Hurricanes are expected to bring massive outages, high winds and extreme flooding.

Duke Energy provides the following tips for staying safe in high-water and flooding.

High-water and flooding safety reminders:

• Learn about your county’s emergency plans, warning signals, evacuation routes and locations of emergency shelters. Visit ready.gov for more information.
• Turn off your power at the circuit breaker panel or fuse box if rising water threatens your home or if you evacuate your home.
• Stay away from downed power lines and electrical wires. DO NOT drive over or stand near downed power lines. Electric current passes easily through water.
• Do not try to drive through flooded areas; most flood-related deaths occur in automobiles.
• People who live along lakes and rivers, and in other low-lying areas or areas prone to flooding, should pay close attention to local emergency management officials, national weather service and media for changing weather conditions and rising lake and river levels.
• High water conditions can create navigational hazards. Use caution and follow the advice of local emergency management officials before going on area lakes or rivers.
• If you have electrical service to facilities (piers, outside lighting on seawalls, etc.) on or near the water, have a qualified electrical contractor de-energize this service to avoid injuries and equipment damage.
• For updated lake level information, go to duke-energy.com/community/lakes or call Duke Energy’s Lake Neighbor Information line at 800.829.LAKE (5253)

Safety around hydro stations and dams:

• Watch for rising water levels.
• Know where high ground is and move there quickly if you see or hear rapidly rising water.
• Heed warning signs posted near threatening areas, and avoid boating and swimming in these areas.
• Be especially cautious at night, the time of day most difficult to recognize the dangers.
• Watch for strong currents, wear life jackets and stay alert to changing weather conditions.
• Stay alert for partially submerged objects. High water can sweep heavy debris into the lakes.

Outage Information:

For Duke Energy customers, you can report an outage by texting OUT to 57801 or call 800.419.6356.

For other energy customers, find your contact numbers here.