Duke Energy

A single-vehicle tractor-trailer crash on Wednesday night caused Concord Road to be closed between Main Street and Lorimer Road until approximately 9 a.m. Thursday. The incident also resulted in power outages throughout Davidson, which Duke Energy is working to restore.

John Daniel Ratcliffe, a 38-year-old man from York, died after drowning in the Broad River near Blacksburg, South Carolina. The incident was reported near the Duke Energy hydroelectric dam on Ninety-Nine Island Road and Ratcliffe was pronounced dead at the scene.

Duke Energy Corp. plans to raise approximately $1.75 billion by selling equity units. This fundraising initiative is an effort aimed at helping the company pay down debt.

A severe thunderstorm warning was issued on Sunday, Aug. 9, for several counties in the Charlotte region, including Avery, Burke, Cabarrus, Caldwell, and Rowan Counties. The developing storms were warned to potentially bring strong winds up to 60 mph and small hail. Safety tips emphasize that downed power lines should be treated as energized and dangerous, requiring residents to contact Duke Energy if hazards are found.

Numerous thunderstorms and heavy rain are expected in the Carolinas on August 4, 2026, with risks of damaging winds, lightning, and localized flooding. WBTV's First Alert warns of ongoing storm activity, and Duke Energy provides safety guidelines for downed power lines.

A crash in south Charlotte involving a utility pole downed power lines, causing a road closure on Park Road and approximately 2,000 outages. Repairs were expected to finish by 7 a.m., with detour routes provided for drivers.

Weather alerts were issued for the Carolinas on August 2 due to heavy rain and storms, with concerns about flash flooding in Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, and Mecklenburg counties. A slow-moving cold front and high moisture levels fueled prolonged rainfall, and Duke Energy provided safety guidelines for downed power lines.

A slow-moving cold front is causing heavy downpours and isolated flash flooding in the Carolinas on August 2, 2026, with thunderstorms and moisture levels near daily records increasing rainfall risks. Duke Energy advises caution regarding downed power lines, and an interactive radar is available to track storm activity.

Severe thunderstorms with damaging winds, flash flooding, and torrential downpours were possible across the Charlotte region on Saturday and Sunday, August 1, 2026. Active weather alerts for multiple counties, including Iredell, Rowan, Chester, York, Lancaster, Mecklenburg, and Union, were issued until further notice. No expired alerts were reported as of Saturday.

Thunderstorms and heavy rain with potential flash flooding are impacting the Carolinas on Aug. 1, 2026, particularly affecting the foothills and mountains of North Carolina. The National Weather Service issued special weather statements for Mecklenburg, Gaston, and York counties, while Duke Energy provided safety tips for downed power lines.

Richmond County residents are protesting planned data center developments by Amazon and Digital Realty due to concerns over noise and air pollution from diesel generators. The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality is considering permits for the projects, which include 588 backup generators for Amazon and 57 temporary generators from Duke Energy. Local residents fear industrialization will disrupt their rural lifestyle.

A power outage in east Charlotte caused by fallen tree limbs led to a car crash at a traffic light-less intersection, resulting in two people being hospitalized with one suffering life-threatening injuries. Duke Energy reported hundreds of outages, with restoration estimated for 8:15 a.m.

Graham Street in North Charlotte was closed in both directions near Atando Avenue after a tree branch fell on power lines overnight. Duke Energy reported no outages, but barricades blocked traffic, and the reopening timeline remains uncertain.

Over 29,000 Duke Energy customers in the Carolinas lost power following Tuesday's storms, with nearly 7,000 outages reported in Iredell County, particularly around Mooresville, and significant disruptions in Mecklenburg County.

Tree debris blocked traffic on I-77 in Iredell County, Mooresville, causing a significant backup on Tuesday evening amid storms. Over 28,000 Duke Energy customers lost power in the Carolinas, with several thousand outages reported in Asheville and Mooresville.

Over 28,000 Duke Energy customers in the Carolinas lost power due to storms on July 28, 2026, with significant outages reported in Asheville and Mooresville, North Carolina. Severe thunderstorms, damaging winds, and potential tornadoes prompted safety warnings about downed power lines and hazards.

Severe thunderstorms, potentially bringing damaging winds over 60 mph, isolated tornadoes, and large hail, were possible in the Carolinas on Tuesday, July 28. WBTV encouraged residents to submit storm-related media and provided safety tips from Duke Energy regarding downed power lines.

Severe thunderstorms with potential hazards like damaging winds over 60 mph, isolated tornadoes, and large hail were expected in the Carolinas on July 28, 2026, particularly affecting the Charlotte region during afternoon and evening hours. Safety tips from Duke Energy were provided for handling downed power lines, and residents were encouraged to share storm-related photos and videos.

Duke Energy's power grid upgrades in Charlotte's South End caused outages and revenue losses for a dozen small businesses. A Duke Energy spokesperson stated the upgrades aim to strengthen the electrical grid.

Duke Energy has pledged not to increase customer rates to cover data center costs and joined a federal initiative to protect ratepayers. North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson argues the commitment is insufficient and urges Duke Energy to implement new rate structures.

President Donald Trump announced a voluntary pledge with governors and companies to prevent higher utility bills from data centers, despite analysts warning bills could rise 40%. The pledge, signed by 23 governors and 187 companies, aims to address electricity demand from AI-driven data centers, though skepticism remains about its effectiveness.

