Hurricane Milton Updates

10.15.24 Morning Update

Restoration near complete

With 97% of our impacted cell sites back on air, we have recovered nearly the entire network in the state of Florida. We continue to work on recovering the few remaining sites that were impacted by Hurricane Milton, which are primarily located in the Tampa area.

Where cell sites have already been restored, our System Performance engineers are focused on optimizing and returning the network to pre-storm performance levels. For sites that remain on generator power, non-stop refueling efforts continue to ensure sites remain in service for Verizon customers and first responders.

Learn more about the incredible efforts of our network engineers to restore the network:

Secondary fiber cuts from debris clean up and power restoration may continue to have impacts on our network. Residents can help in restoration efforts by remembering to not touch or cut any cable that may have been displaced during the storm. Debris clean up and property repair are important tasks after a storm, but contacting 811 before any clean up project, large or small, is the easiest step toward reducing the chance of damaging fiber - whether underground or aerial - and keeping customers and first responders connected in critical moments.

Relief for Impacted Customers

As residents of Florida continue to recover, Verizon is providing a relief offer to help affected customers. From Oct. 9th to Oct. 23rd, Verizon will waive domestic call, text, and data usage for postpaid consumer and Verizon Small Business customers in impacted Florida counties.

Verizon’s Value brands, including Straight Talk, Tracfone, Total Wireless, Simple Mobile, Walmart Family Mobile, Net10, GoSmart, Page Plus, and Verizon Prepaid are extending service end dates to October 23, 2024 for customers in impacted counties. Verizon will also waive domestic call, text, and data usage for Verizon Value Prepaid. No action is needed— overages will be automatically credited.

Continued support

Customers in need of continued support can contact a member of our team at 800.922.0204 or check our store locator page to find a location near you.

There is a very long road ahead for recovery and rebuilding work in Florida and Verizon’s team will be on the ground with Floridians until that hard work is complete.

10.14.24 Morning Update

Community Support

The Verizon Foundation is stepping up to support communities devastated by Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton with a total of $2 million in donations to aid relief and recovery efforts. The contributions will provide essential support and rebuilding efforts to those who have been devastated by the storms.

The donations include $1 million to the American Red Cross to assist with emergency relief and recovery efforts for both Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton. The remaining $1 million is directed to various regional organizations providing crucial services on the ground in the hardest-hit areas, including $400,000 allocated to organizations in Florida for Hurricane Milton relief and $600,000 to support communities in Georgia and North Carolina affected by Hurricane Helene.

Community Resources

Wireless Emergency Communication Centers are generator-powered mobile units that have device charging and cellular and wifi to contact friends, family and other important contacts over the Verizon network. WECCs will be available at the below locations:

• Tampa Walmart | 1505 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, FL 33607
• Englewood Walmart 2931 S McCall Rd, Englewood, FL 34224

Charging Station Locations

Verizon has deployed charging stations for public use in several locations throughout the community:

• J. Ben Harrill Recreation Complex | 2830 Gulf Trace Blvd, Holiday, FL 34691
• New Port Richey Recreation & Aquatic Center | 6630 Van Buren St, New Port Richey, FL 346531
• Hudson Regional Library | 8012 Library Rd, Hudson, FL 34667
• Progress Village Senior Center | 8701 Progress Blvd, Tampa, FL 33619
• Florida Hurricane Insurance Village at Bradenton City Hall, Auditorium Building, 101 12th Street West, Bradenton, FL 34205

10.13.24 Morning Update

Restoration update

Our crews continue to see steady progress, with 85% of our impacted cell sites back on air. We’ve recovered much of Manatee, De Soto, Hardee, Charlotte, Lee, and Orange Counties, as well as the Venice and Rotunda Park areas in Sarasota County. We’ve also made progress in much of Pinellas County with our macro sites, which provide large area coverage, restoring along the barrier beaches.

Our focus for today remains on restoration in Hillsborough County. For sites that remain on generator power, non-stop refueling efforts continue to ensure sites remain in service for Verizon customers and first responders.

