North Carolina power outage tracker: See the latest in the Wilmington area

Downed trees and power lines cause widespread outages in Wilmington, North Carolina

Over 10,000 New Hanover County residents are without power after strong wind gusts and heavy rain battered the area overnight. According to Duke Energy's outage map, the most affected areas are in the northern part of the county, including Ogden, Castle Hayne, and northern Wilmington.

Crews are working to restore power as quickly as possible, but some residents may be without power for several hours. Duke Energy estimates that all power will be restored by 11:00 p.m. tonight. A late afternoon update from Wilmington Fire Department indicates downed trees may impact evening road closures.

In the meantime, residents are urged to stay away from downed power lines and to report any downed lines to Duke Energy. Residents can also check the Duke Energy outage map for the latest updates on the restoration process.

New Hanover County Schools closed for the day

All New Hanover County Schools are closed today, September 15, 2023, due to the widespread power outages. All after-school activities have also been canceled.

Parents are urged to make arrangements for their children today and to check the school website for updates on when classes will resume.

Wilmington Transit Authority buses not running

All Wilmington Transit Authority buses are not running today, September 15, 2023, due to the power outages.

Passengers are urged to make alternate transportation arrangements.

Stay informed about the power outages

Residents can stay informed about the power outages by checking the following resources:

• Duke Energy's outage map: https://outagemap.duke-energy.com/nc/
• New Hanover County website: https://www.nhcgov.com/
• Wilmington Transit Authority website: https://www.wavetransit.com/

Residents can also follow Duke Energy and the City of Wilmington on social media for updates on the power outages.

Conclusion

The widespread power outages in Wilmington, North Carolina are a reminder of the importance of being prepared for natural disasters. Residents should have an emergency plan in place and should be prepared to be without power for several hours or even days.

Fortunately, there are resources available to help residents stay informed and safe during power outages. By following the tips above, residents can stay safe and informed until power is restored.