Nearly 30,000 Duke Energy customers in Charlotte were left in the dark on Sunday, as a sweeping power outage cut electricity to large parts of the city while crews scrambled to restore service.
According to WCNC, Duke Energy's live outage tracker showed the number of affected customers climbing toward 30,000, with the greater University area listed as one of the hardest-hit parts of town.
What the outage map shows
On the live outage map from Duke Energy, customers saw estimated times of restoration posted for many of the outages. Some were flagged with a cause listed as an "object contacting power line," while others showed no cause at all. The map serves as the utility's main public tool for tracking how many customers are out and when power is expected to come back.
Local context and past storms
Recent storms and high winds have already produced several large outages in the region this season, and local outlets have repeatedly steered readers to the utility's tracker during those events. Back in March, the Charlotte Observer noted that the outage map, along with the company's reporting line, remains the go-to resource for customers who want status updates and estimated restoration times when the grid takes a hit.
How to report an outage and stay safe
Customers can report an outage or check on restoration estimates through the online outage map from Duke Energy or by calling 800-769-3766. The company also offers outage alerts through its website. If you see a downed power line or encounter a life-threatening emergency, call 911 immediately and follow standard generator-safety guidance to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning and fire hazards.