Where cell sites have already been restored, our System Performance engineers are focused on optimizing and returning the network to pre-storm performance levels. We continue to work with power providers and fiber vendors, as well as state and government agencies to coordinate on priority restoration where possible.

Community Resources

Wireless Emergency Communication Centers are generator-powered mobile units that have device charging and cellular and wifi to contact friends, family and other important contacts over the Verizon network. A WECC will be available at the below location as of 1pm EST today:

• Tampa Walmart | 1505 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, FL 33607

Charging Station Locations

Verizon has deployed charging stations for public use in several locations throughout the community:

• J. Ben Harrill Recreation Complex | 2830 Gulf Trace Blvd, Holiday, FL 34691
• New Port Richey Recreation & Aquatic Center | 6630 Van Buren St, New Port Richey, FL 346531
• Hudson Regional Library | 8012 Library Rd, Hudson, FL 34667
• Progress Village Senior Center | 8701 Progress Blvd, Tampa, FL 33619
• Erwin Technical College | 2010 E Hillsborough Ave, Tampa, FL 33610
• Strawberry Crest High School | 4691 Gallagher Rd, Dover, FL 33527

Temple Terrace Point of Distribution

Verizon continues to support the City of Temple Terrace, in partnership with the National Guard, in hosting a drive-thru P.O.D. (Point of Distribution). The P.O.D. will distribute water, MREs (meal, ready-to-eat) and tarps, from 7am - 7pm, while supplies last.

Location: 7701 E. Telecom Parkway, Temple Terrace, FL 33637

Store Support

Hurricane Milton has led to the closure of some stores or altered hours in Florida. Please check our store locator page for the most up to date information.

10.12.24 Evening Update

We continue to see significant improvements in cell site recovery, with our crews working 24/7 to restore service for customers impacted by Hurricane Milton. We remain focused on restoring essential connectivity and with power outages still widespread throughout the region, massive refueling operations continue to ensure those sites without commercial power remain in service for Verizon customers and first responders.

With a large number of team members and network assets moved into the region to support recovery operations, The Verizon Response Team has established a self-sustained basecamp at our Temple Terrace office hub location. This basecamp is also providing resources for our area employees who have been impacted, ensuring they have the resources they need to take care of themselves, their families, and our customers.

Temple Terrace Point of Distribution

Verizon is also supporting the City of Temple Terrace, in partnership with the National Guard, in hosting a drive-thru P.O.D. (Point of Distribution). The P.O.D. will distribute water, MREs (meal, ready-to-eat) and tarps, while supplies last.

Location: 7701 E. Telecom Parkway, Temple Terrace, FL 33637

Horarios:

Saturday, October 12: 2pm - 7pm

Sunday, October 13: 7am - 7pm

Relief for Impacted Customers

In response to Hurricane Milton’s impact on Florida, Verizon is providing an initial relief offer to help affected customers. From Oct. 9th to Oct. 23rd, Verizon will waive domestic call, text, and data usage for postpaid consumer and Verizon Small Business customers in impacted Florida counties.

Verizon’s Value brands, including Straight Talk, Tracfone, Total Wireless, Simple Mobile, Walmart Family Mobile, Net10, GoSmart, Page Plus, and Verizon Prepaid are extending service end dates to October 23, 2024 for customers in impacted counties. Verizon will also waive domestic call, text, and data usage for Verizon Value Prepaid.

No action is needed— overages will be automatically credited.

In-person Support

Hurricane Milton has led to the closure of some stores or altered hours in Florida. Please check our store locator page for the most up to date information.

10.12.24 Morning Update

Network Restoration

Verizon crews continued to work overnight, with nearly 70% of cell sites that were impacted by Hurricane Milton now restored. In Polk County, where third party fiber providers suffered significant damage to the fiber backhaul, we have seen network restoration with more than 80% of cell sites back on air. For cell sites that have already been restored, our System Performance engineers are focused on optimization and returning the network to pre-storm performance levels.

