Power companies brace for winter storm as snow and ice threaten widespread outages

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — Power companies across the region and state are gearing up for a significant winter storm expected to bring snow and ice this weekend.

Heavy, accumulating snow or ice can weigh down power lines, leading to widespread outages.

Duke Energy, which serves nearly five million customers in the Carolinas, said it is closely monitoring the weather for any changes to the forecast.

Weather updates: POSSIBLE HIGH-IMPACT WINTER STORM EXPECTED THIS WEEKEND

French Broad Electric also said it is preparing crews for the possible winter storm this weekend. In a statement, the power company advised residents to prepare for potential ice or snow by gathering essentials for a few days and planning alternate ways to stay warm in case of extended power outages.

“In our service area, it looks like there is still some uncertainty as to how much of the precipitation will be snow and how much will be ice. Obviously, no one has any control over that, but for us, ice is the worst. A quarter to half inch of ice can cause significant damage to our electric grid. 12-18” of snow will also bring its own challenges,” French Broad Electric said in a social media post Wednesday.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation said it has started early preparations by restocking its salt supplies.

Stay updated with News 13 on air and online this week as we monitor the potential winter storm.