Utility crews working to restore power to Charlotte neighborhoods

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Over the weekend after Hurricane Florence hit the North Carolina coast and brought heavy rain to Charlotte, a large tree fell in Sherwood Forest, downing three utility poles and the power lines attached to them.

The poles require replacing – a project can that can take several hours.

Residents haven’t had power in over a day – that means no air conditioning and food spoilage.

Neighbors say they’re somewhat used to it because this area is usually among the first to lose electricity during storms.

Clearly, neighborhoods with tall trees and above-ground power lines are more likely to go dark, but Duke Energy is working to make improvements to ensure ones like this one in Southeast Charlotte don't have to go through this every time there’s a bad storm.

Since last year, the company has been moving ahead with a new initiative, burying more power lines, trimming back more trees and installing new technology so the utility can divert electricity around trouble spots.

"Even though a tree may fall and take a line down, we can automatically have the power transfer and continue to provide the majority of those customers with power," said Tim Pettit, with Duke Energy.

Duke says people in other parts of town could be without power until Wednesday.

Read more top trending stories on wsoctv.com:

• Search to resume for missing 1-year-old swept away by flood waters
• FLORENCE AFTERMATH: Swollen rivers near record levels as Florence looms
• 'He was a fighter in the beginning': 3-month-old killed when tree falls on Gaston Co. home
• WATCH: Keith Monday's Monday forecast outlook 
• CMPD investigating after mother, 3-year-old injured in east Charlotte shooting

Cox Media Group