As North and South Carolina braced for a powerful winter storm on the weekend of January 24-25, 2026, state and local officials, utility companies, and residents found themselves in a race against time. With forecasts predicting a potentially catastrophic ice event, both states declared states of emergency, and the entire region mobilized to confront what could be the most hazardous winter weather in years.
According to WTVD, North Carolina Governor Josh Stein declared a State of Emergency on January 25, 2026, as the storm approached. The order came alongside a flurry of weather alerts, including a Winter Storm Warning and Winter Storm Advisory, set to remain in effect until Monday afternoon. Central North Carolina readied for moderate to heavy mixed precipitation—mainly sleet and freezing rain—with the Piedmont region even facing the possibility of snow. Officials warned that roads, especially bridges and overpasses, would likely become slick and dangerous, and that significant ice accumulation on power lines and tree limbs could trigger widespread, long-lasting power outages.
Durham County quickly followed suit, declaring its own State of Emergency. Chair Dr. Mike Lee urged residents to prepare, stating, “The latest forecasting indicates we will experience hazardous travel conditions, downed trees, and power outages during this period. The county encourages all of our residents to prepare accordingly and use caution until the event has passed.” Notably, the declaration did not include specific restrictions, but the message was clear: caution and readiness were paramount.
Meanwhile, in the western part of the state, Duke Energy was already in high gear. As reported by WLOS and the Hendersonville Times-News, hundreds of Duke Energy line workers and support crews converged on the WNC Agriculture Center in Fletcher. More than 400 trucks were staged there, with an additional 100 in Asheville, all part of a massive response effort. “Right now, we are surrounded by more than 400 trucks just at one of the staging sites here in western North Carolina. There are several staging sites just like this one in addition to the operation centers that are here every day in our communities. So we are here, we are present,” said Carolina Fountain, a Duke Energy manager.
Duke Energy’s preparations extended far beyond the Tar Heel State. According to Queen City News, the company had mobilized over 18,000 workers from 27 states and Canada, positioning crews, equipment, and supplies in areas expected to bear the brunt of the storm. Utility vehicles were even staged at Carowinds, a regional landmark. Crews were ready to respond as soon as it was safe, but they faced a formidable adversary: freezing rain and ice. “Freezing rain is going to be our enemy over the days ahead. It will build up on tree branches until the weight causes them to break – bringing down power lines and poles. The freezing rain and ice will also make roads extremely difficult for our crews to navigate, slowing power restoration efforts,” explained Rick Canavan, Duke Energy’s storm director.
By Sunday morning, January 25, the storm’s impact was already being felt. WBTV reported that more than 6,500 Duke Energy customers were without power in Western North Carolina—a number expected to climb as the day wore on. Ice accumulation, projected to reach between 0.5 and 0.75 inches across the Charlotte region, coated roadways and made driving treacherous. Officials in both states repeatedly urged residents to stay off the roads, emphasizing that the risks extended well beyond inconvenience. “Avoid driving if possible,” Duke Energy advised, underscoring the dangers not only for residents but also for the utility crews who would be working to restore power in the aftermath.
With the threat of extended outages looming, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services issued urgent safety reminders to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning—a deadly risk during winter outages. Residents were cautioned never to use gasoline-powered generators, outdoor grills, or camp stoves inside or near windows, doors, or vents. The department also recommended installing carbon monoxide detectors on each level of the home and avoiding the use of gas appliances to heat indoor spaces.
Emergency shelters opened their doors in Wake County, providing safe havens for residents and their pets. Southeast Raleigh High School and Heritage High School became temporary refuges, with officials asking those seeking shelter to bring essential items such as prescription medications, infant care supplies, and pet necessities. The Duke Energy Foundation stepped in as well, announcing a rapid-response grant of $100,000 to the American Red Cross to support warming shelters, emergency supplies, and community-run shelters across North and South Carolina. “Duke Energy’s storm response goes beyond restoring power,” said Loree Elswick, Duke Energy Foundation president. “While our crews prepare to respond safely and quickly to winter weather impacts, the Foundation is working in parallel to help ensure customers and communities have access to safe, warm places and essential resources.”
As the storm intensified, Duke Energy’s in-house meteorologists closely monitored conditions. Carolina Fountain explained that it takes about a quarter inch of ice to begin impacting trees and power lines, and up to six inches of wet, heavy snow to cause similar damage. The company’s restoration strategy prioritized major transmission lines first, followed by substations and then local distribution lines. But the work was not without its risks. “We can handle (fallen) trees but slick terrain is definitely a huge hurdle we’re going to have to go through, versus Helene,” said lineman Matt Page, referencing his experience with Tropical Storm Helene. “We’re doing our best (and) we’re very good at it. We can handle outages. Be patient with us. We’ll get (the power) back on as quick as we can. And please stay away from downed lines.”
Safety was a recurring theme throughout the weekend. Duke Energy and state officials reminded the public to treat all downed or sagging power lines as energized and dangerous, to report hazards immediately, and to keep children and pets away from affected areas. If a power line fell across a vehicle, occupants were advised to stay inside unless absolutely necessary to exit for survival, in which case they should jump clear of the vehicle without touching it and the ground simultaneously.
For residents, the advice was simple yet vital: prepare for the worst, hope for the best, and stay informed. Duke Energy encouraged customers to report outages via its app, website, or by calling 1-800-POWERON. The company also recommended charging devices, reviewing emergency supplies, and checking on neighbors—especially the most vulnerable.
As the Carolinas faced down nature’s icy onslaught, the response—marked by coordination, preparation, and community spirit—offered a glimmer of warmth amid the cold. The days ahead would test patience and resolve, but with thousands of professionals working around the clock and neighbors looking out for one another, residents could be assured that help was never far away.