Michael Whatley and Roy Cooper made opposing visits to Gaston County to discuss affordability issues in North Carolina’s Senate race. Whatley praised Trump’s energy policies and criticized Cooper for accepting healthcare industry donations, while Cooper accused Whatley of prioritizing corporate interests and supporting Medicaid cuts. They also disagreed on Iran’s nuclear threat and a COVID-19 prisoner release settlement.

North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein and Attorney General Jeff Jackson urged state regulators to enforce Duke Energy's commitment to the Trump administration’s Ratepayer Protection Pledge, which aims to prevent data centers from shifting costs to consumers. Duke Energy seeks to merge its Carolinas and Progress subsidiaries, while the pledge requires large energy users to cover their own infrastructure costs. State leaders want the utility to formalize the agreement in writing for enforceability.

UNC Charlotte received a $15 million NSF grant to establish the Carolinas Grid Engine, aiming to develop and implement electric grid technologies. The initiative addresses power demand, reliability, and aging infrastructure, partnering with Duke Energy and Siemens.

Power outages are possible in the Charlotte region due to heavy rains and thunderstorms expected from Wednesday night through Thursday evening. Multiple power companies in North and South Carolina have provided outage tracking resources and emergency contact numbers. Authorities warn to avoid downed power lines and report hazards.

The Carolinas experienced storms and heavy rainfall from Wednesday to Thursday, with risks of strong winds, flooding, and disruptions to the Thursday morning commute. Residents were encouraged to submit photos or videos of storm impacts to a QCit album for potential TV or online features.

Heavy rain and storms are expected in the Carolinas on July 22-23, 2026, leading to localized and flash flooding risks, particularly in North Carolina and the Charlotte region. Thunderstorms with damaging winds and excessive rainfall could impact Thursday's morning commute, with some areas facing moderate flood risks.

A power outage caused by fallen tree limbs damaged Duke Energy equipment, shutting down the Eastway Drive and Central Avenue intersection in east Charlotte. Over 457 outages remain, with power restoration expected by noon. Traffic was limited to right turns, and officers assisted during the morning commute.

Utility companies and data center developers in the US have signed a pledge under President Donald Trump to protect consumers from rising electricity bills linked to AI's energy demands. Nearly 200 organizations, including NextEra Energy, Duke Energy, Equinix, and Digital Realty, joined the 'rate payer protection pledge' introduced in March.

Officials from the North Carolina Wildlife Federation and Duke Energy installed 48 FishHouse ExoForm reef structures at Lake Norman to support fish populations and expand aquatic habitats.

Dozens of 3D-printed fish houses were installed in Lake Norman to enhance aquatic habitats and support fish populations. The project, a collaboration between wildlife groups and Duke Energy, addresses the lake’s lack of natural woody habitat and aims to improve conditions for both aquatic life and anglers.

North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson rejected Duke Energy's proposed 9.5% residential rate increase over two years, arguing it still overcharges consumers. Governor Josh Stein also criticized the settlement, urging data centers to cover their electricity costs. Duke Energy claims the increase is necessary for infrastructure investments, but the deal requires approval from the North Carolina Utilities Commission.

Duke Energy has reduced its proposed rate increase for residential customers by more than half. The original proposal called for an 18% cost increase.

A popular beach in Gaston County, South Point Access, was closed due to high E. Coli levels in the water, impacting families and boaters. County officials cited safety concerns, but the beach was set to reopen after test results showed acceptable E. Coli levels. Residents expressed disappointment, particularly over the impact on children near the end of summer.

UNC Charlotte has been selected to lead a National Science Foundation (NSF) Engines grant to modernize the U.S. power grid, with up to $160 million in funding over the next decade. The grant aims to address grid strain, surging energy demand from AI, and security concerns, leveraging the region's energy research expertise and industry partners like Duke Energy and Siemens.

A roadway in Myers Park, Charlotte, was closed due to a downed utility pole. Providence Road at Portland Avenue between Colville and Cherokee Roads was blocked, causing traffic disruptions. No crashes or power outages were reported, and drivers were advised to use Randolph Road as an alternate route.

Western North Carolina communities, including Burnsville, are implementing solar-powered microgrid projects to enhance energy resilience after Hurricane Helene caused widespread power outages. The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, in partnership with nonprofits, is funding 26 microgrid projects with $5 million, including stationary and mobile systems to support critical infrastructure.

The Carolinas experienced severe storms and flooding over the weekend, causing power outages and damage in the Charlotte region, including a confirmed tornado in Cleveland County. WBTV and Duke Energy provided weather alerts and safety guidance for residents.

Showers and thunderstorms affected the Charlotte region on July 13, 2026, with a flood watch in effect due to excessive rainfall. Interactive radar tracked the storms, and severe weather risks were expected to subside by Tuesday. An EF-1 tornado was confirmed in North Carolina’s Cleveland County earlier in the week.

Severe thunderstorms with damaging winds, hail, and flash flooding were possible across the Carolinas, including the Charlotte region, on July 12-13, 2026. An EF-1 tornado had previously touched down in Cleveland County, and Duke Energy reported limited power outages during earlier storms.