For today, our efforts remain focused on Hillsborough, Pinellas, Manatee, and Sarasota Counties. Refueling efforts continue on a wide scale to keep generators powered, and our engineers have been aggressively moving additional mobile cell sites, satellite connections and other temporary assets into the hardest hit areas. We continue to work closely with power providers and fiber vendors, as well as state and government agencies to coordinate on priority restoration where possible.

Verizon is actively supporting the community and first responders by deploying mobile assets to support emergency operations centers, staging areas, and other critical operations. The Verizon Frontline Crisis Response Team continues to assist first responders engaged in recovery operations following Hurricane Milton. The team has provided 76 solutions to 16 public safety agencies conducting operations across central and western Florida.

How you can help

Secondary fiber cuts from debris clean up and power restoration continue to have impacts on our network. Residents can help in restoration efforts by remembering to not touch or cut any cable that may have been displaced during the storm. Debris clean up and property repair are important tasks after a storm, but contacting 811 before any clean up project, large or small, is the easiest step toward reducing the chance of damaging fiber - whether underground or aerial - and keeping customers and first responders connected in critical moments.

In-person Support

Hurricane Milton has led to the closure of some stores or altered hours in Florida. Please check our store locator page for the most up to date information.

10.11.24 Afternoon Update

Network Restoration

Crews continued to make good progress throughout the day, restoring nearly 50% of all impacted cell sites in the less than 48 hours since Hurricane Milton made landfall. Work still remains in some of the harder hit areas, like the barrier beaches, but we continue to work with fiber providers, as well as state and government agencies to coordinate on priority restoration where possible. We will not stop until all service in impacted communities is restored.

In Polk County, where third party fiber providers suffered significant damage to the fiber backhaul, Verizon crews have successfully restored more than 80% of the network as of 5:45 pm EST.

Across the state, our teams are engaged in a massive 24/7 refueling operation to ensure those sites without commercial power remain in service for Verizon customers and first responders. Learn more about that here:

Standing on the Frontline

The Verizon Frontline Crisis Response Team continues to support  federal, state and local public safety agencies conducting response and recovery efforts in areas impacted by Hurricane Milton.  This team, composed primarily of former first responders and military personnel, is solely dedicated to supporting public safety customers during emergencies at no cost to the supported agencies.

So far, the Crisis Response Team has provided multiple solutions to public safety agencies across the affected area, including Polk County.

10.11.24 Update

Network Restoration

Crews worked overnight making steady progress in restoring hundreds of cell sites across the region, providing some overlapping coverage even in the areas with heavy impact. We also continue to deploy temporary satellite assets to restore critical connectivity across the region. It’s important for customers to understand that overlapping coverage and satellite links have far less capacity than the fiber typically used for connecting cell sites to the rest of the network. Customers may experience slower speeds and capacity constraints until fiber connections can be restored, so we recommend using text and call, and to avoid data-heavy applications.

For today, our focus is on continued restoration along the coast from Pasco County down to Lee County. The barrier islands and beach areas remain a challenge for access, but our engineers are engaged and working very closely with local power providers, telco vendors, local emergency operation centers, first responders, local and state government agencies to prioritize wireless service and provide our customers with essential connectivity.

Additionally, third party fiber providers suffered significant damage to the fiber backhaul serving Polk County, FL, resulting in impacts to service for our customers. Our engineers are engaged and working to quickly and aggressively deploy temporary satellite network assets to provide connectivity while the fiber is being restored.

How you can help

Debris clean up and property repair are important tasks after a storm, but it’s important to not touch or cut any cable that may have been displaced due to high winds or flooding. Before beginning to clean up and make repairs, call 811 or visit call811.com to determine where fiber or other cables may be. Contacting 811 before any clean up project, large or small, is the easiest step toward reducing the chance of damaging fiber - whether underground or aerial - and keeping customers and first responders connected in critical moments.

10.10.24 Afternoon Update

Network Impact

While we have already seen improvements in the areas of St. Lucie County, Charlotte County, Pinellas County, Eastern Manatee County, Pine Island, Venice and Sarasota, we recognize there are still customers experiencing service impacts. With power outages widespread throughout Florida, many cell sites are running on backup power as designed, and massive refueling operations are underway to ensure those sites without commercial power remain in service for Verizon customers and first responders.

