Duke Energy has denied reimbursement claims after a power surge in Holly Springs, North Carolina, left residents in at least 30 homes reporting damage to property.
Here's what to know
According to WRAL News, homeowners on Climbing Tree Trail in the 12 Oaks neighborhood said a June outage was followed by a sudden return of electricity that led to problems across the area.
Residents said more than 30 homes were affected, with damage to appliances, electrical systems, and other equipment.
"Everybody's fire alarm went off," Resident Manny Velosa said, adding that the sound across the neighborhood was "like gunfire going off really."
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In a statement to WRAL News, Duke Energy said its review traced the outage to a tree that fell outside the area the company maintains along its lines.
The company said, "Following that review, claims for this event were denied because the outage was caused by conditions beyond Duke Energy's control and the available information does not establish company responsibility."
More background
Residents said a Duke Energy worker at the scene told them a newer lineman had turned the power back on without realizing a tree was down on a line farther down the road, though WRAL couldn't independently confirm that account.
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A voicemail that residents attributed to Duke Energy's consumer affairs team added to that confusion. The caller allegedly said, "They should be taking care of this at this time."
Resident Kristen Merson said smoke spread through parts of her home, and others said garage door openers, Tesla chargers, pool equipment, hair dryers, and hair straighteners were damaged, too.
"We had to replace our entire electrical panel," Merson explained.
What's being done?
While residents continue to push for reimbursement and more explanation, Duke Energy hasn't changed its position.
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The utility told WRAL News that crews restored service in stages while they worked to determine what caused the outage, and that normal service resumed once crews cleared the blockage.
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Adding battery storage to a solar setup is one of the best ways to protect your home during outages like the one on Climbing Tree Trail. It can also save money on energy and help homeowners go off grid.
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Merson said the denial remains the hardest part to accept after the June damage.
"We never even thought that they would deny it. We thought it was just like obviously this is their fault," Merson said.
Where can I learn more?
These stories cover similar disputed utility responses, off-grid living during blackouts, backup power options, wildfire shutoffs, and cleanup fights.
• In California, SoCalGas drew anger with unconscionable rebates offered to disaster survivors.
• During extreme heat, one homeowner stayed cool during a power outage and barely changed routines.
• As outages worsen, homeowners increasingly compare backup generator and battery options with rooftop solar.
• Across West Coast states, utilities now plan to deliberately cut power to reduce wildfire risk.
• Environmental Protection Agency scrutiny grew as utilities used an absurd argument to avoid coal ash cleanup costs.
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