ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Power outages began mounting across Western North Carolina around midnight as Winter Storm Fern moved into the region, bringing a wintry mix and hazardous conditions.

Duke Energy said crews were prepared for widespread outages and had staged thousands of workers across the Carolinas ahead of the storm. The utility has mobilized more than 18,000 restoration workers, including lineworkers, vegetation crews and support staff from 27 states and Canada. Nearly 12,000 lineworkers and 2,000 vegetation workers were deployed, with additional crews en route from Florida, Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio.

Crews are positioned throughout Western North Carolina and neighboring areas to assess damage, prioritize critical facilities and restore power as safely and quickly as possible once weather conditions improve.

Duke Energy warned that freezing rain, sleet and snow expected through the weekend could result in additional outages caused by ice-laden trees and power lines.

Residents were urged to prepare for extended power losses by charging electronic devices, gathering essential supplies such as flashlights, batteries, food and medications, and making plans to stay warm. Duke Energy also emphasized generator safety, warning customers never to operate generators indoors and to stay away from fallen or sagging power lines.

Customers can report outages by texting “OUT” to 57801, calling 1-800-POWERON or clicking here.

As of the latest update at 5 a.m., Duke Energy reported 55 active outages affecting customers in the Carolinas, including 2,300 customers in North Carolina and three in South Carolina.

Duke Energy serves about 4.7 million electric customers in the Carolinas — about 3.8 million in North Carolina and nearly 860,000 in South Carolina.

What customers should expect

Safety first: Stay away from downed power lines and storm debris. Use generators safely and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Grid improvements help speed restoration: Duke Energy has upgraded poles and wires, placed outage-prone lines underground and added smart, self-healing technology that can reroute power automatically — helping reduce outages and speed restoration.

Outages still possible: Despite these improvements, severe weather can still cause extended outages, especially in areas with downed trees or debris.

Restoration takes time: Crews will begin assessing damage and restoring power as soon as it’s safe. In some areas, restoration may be delayed due to blocked roads, hidden damage or hazardous travel conditions.

“While the forecast is still uncertain, it’s very possible that we could experience the Carolinas’ most extreme winter storm in over 20 years,” Duke Energy storm director Rick Canavan said in a statement.

“Our teams are tracking this storm closely, getting equipment and crews in place now so we can respond quickly once it’s safe. Because winter weather can change quickly, we want customers to have the information they need and be prepared before conditions deteriorate.”