Many fiber cables, the cables that connect cell sites to the rest of the network, have been damaged so we are working to restore connections to cell sites as quickly as possible. We have begun the process of deploying several alternate connections and moving temporary satellite network assets from the safety of our staging areas into the areas of impact.

Additionally, a third party fiber provider suffered significant damage to the fiber backhaul serving Polk County, resulting in impacts to service for our customers. Our engineers are engaged and working to quickly and aggressively deploy temporary satellite network assets to provide connectivity while the fiber is being restored.

Relief for Impacted Customers

In response to Hurricane Milton’s impact on Florida, Verizon is providing an initial relief offer to help affected customers. From Oct. 9th to Oct. 23rd, Verizon will waive domestic call, text, and data usage for postpaid consumer and Verizon Small Business customers in impacted Florida counties.

Verizon’s Value brands, including Straight Talk, Tracfone, Total Wireless, Simple Mobile, Walmart Family Mobile, Net10, GoSmart, Page Plus, and Verizon Prepaid are extending service end dates to October 23, 2024 for customers in impacted counties. Verizon will also waive domestic call, text, and data usage for Verizon Value Prepaid.

No action is needed— overages will be automatically credited.

Verizon Frontline Mobilizes to Support Public Safety Agencies in Hurricane Milton Recovery

The Verizon Frontline Crisis Response Team has been deployed to aid federal, state, and local public safety agencies in their response and recovery efforts following the devastation of Hurricane Milton. Comprising former first responders and military personnel, this dedicated team provides critical communications support to public safety agencies at no cost.

Verizon Frontline team members are setting up portable cell sites, Wi-Fi hotspots, free charging stations, and other essential devices, boosting network performance to ensure seamless communication for first responders in the affected areas.

Stay Connected with Satellite Messaging

In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, satellite communications have proven to be an important communication tool when terrestrial services have been impacted. Make sure your phone is ready in advance. Customers with an iPhone 14 or newer should upgrade to iOS 18 to ensure they can send text messages or connect with emergency services via satellite. And for those with Google Pixel 9 devices, emergency messaging is also available via satellite. Both operating systems have demos available allowing customers practice in messaging via satellite in advance. Learn more, here.

10.10.24 Morning Update

Impact to the network

With power outages widespread throughout Florida, many cell sites are running on backup power, as designed, to ensure those sites without commercial power remain in service for Verizon customers and first responders.

Customers in Florida are seeing network impacts along the coastline from Hernando County down to Collier County, as well as the areas of Polk County, Volusia County and St. Lucie County. The fiber infrastructure, needed to carry data traffic from cell sites to the core command centers of the network, was damaged in some areas with a number of cuts from the high winds, debris and flooding caused by the storm. Teams are evaluating alternate connections to bring those sites back online and will then begin aggressively deploying temporary satellite network assets.

Ahead of the storm, Verizon's engineers undertook steadfast preparation measures to ensure resources were in place for rapid response. An extensive fleet of portable network assets were staged across the region. For sites which are currently not in service across the impacted communities, site assessments, repairs, and the deployment of temporary satellite network assets will begin as soon as it is safe to do so. Verizon crews and vendors will be working around the clock to restore service as quickly as possible.

Additional Mission-Critical Support

The Verizon Frontline Crisis Response Team continues to communicate with federal, state and local public safety agencies during response and recovery efforts. Once it is safe to do so, members of the team will move into impacted areas to provide mission-critical communications support to first responders as they conduct search and rescue and emergency response operations.

In-person Support

Hurricane Milton has led to the closure of some stores or altered hours in Florida. Please check our store locator page for the most up to date information.

10.9.24 Evening Update

Mission-Critical Communications Support for Public Safety

Members of the Verizon Frontline Crisis Response Team remain on standby just outside Hurricane Milton's predicted path and continue to communicate with federal, state and local public safety agencies to ensure that they have the mission-critical communications capabilities they need as they prepare for the storm’s impact. Following landfall, the team is prepared to move into impacted regions as soon as it is safe to do so to support the communications needs of first responders as they conduct response and recovery operations. The Verizon Frontline Crisis Response Team, which is composed primarily of former first responders and military personnel, is solely dedicated to supporting public safety customers during emergencies at no cost to the supported agencies.

