Goldsboro, N.C. – Thousands of residents in Goldsboro were unexpectedly left in the dark after an unusual intruder slithered into a Duke Energy substation and disrupted electrical service — a snake.
According to officials with Duke Energy, the outage, which occurred recently in the early hours of the morning, was the result of a snake making contact with sensitive electrical equipment inside one of the company’s substations. The reptile’s presence triggered a fault that led to a widespread power outage across parts of Goldsboro, with service restored within several hours.
Though startling, the incident is not unprecedented. In fact, animal-related power outages — particularly those involving snakes, squirrels, and birds — affect an estimated 13 million people annually across the United States, according to industry reports.
A Growing Threat from Wildlife
Duke Energy spokespersons have confirmed that protective barriers, such as fencing and mesh enclosures, are already in place at many substations. However, this latest breach underscores the difficulty of defending critical infrastructure from small and agile wildlife. The company is now reevaluating its existing safeguards to determine how the snake gained access.
“This is an unfortunate reminder of how even well-secured facilities can be vulnerable to wildlife,” said an official from Duke Energy. “We’re committed to making ongoing improvements to our grid to reduce the risk of similar incidents in the future.”
Community Reaction
Residents impacted by the outage took to social media to express their surprise at the unusual culprit. Some joked about the “electric eel in disguise,” while others expressed concerns over the reliability of critical infrastructure in the face of natural intrusions.
Part of a Larger Pattern
Goldsboro’s outage is part of a broader pattern that utility providers across the Southeast have been battling for years. In similar cases, snakes have slithered into substations in cities like Durham, Fayetteville, and Rock Hill, often causing significant service disruptions and even damaging expensive electrical components.
As utility companies continue to invest in smart grid technology and infrastructure modernization, wildlife protection is becoming an increasingly important focus. Some newer substations are being built with advanced deterrents like motion sensors and wildlife guards, which can alert technicians before an animal comes into contact with energized equipment.
What’s Next
Duke Energy is currently investigating the exact entry point and circumstances of the Goldsboro incident. In the meantime, residents are encouraged to report any unusual animal activity near electrical equipment and to always stay clear of substations for their own safety.
“Even something as small as a snake can have a big impact,” the Duke Energy spokesperson added. “We’re doing everything we can to keep that from happening again.”
For updates on service alerts and infrastructure improvements, customers can follow Duke Energy on social media or sign up for notifications through their customer portal.
