Weather Data Source: sharpweather.com

Severe Storms Cause Widespread Power Outages in Charlotte

Storm damage in Charlotte with fallen trees and power lines.

Charlotte, August 2, 2025

News Summary

Charlotte is facing significant power outages following severe storms on Friday night, affecting approximately 13,000 customers. The hardest-hit area is Ballantyne, with ongoing restoration efforts expected to restore power by Saturday morning. Wind gusts reaching up to 65 mph caused fallen trees and limbs, impacting power lines. Local authorities are working to address the aftermath, including disruptions at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, while Duke Energy focuses on enhancing grid resilience.

Charlotte is experiencing significant power outages due to severe storms that swept through the area on Friday night. As of 10 p.m., Duke Energy reported approximately 13,000 customers without power across the Charlotte metro region, with restoration efforts ongoing.

The hardest-hit area is Ballantyne, which has seen around 4,000 outages. Additionally, neighborhoods in south and west Charlotte, particularly the West Tyvola Road area, reported another 2,000 outages. In Gaston County, about 1,000 customers were also affected, particularly in the Springdale and Spencer Mountain Village areas. Some customers remain without power without established restoration timelines; however, many are expected to have their electricity restored by Saturday morning.

As of 5 a.m. Saturday, the number of reported outages had adjusted to about 4,700 across the Charlotte metro area, with approximately 2,200 outages occurring specifically in Mecklenburg County. The storm’s impact extended beyond Charlotte, affecting around 2,500 customers in Iredell County, mainly in Mooresville. The power outages were attributed to fallen trees or limbs caused by wind gusts reaching up to 65 miles per hour.

The storms not only caused outages but also disrupted flights out of Charlotte Douglas International Airport. Local authorities are actively working to clear blocked roads and address downed trees and power lines across various counties.

Duke Energy is implementing improvements to enhance the resilience of the power grid in Mecklenburg County this summer. Crews are currently working on South Boulevard to install smart self-healing technology capable of automatically connecting to an alternate power source within seconds during outages. As a result, two-thirds of Mecklenburg County is now equipped with this innovative technology, which played a crucial role last year, helping to prevent over 160,000 outages, particularly during major storms.

In response to these recent events, Duke Energy has also reported successfully restoring power to over 41,000 customers affected by storms in southwest Ohio and northern Kentucky, where more than 48,000 outages were recorded. The company prioritizes the repair of large power lines and essential services, including hospitals, during restoration efforts. Customers can report outages and receive updates through Duke Energy’s website and text alerts.

As similar storms affected areas beyond Charlotte, other regions have also faced challenges. In Greenville, South Carolina, over 41,000 customers in the Upstate and Western North Carolina lost power due to the storms. Anderson city officials confirmed wind and tree damage impacting several homes in Anderson County.

Local officials continue to address the conditions created by the storms to ensure safety and restore services in a timely manner.

FAQ

What caused the power outages in Charlotte?

The power outages were primarily caused by severe storms, with high wind gusts reaching up to 65 miles per hour, which led to fallen trees and limbs impacting power lines.

How many customers are currently without power?

As of 5 a.m. Saturday, approximately 4,700 customers were reported to be without power across the Charlotte metro area.

When can residents expect their power to be restored?

Restoration times vary; some areas have no established timelines, but many customers are expected to have their power back by Saturday morning.

What technologies is Duke Energy implementing to improve power reliability?

Duke Energy is installing smart self-healing technology that can automatically reroute power within seconds during outages, enhancing the grid’s resilience.

Feature Details
Outages in Charlotte Area Approximately 13,000 reported at peak; reduced to about 4,700 by Saturday morning.
Hardest Hit Region Ballantyne area with around 4,000 outages.
Branch Outages Significant outages reported in south and west Charlotte and Gaston County.
Wind Impact Wind gusts reaching up to 65 mph.
Recovery Efforts Duke Energy prioritizes large power lines and essential services for restoration.
Smart Technology Two-thirds of Mecklenburg County served by smart self-healing technology.

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Additional Resources

HERE Charlotte
Author: HERE Charlotte

The CHARLOTTE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECharlotte.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Lovin' Life Music Festival, Charlotte Pride festival, and major sporting tournaments at Bank of America Stadium. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance and Foundation for the Carolinas, plus leading businesses in finance and entertainment that power the local economy such as Bank of America and NASCAR. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAsheville.com, HEREGreensboro.com, HERERaleigh.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.

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