Hurricane Dorian is on the way and Verizon is ready

What you need to know:

• Hurricane Dorian is forecast to make landfall in Florida as a major hurricane.
• As Hurricane Dorian heads towards Florida, our emergency response teams are busy making sure residents, visitors and first responders can stay connected during and after the storm.
• If you live in an area that will be affected by Hurricane Dorian, now is the time to make sure you know your weather plan and are making sure you and your family are prepared.

We’re ready to keep our network running

When hurricanes like Dorian hit, power outages are commonplace. Verizon has backup power in the form of batteries and generators at our cell sites and network facilities so that even if commercial power is lost, our network can continue to run. We also pre-arrange ongoing fuel deliveries to the generators so if commercial power is out for a long period, we are able to help keep you connected to the people and resources you need.

Extreme weather events can also damage fiber optic cables, which carry data and are an essential part of keeping our wireless network running. We have engineered diversity into our network to ensure that it stays in service during and after a storm. However, it is possible that despite this redundancy and planning, fiber can be damaged in multiple places due to sustained winds, a storm surge or even manual cuts during storm recovery work, impacting communications. To respond to that circumstance, we have added some satellite enabled portable equipment that may aid in the restoration of service in some critical areas.

We’re ready to support our community

Not only do we work to ensure our network is ready for the storm, but we also make plans to be there for our neighbors who may be impacted. We have mobile Wireless Emergency Communications Centers, Tactical Command Trailers, and Response Trailers ready to deploy to support first responders and community members during recovery efforts. We also have portable cell sites and equipment to support first responders’ emergency command centers.

We're ready to support V Teamers

We’re also ready to help employees in times of need through the VtoV Employee Relief Fund. The charity provides grants for Verizon employees displaced from their homes due to a natural or personal emergency - such as fire, flood, severe weather or domestic violence. VtoV is entirely supported by employee donations and the Verizon Foundation’s generous matching gift program, with 100% of all donations going to help employees.

Have a plan for your family

Our preparations help keep you connected, but it is important to ensure your family is ready for the storm. Here are some helpful tips to make sure you and your family are storm-ready. We know that reliable communication before, during and after the storm is critical to reach your loved ones and the resources you need. We are ready and we’ve got your back.

Visit Verizon's Emergency Resource Hub for more info on our response efforts.

Access images and b-roll of past storms, Verizon equiptment, recovery efforts, and more at Verizon's Emergency Resource Hub.