivery system, including inspecting and replacing poles and trimming vegetation and trees. The company is also investing in advanced technologies that transform the energy grid into a dynamic system with the ability to automatically detect, isolate and reroute power when a problem occurs. Approximately 80 percent of customers are benefitting from smart grid technology in southwest Ohio and northern Kentucky. Self-healing systems help reroute customers during outages so interruptions are avoided or limited. In 2016, 119,500 outages were prevented and over 20 million customer minutes of interruption were saved.
In 2016, Duke Energy Ohio and Kentucky hosted more than 46 live line and downed power line demonstrations, reaching over 1,400 emergency first-responders and customers across the service territory.
Duke Energy and its staff of meteorologists are constantly monitoring weather conditions, preparing to do whatever is necessary to maintain a high level of reliability and to react quickly when the power goes out.
Outage Alerts
Customers can proactively sign up to receive alerts and be notified by text or phone when they have an outage. This program also allows customers to receive additional information such as the cause of the outage, an estimated time of restoration, and the number of customers affected. Outage alerts provide customers with real-time data so they can plan accordingly. For more information visitwww.duke-energy.com/outages, or text REG to 57801 to register.
Safety Tips
The following tips can help you and your family stay safe if severe weather strikes and the power goes out:
§ Create (or update) an emergency supply kit to save valuable time later. The kit should include everything an individual or family would need for at least two weeks, especially medicines and other supplies that might be hard to find after a storm strikes.
§ Maintain a supply of water and non-perishable food.
§ Ensure first-aid supplies and medicines are readily available. If electricity is needed to operate medical equipment, contact Duke Energy’s Customer Care Center at 800.544.6900, in advance of a storm to learn what to do in the event of a power outage or emergency.
§ Review insurance policies, and include extra copies of the policies and other important documents in the emergency supply kit (ideally in a waterproof container).
§ Keep a portable radio or TV, or NOAA weather radio on hand to monitor weather forecasts and official information.
§ Maintain a plan to move family members – especially those with special needs – to a safe, alternate location in case an extended power outage occurs.
For additional safety tips and more information on what to do before, during and after a storm, visit www.duke-energy.com
Outage reporting and status updates
At any time, customers can report power outages by:
§ Visiting www.duke-energy.com on a desktop computer or mobile device
§ Texting OUT to 57801 (Standard text and data charges may apply)
§ Calling the automated outage-reporting system at 800.543.5599
Duke Energy Ohio/Kentucky’s operations provide electric service to about 850,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in a 3,000-square-mile service area and natural gas service to approximately 529,000 customers.
