How Duke Energy outages are evolving as Winter Storm Fern ices the Carolinas on January 25, 2026

Outages rise as ice builds and temperatures stay below freezing

Duke Energy customers across North Carolina and South Carolina faced growing power interruptions Sunday, January 25, as Winter Storm Fern delivered sleet and freezing rain capable of weighing down trees and power lines. The utility warned that outages could increase through Sunday evening as ice accumulation continued and that some customers could remain without service for several days.

By 4 p.m. Sunday, Duke Energy reported 18,016 customers without power across the Carolinas. The company said it had restored service to 24,864 customers by that same time. In North Carolina, 14,802 customers were without power; in South Carolina, 3,214 were without service.

Why restoration could be slower than a typical winter event

Utility crews often cannot begin full repairs until winds, ice conditions and road access allow safe work. Duke Energy said conditions in some areas were still too hazardous for travel and that crews would be deployed as soon as they could safely reach damaged equipment. The company also noted that low temperatures can keep ice on limbs and lines after precipitation ends, increasing the likelihood of additional outages even once the storm’s heaviest precipitation moves out.

State officials also emphasized that the risk was not limited to the hours when precipitation was falling. In a statewide update Sunday, North Carolina leaders warned that freezing rain and bitter cold would continue to create dangerous road conditions and contribute to power disruptions. An Emergency Declaration for North Carolina was approved Saturday, January 24, unlocking federal resources for emergency protective actions.

What the outage numbers show — and what they do not

Outage totals typically shift throughout a storm as new failures occur and restorations come online. Duke Energy said it would issue estimated restoration times after completing damage assessments, a process that can take longer when ice makes travel and field inspections difficult.

Key caution for residents: ice-related damage can continue after precipitation ends when frozen limbs and lines begin to fall.

How customers can track and report outages

• Use Duke Energy’s outage map to monitor systemwide outages and county-level impacts.
• Report an outage by texting OUT to 57801, using the Duke Energy mobile app, or calling 800-POWERON (800-769-3766).

What to expect next

Duke Energy said outage counts were expected to rise steadily through Sunday evening based on revised weather forecasts. With continued cold expected, officials urged residents to prepare for the possibility of prolonged outages, particularly in areas where icing is heaviest and where access for repairs remains limited.