Charlotte's power comes from Duke Energy. Report an outage at 800-769-3766 (800-POWERON), by texting OUT to 57801 or online; check Duke's outage map.

Last checked Oct. 11, 2026. Facts on this page come from Duke Energy’s outage pages and its power restoration guide.

Charlotte’s electricity comes from Duke Energy, not the city. The city’s own energy plan says Charlotte relies on Duke Energy for its electricity and on Piedmont Natural Gas, a Duke Energy subsidiary, for natural gas (Strategic Energy Action Plan, PDF).

Who to call

  • Report an outage: Duke Energy Carolinas, 800-769-3766 (800-POWERON)
  • By text: text OUT to 57801
  • Online or app: duke-energy.com/outages or the Duke Energy app
  • Outage map and restoration times: current outages
  • Downed line with anyone in danger, or a fire: 911

Reporting an outage

Duke Energy says it does not always know your power is out, so report it. There are three ways: text OUT to 57801, call 800-769-3766 or report it online, according to its storm tips page. Calling more than once does not speed up repairs, and talking to a customer service representative will not move you up the list.

You can sign up for outage alerts by email, phone or text through the same page.

How Duke Energy restores power

After a storm, Duke Energy restores power in a set order, according to its restoration guide:

  1. Public safety first: downed lines are checked and made safe.
  2. Transmission lines that feed large areas from the power plants to substations.
  3. Substations, which step voltage down for the main distribution lines.
  4. Main distribution lines to large subdivisions and commercial areas.
  5. Local distribution, or “tap,” lines to smaller neighborhoods and businesses.
  6. Transformers and service lines to individual homes.

Hospitals, police and fire departments, water treatment plants and pumping stations get priority. Duke Energy says it cannot guarantee power or priority to individual customers, including those with medical conditions, and asks nursing homes and care facilities to have their own backup plans.

If a neighbor’s lights come back before yours, the homes may be on different circuits, or your home may be fed by a secondary line that is fixed after the main line. There may also be a problem with your own service line or meter.

Safety

From Duke Energy’s outage guidance:

  • Downed lines: assume every downed line is energized, and anything touching it too. Report it to Duke Energy right away. After a big storm, crews make lines safe first and may repair them the next day or later.
  • Flooding and debris can hide downed lines; stay away.
  • Generators: run them outside and plug appliances directly into them. Never wire a generator into your breaker box; it can send power back onto the lines and injure crews.
  • Leaving home: turn off appliances that were on, or the main breaker.
  • Not sure about your wiring? Call a licensed electrician.

Gas and water after a storm

  • Smell natural gas? Leave the area, then call Piedmont Natural Gas at 800-752-7504 or 911, the utility says on its contact page.
  • Water service problems: Charlotte Water takes calls through 311 or 704-336-7600.

Weather warnings

The National Weather Service office in Greenville-Spartanburg covers Charlotte. Check the NWS forecast for Charlotte before a storm, and sign up for CharMeck Alerts, the city and county emergency alert system.

What this means for you

  • Save 800-769-3766 in your phone, or text OUT to 57801, before the next storm.
  • Check the outage map instead of calling repeatedly.
  • Treat every downed line as live.

Related: who to call at City Hall and moving to Charlotte.

Frequently asked questions

Who do I call for a power outage in Charlotte?

Call Duke Energy Carolinas at 800-769-3766 (800-POWERON), text OUT to 57801 or report it online or in the Duke Energy app.

Where is the Duke Energy outage map?

Duke Energy’s current outages page at duke-energy.com/outages/current-outages shows outages and estimated restoration times.

Does Duke Energy know my power is out?

Not always, Duke Energy says. Report it yourself, but calling more than once will not speed up repairs.

What should I do about a downed power line?

Stay away, assume it is energized and report it to Duke Energy right away. If anyone is in danger, call 911.

Why is my neighbor’s power on but mine is off?

Different parts of a neighborhood can be on different circuits, or your home may be served by a secondary line that is repaired after the main line, Duke Energy says. There may also be a problem with your service line or meter.