Stay Connected with Satellite Messaging

In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, satellite communications have proven to be an important communication tool when terrestrial services have been impacted. Make sure your phone is ready in advance. Customers with an iPhone 14 or newer should upgrade to iOS 18 to ensure they can send text messages or connect with emergency services via satellite. And for those with Google Pixel 9 devices, emergency messaging is also available via satellite. Both operating systems have demos available allowing customers practice in messaging via satellite in advance. Learn more, here.

10.9.24 Update

Verizon’s Assets in Place

With the storm quickly headed towards the state of Florida, Verizon is now staging its extensive fleet of mobile network solutions, including an array of satellite assets and portable generators. Verizon has readied its network engineers, Frontline Crisis Response Managers, DIRT (Dedicated Impact Response Team) and MERIT (Major Emergency Response Incident Team) members, who are prepared to deploy to the region and begin restoration work as soon as it is safe to do so. The organization is also working very closely with local power providers, telco vendors, local emergency operation centers, first responders, local and state government agencies to prioritize wireless service and ensure customers maintain essential connectivity.

Relief for Impacted Customers

In response to Hurricane Milton’s forecasted impact on Florida, Verizon is providing an initial relief offer to help affected customers. From Oct. 9th to Oct. 23rd, Verizon will waive domestic call, text, and data usage for postpaid consumer and Verizon Small Business customers* in impacted Florida counties.

Customers do not have to take any action to take advantage of the offer. No action is needed— overages will be automatically credited.* This offer extends to all postpaid consumer and Verizon Small Business customers in the affected counties. No action is needed— overages will be automatically credited.

*Verizon small business customers include customers with 50 lines or less.

10.8.24 Update

Verizon’s Network is Ready

In addition to a hardened network designed to withstand the most extreme conditions, Verizon's engineers are undertaking steadfast preparation measures to ensure resources are in place for rapid response. Verizon engineers have prepared by conducting thorough checks, as well as ensuring backup systems, like batteries and generators, are operational and refueled. Verizon has also installed liaisons at area Emergency Operations Centers for seamless partnership and is in regular communication with local, state, and government agencies, as well as power and fiber providers to ensure a rapid restoration.

In preparation for potential network recovery operations, Verizon has staged in close proximity an extensive fleet of mobile solutions, including satellite-based portable network assets, providing crucial connectivity in scenarios where fiber connections are compromised, as well as mobile generators to assist communities in the result of commercial power loss. We also have at the ready a number of watercraft, including a barge and airboats, to access hard-to-reach barrier islands.

Mission Critical Communications Support for Public Safety

Members of the Verizon Frontline Crisis Response Team have moved into position just outside Hurricane Milton's predicted path and stand ready to move into impacted areas as soon as it is safe to do so to help ensure public safety agencies on the front lines of response and recovery efforts have the mission-critical communications capabilities needed to achieve their missions. This team, composed primarily of former first responders and military personnel, is solely dedicated to supporting public safety customers during emergencies at no cost to the supported agencies.

As Hurricane Milton nears Florida, other members of the Verizon Frontline Crisis Response Team continue to support public safety agencies in the wake of Hurricane Helene. During the ongoing response, this team has responded to requests for communications support from more than 150 federal, state and local public safety agencies, delivering more than 500 solutions including drones, smartphones, routers, mobile hotspots, and portable satellite assets in support of emergency response and recovery operations.

ALPHARETTA, GA – As Hurricane Milton approaches the Florida coast, Verizon remains committed to keeping communities and first responders connected. In addition to a hardened network designed to withstand the most extreme conditions, Verizon's engineers undertook steadfast preparation measures to ensure resources are in place for rapid response.

“At Verizon, our top priority is supporting the communities we serve. Our responsiveness and partnership at times of crises truly matters” said Atlantic South Market President, Leigh Anne Lanier. “From families, to businesses, to first responders, we are here to provide the reliable service they can count on. Our team is working tirelessly to keep our customers connected now and in the days ahead.”

