Power outages in Raleigh: who to call and outage maps

Last checked Oct. 11, 2026. Facts on this page come from the City of Raleigh’s emergency contacts page and Duke Energy. Check your power bill to see which company serves your address.

The City of Raleigh does not run the electric system. Raleigh homes get power from either Duke Energy Progress or Wake Electric Membership Corporation, a cooperative. The company name is on your bill, and each has its own outage line, the city says.

Who to call

• Duke Energy Progress: text OUT to 57801, report online at duke-energy.com/outages, or call 800-419-6356
• Wake Electric: 919-863-6499 or 800-743-3155
• Downed power line or transformer fire: 911
• Wake County Emergency Management: 919-856-6480
• Non-emergencies, including trees down on city streets: 919-829-1911

Report an outage

1. Check the map first. Duke’s outage map shows current outages and estimated restoration times.
2. Report it. Text OUT to 57801, report online or call 800-419-6356, the numbers the city lists for Duke Energy Progress. Wake Electric members call the cooperative.
3. Stay away from downed lines. Duke says to assume every downed line is energized and dangerous. Call 911.

Note that Duke runs two companies in North Carolina with different numbers. Raleigh is listed by the city under Duke Energy Progress; the 800-769-3766 number (800-POWERON) belongs to Duke Energy Carolinas, though Duke also uses it for streetlight repairs.

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 public health and safety facilities first, according to its restoration page. The usual order:

1. Transmission lines from the power plants to substations
2. Substations, which step the voltage down for local lines
3. Main distribution lines that serve the most customers
4. Tap lines, transformers and service lines that feed individual streets and homes

That is why one street, or one house, can stay dark after the neighborhood comes back. Duke says different parts of a neighborhood may be on different circuits.

Generators and safety

• Run a generator outside the house and plug appliances into it directly. Never wire it into your breaker box; Duke says it can backfeed the lines and injure crews.
• Stay out of flooded areas and debris, which can hide downed lines.
• Do not drive around to look at damage; it can slow rescue and restoration work.

Other emergency numbers

From the city’s emergency contacts page:

What this means for you

• Save 800-419-6356 and the text number 57801 in your phone before storm season.
• Check the bill: Duke and Wake Electric customers report outages to different numbers.
• Report any line still down after the power returns.

More: who to call at City Hall and road closures.

Frequently asked questions

How do I report a power outage in Raleigh?

Duke Energy Progress customers can text OUT to 57801, report online or call 800-419-6356. Wake Electric customers call 919-863-6499 or 800-743-3155.

Who provides electricity in Raleigh?

The City of Raleigh lists two power companies: Duke Energy Progress and Wake Electric Membership Corporation, a cooperative. Your bill shows which one serves you. The city does not sell electricity.

What should I do about a downed power line in Raleigh?

Call 911 for a downed power line or a transformer fire, the city says. Assume every downed line is energized and stay away.

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

Duke Energy says different parts of a neighborhood can be on different circuits, and a home’s own service line may be damaged after the main lines are fixed.

How do I report a streetlight out in Raleigh?

Call Duke Energy at 800-769-3766 or Wake Electric at 855-280-1147 with the address and the pole number. The utilities maintain most streetlights in the city’s right of way.