RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — Duke Energy has positioned 18,000 workers across 20 sites in the Carolinas as it prepares for possible power outages from the winter storm.

Crews started arriving in the parking lot at Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek late Friday and have been positioned with equipment ready to respond as needed. Jeff Brooks with Duke Energy said there are 1,000 workers at this site.

“With the ice storm coming in, we are making sure that our linemen and crews have the support that they need behind the scenes, ensuring that they have lodging, anything on the ground to make sure that they can safely restore power for our community,” said Cherry Dukes, a Senior Management Specialist with Duke Energy.

Duke is tasked with locating and booking hotel rooms for the crews.

“At Walnut Creek, they can get fuel for their vehicles, food, and snacks for the day. We provide three meals and snacks in between. Any questions or support that they may have, we’re here for. Parking for the trucks, and we also provide buses back and forth to the hotels so that they don’t have to worry about taking their bucket trucks to the hotels,” said Dukes.

Ice accumulation continues to be a main area of concern for crews, both due to the impact it can have on power outages and roads.

“When ice hits a quarter of an inch, the tree limbs start to break and they can come down on the lines. When we get to half an inch, those lines can sag, and they can break themselves. We do everything we can to strengthen the electric grid, adding new technologies to help recover faster. But Mother Nature is powerful and we should take it seriously,” said Brooks.

Saturday, state officials continued to urge drivers to avoid the roadways.

“Starting today, we’re anticipating sleet and freezing rain. It’s weather you do not want to be driving in. In the next week, it’s going to be cold in most of the state. We expect temperatures to fall below freezing every night for the next week. Whatever ice or snow is on the ground at the end of the day will refreeze overnight. Black ice will remain a risk in many places into next week, especially on bridges, overpasses, and shaded areas,” said Governor Josh Stein.

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