CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — As a major winter ice storm approaches the Carolinas, Duke Energy is moving crews and resources into place, including utility vehicles staged at Carowinds.
The Duke Energy Foundation announced Friday it is awarding $100,000 to the American Red Cross to support emergency efforts across North Carolina and South Carolina.
MORE: Major winter storm begins Saturday afternoon and evening across the Carolinas
Officials said the rapid-response grant will help fund warming shelters, emergency supplies, blankets, and support for community-run shelters as dangerous winter weather sets in this weekend and into early next week.
“Duke Energy’s storm response goes beyond restoring power,” said Loree Elswick, Duke Energy Foundation president, in a released statement. “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.”
-
Carowinds via Queen City News
-
Carowinds via Queen City News
-
Carowinds via Queen City News
The American Red Cross said the funding will help reach families most vulnerable during extended cold snaps. Meanwhile, Duke Energy said it has more than 18,000 workers from 27 states and Canada ready to respond across the Carolinas.
Crews, equipment, and supplies are being positioned in areas expected to see the worst impacts, with freezing rain and ice posing the biggest threat to power lines and trees.
“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,” said Rick Canavan, Duke Energy storm director, in a written statement.
Duke Energy is asking residents to prepare now by charging devices, reviewing emergency supplies, checking on neighbors, and signing up for outage alerts.
Crews will begin assessing damage and restoring power as soon as conditions are safe.
MORE FROM QCNEWS.COM
Winter Weather
Power outages reported in south Charlotte due to storm damage
All northbound lanes closed on I-77 in Charlotte after overnight crash
Ice storm prompts federal emergency assistance for North Carolina
Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
