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WNC power outages tick past 8,000 as Winter Storm Fern continues

WNC power outages tick past 8,000 as Winter Storm Fern continues

WNC power outages numbered in the thousands around 1:45 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. Photo: Contributed/Duke Energy


ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — After reporting a low number of power outages in Asheville this morning, conditions have continued to worsen across the Western North Carolina region.

According to outage maps from Duke Energy and French Broad Electric, the number of impacted households, businesses and schools has escalated to the thousands, resulting in workplace closures and teacher workdays around the area.

French Broad Electric, which serves customers in Buncombe, Madison, Mitchell and Yancey counties, reported 102 customers without power, as of 1:45 p.m. this afternoon.

To report an outage, call (828) 649-2051 for Madison, (828) 688-4815 for Mitchell or (828) 682-6121 for Yancey.

On the Duke Energy map, things are much more dire. The utility company reported 10,897 outages across the Carolinas as of 1:45 p.m., 10,000 of which center around WNC and Upstate South Carolina.

Conditions to the south and southwest of Asheville continue to be the hardest hit, with significant clusters of impact around Brevard, Little River, Nortan and Rosman.

Report an outage to Duke Energy by dialing +1 (800) 769-3766.

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