Duke Energy supplies Winston-Salem's electricity. Report an outage: text OUT to 57801 or call 800-769-3766 (Duke Energy Carolinas). Check the live outage map.

Last checked Oct. 11, 2026. Facts on this page come from Duke Energy and the City of Winston-Salem. Check your power bill to see which company serves your address.

Duke Energy supplies electricity in Winston-Salem, and Piedmont Natural Gas supplies natural gas, according to the city’s utilities page. Duke runs two companies in North Carolina, Duke Energy Carolinas and Duke Energy Progress, with separate outage lines; the company name is on your bill. If your bill comes from an electric cooperative instead, call the outage number printed on it.

Who to call

  • Text an outage: text OUT to 57801
  • Duke Energy Carolinas: 800-769-3766 (800-POWERON)
  • Duke Energy Progress: 800-419-6356
  • Outage map and online reporting: duke-energy.com/outages
  • Downed line, fire or someone hurt: 911

Report an outage

  1. Check the map first. Duke’s outage map shows current outages, how many customers are affected and the estimated restoration time.
  2. Report it. Text OUT to 57801, report online or call the outage line for your Duke company. Duke says you can still report online or by text even when its account site is down for maintenance.
  3. Check your breakers. If only your home is dark and the neighbors have power, the problem may be a tripped breaker, your own service line or your meter.

How Duke restores power

After a storm, Duke Energy says it works to return power to the greatest number of customers as safely and quickly as possible, putting hospitals, law enforcement, fire departments and water treatment and pumping stations first, according to its restoration page. Crews then work through the system in this order:

  1. Transmission lines from power plants to substations.
  2. Substations, which step the voltage down for local lines.
  3. Main distribution lines, which serve large subdivisions and commercial areas.
  4. Local distribution lines, the “tap” lines serving smaller neighborhoods.
  5. Transformers and service lines to individual homes and businesses.

That is why a whole neighborhood can come back on while one street, or one house, waits.

Downed lines

Duke Energy says to assume every downed line is energized and dangerous, along with anything touching it, such as a fence, car or tree limb. Stay well away and report it to Duke Energy or call 911.

Before the next storm

Thunderstorms, ice and the remnants of tropical storms can all bring down lines. The National Weather Service office in Raleigh issues forecasts, watches and warnings for Forsyth County; see the NWS forecast for Winston-Salem.

  • Charge phones and battery packs when severe weather is forecast.
  • Keep flashlights and batteries where you can find them in the dark.
  • Run generators outdoors only, well away from windows and doors.
  • If someone in your home depends on powered medical equipment, plan where to go if the power is out for a long time.

Traffic lights, water and city services

If traffic signals are out, slow down and treat the intersection with care. Report signals, water problems and other city issues to CityLink at 311 or 336-727-8000. For police help that is not an emergency, call 336-773-7700.

What this means for you

  • Save 57801 in your phone: texting OUT is the fastest way to report.
  • Look at the outage map before you call; it shows the estimated restoration time.
  • Stay away from downed lines and call 911.

Related: who to call at City Hall and moving to Winston-Salem.

Frequently asked questions

How do I report a power outage in Winston-Salem?

Text OUT to 57801, report online at duke-energy.com/outages, or call Duke Energy Carolinas at 800-769-3766 (800-POWERON). Duke Energy Progress customers call 800-419-6356.

Who is the electric company in Winston-Salem?

Duke Energy, according to the city of Winston-Salem’s utilities page. Natural gas comes from Piedmont Natural Gas.

Where is the Duke Energy outage map?

At duke-energy.com/outages. It shows current outages, the number of customers affected and estimated restoration times.

Why is my neighbor’s power back on but mine is not?

Duke Energy restores main lines before the tap lines, transformers and service lines that feed individual streets and homes, so one street or one house can stay dark after the neighborhood comes back.

What should I do about a downed power line in Winston-Salem?

Assume it is energized and dangerous, along with anything touching it. Stay away and report it to Duke Energy, or call 911.