Jan. 21, 2022 - Update from Duke Energy
We’re continuing to monitor icing conditions in the area tonight. We have strategically staged 2,500 response workers – power line technicians, damage assessors and vegetation workers – to begin restoring power as soon as weather conditions safely allow.
Those workers include Duke Energy crews normally based in Florida, Indiana and Ohio who will assist Carolinas-based Duke Energy workers.
Outage alerts
With outage alerts, we'll notify customers by text, voice message or email when there is an outage in the area. We'll send estimated restoration times, any information we have about the cause of the outage and status of the crews working to restore power.
We’d welcome your help encouraging customers to sign up now to get the latest updates if they do experience an outage with this winter weather. Customers can sign up to get phone or email alerts at www.duke-energy.com/outages or can text REG to 57801* to get text alerts.
Reporting power outages
Customers who experience power outages should call Duke Energy's automated outage-reporting system:
Duke Energy Progress: 1-800-419-6356
Customers may also report an outage or view current outages online at www.duke-energy.com/outages or text OUT to 57801
Duke Energy will also provide updates on its social media channels to keep customers informed if significant outages occur:
Duke Energy on Twitter: twitter.com/DukeEnergy
Duke Energy on Facebook: facebook.com/DukeEnergy
Jan. 21, 2022 - WINTER STORM WARNING - Update from the NWS
No significant changes with this briefing. This will be the final briefing from the National Weather Service. We have received reports of very light icing so far today, mainly confined to elevated areas (car tops, decks, etc) across Onslow and Carteret Counties. The radar is rapidly filling in and this trend will continue through this evening, with precipitation increasing in intensity for EVERYBODY. As we get closer to sunset, and into tonight, conditions will rapidly go down hill with the loss of daytime heating.
See PDF Briefing below.
Jan. 21, 2022 - Town Hall Closed on Friday, Jan. 21, 2022 - GFL trash and recycling services are canceled for Friday, Jan. 21. Routes scheduled for pickup on the 21st will be picked up on Friday, Jan. 28.
Jan. 20, 2022 4 p.m. Update from the National Weather Service: (See PDF below for the full update & forecast)
Here are the changes from the previous briefing:
Northern Outer Banks Dare County was upgraded to a Winter Storm Warning
Updated ice forecast - increased totals for portions of the Crystal Coast
Small tweaks to snow forecast
Added timing slides for when rain changes to snow/ice
Minor soundside coastal flooding concerns for southern Hatteras Island, Ocracoke Island, soundside southern Craven County, and soundside Eastern Carteret County
Minor oceanside coastal flooding concerns for northern Outer Banks Dare County.
Confidence is now HIGH that this event will occur and HIGH on expected impacts. Significant ice amounts are forecasted.
The next briefing is scheduled by 8 am Friday morning.
Jan. 20, 2022: Update from Duke Energy Progress:
As Duke Energy's team of meteorologists continue to monitor the next winter storm's development, Duke Energy crews are making preparations to safely handle any winter weather-related service interruptions.
This storm will again feature snow, sleet and freezing rain. Winter storms are challenging to predict because a few miles and a few degrees can make all the difference as to the type of precipitation an area experiences, and whether or not outages occur. Our crews will be prepared in all regions to respond should outages occur.
We held back Duke Energy team members from the Midwest and Florida and some of our contractors from other companies to make sure we’re prepared for this weekend’s potential storm.
As part of our standard process and procedure after every major storm, we do a “sweep” of the hardest hit areas to identify and eliminate any vulnerabilities that may have been created by the storm and not addressed as a part of restoration.
Preparing for a power outage
Weather can be unpredictable, so we’re encouraging customers to be prepared for whatever conditions occur. Prepare for winter weather and outages that may impact them by doing the following:
Ensure an adequate supply of flashlights, batteries, bottled water, non-perishable foods, medicines, etc., as well as the availability of a portable, battery-operated radio, TV or weather radio.
Stay away from power lines that have fallen or are sagging. Consider all lines energized as well as trees or limbs in contact with lines. Please report downed power lines to Duke Energy or local emergency services.
If you use a generator due to a power outage, follow the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure safe and proper operation. Operate your generator outside; never operate it inside a building or garage.
Don’t use grills or other outdoor appliances or equipment indoors for space heating or cooking, as these devices may omit carbon monoxide.
Customers should make alternate shelter arrangements as needed if you will be significantly impacted by a loss of power – especially families who have special medical needs or elderly members.
Reporting power outages
Customers who experience power outages should call Duke Energy's automated outage-reporting system:
Duke Energy Progress: 1-800-419-6356
Customers may also report an outage or view current outages online at www.duke-energy.com/outages or text OUT to 57801
Duke Energy will also provide updates on its social media channels to keep customers informed if significant outages occur:
Duke Energy on Twitter: twitter.com/DukeEnergy
Duke Energy on Facebook: facebook.com/DukeEnergy
Jan. 20, 2022: WINTER STORM WARNING - Full briefing below
On Jan. 20, 2022, the National Weather Service upgraded the area from a winter storm watch to a winter storm warning.
Here are the changes from the previous briefing:
· Winter Storm Watch upgraded to Winter Storm Warning and Ice Storm Warning
· Winter Weather Advisory for Eastern Carteret and Northern Outer Banks
· Snowfall totals remain roughly the same as yesterday
· Western edge of maximum ice amounts adjusted south and east from previous forecast
Confidence remains lower than average regarding snow totals for the northern Outer Banks, which is currently forecasted to receive 1 to 3 inches of snow. A stronger, slower exit of the coastal storm off the NC coast would lead to potentially significantly higher amounts here.
Confidence remains lower than average for forecasted maximum ice amounts (0.25" to 0.50") for areas on the northern and western edge, where more sleet than ice may occur. We are more confident on significant icing for areas furthest south across southern Onslow County, western Carteret county, southern Craven county, and into eastern Pamlico county.
The next briefing is scheduled by 5 pm this evening.
Jan. 19, 2022:
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch for almost all of Eastern North Carolina.
Please continue to monitor weather reports as the storm approaches. At this time (5 p.m. Jan. 19, 2022), the predictions are for the weather impacts to begin Thursday night (Jan. 20) and to persist through Saturday (Jan. 22).
The Town of Beaufort will continue to post updates as they become available online at www.beaufortnc.org as well as on our social media outlets.
Please find attached the official update from the National Weather Service.
Highlights of the briefing include:
- Winter Storm Watch expanded to include Eastern Carteret County and Mainland Dare counties. The Winter Storm Watch is now in effect for all counties in Eastern NC except the Outer Banks counties (coastal Dare and coastal Hyde counties)
- Increased snowfall totals across the far northern tier
- Forecasted ice amounts adjusted slightly
The next briefing is scheduled by 8 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 20.