WNC -- January 25, 2026: Residents across the mountain region are facing significant power interruptions as Winter Storm Fern moves through the area. As of approximately 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 25, utility providers and emergency management officials are reporting widespread outages, with the southern mountains bearing the brunt of the impact.
The Current Situation According to statewide data from Ready NC and PowerOutage.us, total outages in North Carolina have climbed past 20,000. While the numbers fluctuate as crews work to restore power and new lines succumb to the weight of ice and snow, the concentration remains heaviest in the following counties:
Transylvania County: Currently the hardest hit in the state with over 9,000 reported outages, affecting nearly 40% of the county’s customers.
Haywood County: Reporting approximately 2,715 to 3,058 outages.
Henderson County: Tracking roughly 1,466 to 3,541 outages.
Jackson & Macon Counties: Combined outages exceeding 2,500.
Buncombe County: Holding relatively steady with approximately 258 reported outages.
Utility Provider Updates Real-time tracking from individual utility maps provides a clearer picture of where infrastructure is struggling:
Haywood EMC: Reports a critical situation with over 7,300 members without power, representing more than 25% of their total service area.
Duke Energy: Lists over 7,400 customers out across the state, with the majority concentrated in the western region.
French Broad EMC: Currently reports approximately 104 outages in its service territory.
Blue Ridge Energy: To the north, service remains stable with 0 outages reported in Watauga, Ashe, and Alleghany counties, signaling that the current damage is localized to the southern mountain corridor.
Safety and Resources Utility crews are currently deployed, but hazardous road conditions may slow restoration efforts. Residents are reminded to stay away from downed power lines and treat every line as energized.
For those in need of assistance or real-time updates:
Road Conditions: Visit drivenc.gov for the latest on mountain road closures.
Shelter Information: Check the Ready NC app or website for active emergency shelters.
WNCTimes