CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- A line of thunderstorms packing 80 mph wind gusts left more than 250,000 Carolina residents in the dark Tuesday.
At the height of the storm at about 4 a.m., Duke Energy says more than 256,000 customers were without power in North Carolina and South Carolina.
As of 3 p.m. Tuesday, more than 190,000 residents remained without power.
Duke Energy said about 300 additional employees from the Midwest were headed to the Carolinas to assist in restoration efforts.
The wind storm knocked down transformers in Gaston County, leaving more than 17,000 residents in the dark.
In Mecklenburg County, nearly 43,000 people were still without power Tuesday afternoon.
To report a power outage, call Duke Energy at 1-800-POWER-ON. For a list of current outages in your area, visit http://www.duke-energy.com/north-carolina/outages/current.asp.
