Residents in Craven and Pamlico Counties faced power outages, snow, and ice as a winter storm moved through the region. Many woke up Thursday morning without electricity, while some areas saw tree branches covered in ice, leading to damage and power line failures.
In Bridgeton, resident William Ryeman described witnessing a bright flash before the power went out. Duke Energy crews arrived around 9:00 a.m. to begin repairs, but Ryeman and his family remained without power for over 12 hours. Fortunately, they had a backup heat source to keep warm, using a gas heater in their home to manage the freezing conditions.
Other residents, however, were not as fortunate. In River Bend, Susan Pedulla and approximately 1,000 others lost power early Thursday morning. She and her neighbors on Plantation Drive spent the night without heat after hearing loud noises outside. Pedulla recalled hearing multiple booms and seeing flashing lights before the electricity failed. She managed to stay warm by layering clothing and wrapping herself in blankets.
Duke Energy officials reported that the majority of outages were caused by ice accumulation on tree branches, which added significant weight and caused them to fall onto power lines. This issue was consistent across Eastern North Carolina, where downed lines led to widespread disruptions.
Caroline Fountain, a spokesperson for Duke Energy, explained that crews were actively working to repair the damage. In many cases, fallen trees had taken down power lines, requiring extensive work to restore service. Duke Energy urged residents who were still without power or aware of downed power lines to report issues through the company’s website.
Efforts to restore electricity continued throughout the day as workers tackled the most heavily affected areas. The storm served as a reminder of the challenges posed by winter weather in the region, highlighting the importance of backup heating sources and preparedness for extreme conditions.