In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, satellite communications have proven to be an important communication tool when terrestrial services have been impacted. Make sure your phone is ready in advance. Customers with an iPhone 14 or newer should upgrade to iOS 18 to ensure they can send text messages or connect with emergency services via satellite. And for those with Google Pixel 9 devices, emergency messaging is also available via satellite. Both operating systems have demos available allowing customers practice in messaging via satellite in advance. Learn more, here.

Verizon’s networks are primed

Verizon's networks are primed to maintain connectivity even in the face of extreme weather conditions. With redundancy built into critical paths and components, Verizon's network is engineered with the goal of withstanding severe weather. Verizon engineers have prepared by conducting thorough checks, as well as ensuring backup systems, like batteries and generators, are operational and refueled. Verizon has also installed liaisons at area Emergency Operations Centers to allow seamless partnership with local, state, and government agencies to ensure a rapid restoration.

In preparation for potential network recovery operations, Verizon has staged in close proximity a fleet of portable network solutions, including satellite-based portable network assets, providing crucial connectivity in scenarios where fiber connections are compromised, as well as mobile generators to assist communities in the result of commercial power loss.

Verizon Frontline stands at the ready, prepared to assist first responders in any capacity needed

The Verizon Frontline Crisis Response Team stands ready to help ensure that public safety agencies on the front line of any potential disaster have the mission-critical communications capabilities needed to achieve their missions. This team, composed primarily of former first responders and military personnel, is solely dedicated to supporting public safety customers during emergencies at no cost to the supported agencies.

In the first nine months of 2024, the Verizon Frontline Crisis Response Team has responded to more than 1,000 requests for mission-critical communications support from more than 500 different agencies in 46 states.

Being prepared is essential to support local businesses and communities

Recognizing the critical role of connectivity in business continuity, Verizon Business provides a suite of solutions tailored for seamless operations during emergencies. Businesses and government organizations need the right game plan. Suggested actions include:

• Mitigate customer disruption: Think about what you need to ensure continuous service to your customers, and what software and equipment your business needs to continue operations. Make a detailed list, including service contracts and warranty information, and all pertinent phone numbers for local authorities, utility companies, suppliers, and vendors.
• The right tech makes an impact: Ensure you have the right technology to support your business connectivity needs assuming you might need to move away from your primary location.
• Contacts and documents are key: Make sure you have contact information updated and readily available for all employees, including at-home information for remote workers and branch information for satellite offices.
• Test, test, and test again: Stress-test primary and backup networks and shore up any weak areas.
• Keep track of equipment: Ensure employees working from home have documented all corporate equipment being used to work from home in case of damage or loss.
• Have a backup plan: Ensure backup plans are in place to shift work in case work-from-home employees in a storm-impacted area have to evacuate their homes or their home loses commercial power.

Are you hurricane ready?

Verizon’s team works year-round to ensure customers remain connected to their loved ones and the activities that provide comfort during a disaster. As residents prepare to stay connected and entertained, consider these tips:

• Stock Up on power supplies like batteries for flashlights and radios or device chargers. Take it a step further by charging your devices that can act as chargers for other devices like laptops and power stations. Don’t forget to ensure you have the cables!
• Download movies, books, apps and games in case of a power outage. Or gather board games, card games, and puzzles to go device-free.
• Locate important documents that you may need later as well as sentimental photos and items.
• Plan non-perishable meals. Keep a few non-perishable ingredients, like a manual can opener and other kitchen tools on hand.
• Grab some candles, blankets, pillows, or anything that makes your hurricane safe space comfortable.
• Read up on the American Red Cross’ hurricane preparedness tips.
• Bookmark our Check Network Status page or go to My Verizon app and click Support Topics to notify us if you experience any network issues or to check to see if there are any known issues in your area. Enter your location, select the type of service issue, and we will provide a real time status update.

Más información

Visit Verizon's Online Emergency Resource Center, verizon.com/about/news/emergency-resource-center, for further details on Verizon's emergency response capabilities.