ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Power outages were reported across parts of Western North Carolina on Sunday as frigid temperatures gripped the region.
Temperatures in Asheville hovered in the low 20s, with wind chills near minus 4 degrees, creating hazardous conditions as utility crews worked to restore service.
According to the Duke Energy outage map, about 349 customers were without electricity along New Leicester Highway near South Turkey Creek Road. The outage was caused by a vehicle damaging the equipment. The utility estimated service would be restored by 1:30 p.m.
In the Lake Lure area, nearly 1,100 customers were affected by an outage, with restoration expected by 5:30 p.m., according to Duke Energy.
As of late morning, outage totals by county included:
- Buncombe County: 502 customers
- Henderson County: 19 customers
- Mitchell County: 93 customers
- Polk County: 56 customers
- Rutherford County: 797 customers
It was not immediately clear what caused the outages.