Verizon waives charges for Hurricane Lowell, network team responds

• The Verizon network provided reliable connectivity throughout the storm, keeping customers connected when it mattered most.
• We are offering relief to our Consumer, Value and Small Business customers across Kauaʻi.

Year-round planning and advanced prep ensured the Verizon network remained resilient throughout the storm, keeping customers connected when it mattered most. Engineers monitored network performance 24/7, and stood ready to respond with mobile and satellite assets, portable generators and hands-on support where needed. And the work doesn’t stop now that the storm has passed. Teams will continue monitoring performance, while also looking for opportunities to further reinforce the network infrastructure so we’re ready for what comes next.

• Additional Verizon disaster response team members have arrived on Kauaʻi to help with network repairs. Site inspections are underway, majority complete. Commercial power outages remain a barrier to full restoration.
• We are offering relief to our Consumer, Value and Small Business customers across Kauaʻi.
• For Verizon branded Authorized Retailer store hours, please check our store locator page for the most up-to-date information.

The Verizon network remains resilient across Hawaiʻi, though commercial power outages and equipment impacts from flood waters and strong winds have led to wireless service disruption for some customers in Kauaʻi.

Verizon network and engineering teams are actively responding to service disruptions caused by Hurricane Lowell, with a sole focus on Kauaʻi restoration efforts.

This work is taking place despite ongoing access challenges caused by storm debris and severe weather conditions:

• Site inspections: Technical teams completed physical site surveys for all accessible critical locations. Crews have visited the majority of out-of-service sites so far, with efforts underway today to gain entry to the final sites.
• Power & infrastructure: Full restoration is dependent on commercial power. While Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative (KIUC) works to restore power as quickly as possible, Verizon is deploying portable generators to accessible locations for temporary power restoration of cell sites and has arranged for ongoing refueling operations to keep generators running.

Verizon engineers and Disaster Incident Response Team members will remain on the ground working in close coordination with local power providers, emergency management agencies, and first responders around the clock until full connectivity is restored.

• We are extending our offer to help Consumer, Value and Small Business customers across Kauaʻi through October 7, 2026.
• Both of our Verizon branded Authorized Retailer stores on Kauaʻi will remain closed today for the safety of our employees and customers. Please check our store locator page for the most up-to-date information.

Verizon will expand our offer to customers impacted by Hurricane Lowell until Oct. 7, 2026. Verizon is waiving domestic call, text, and data charges for Verizon prepaid ^*  and postpaid consumer customers as well as small business customers ^**  to customers on Kauaʻi. Customers do not have to take any action to take advantage of the offer.

Both of our Verizon branded Authorized Retailer stores on Kauaʻi will remain closed today for the safety of our employees and customers. Please check our store locator page for the most up-to-date information as store hours may fluctuate.

We will continue to provide updates as the situation evolves. To automatically receive updates as they are posted, please visit our News Alerts Signup page or check back here regularly for the latest information.

• Our network remains resilient for our customers across Kauaʻi and O‘ahu.
• Both of our Verizon Victra-operated stores on Kauaʻi will remain closed today for the safety of our employees and customers. Please check our store locator page for the most up-to-date information.
• We are offering relief to our Consumer, Value and Small Business customers across Kauaʻi through Sept. 14.

The Verizon network remains resilient, though Hurricane Lowell has caused some localized service impacts on Kauaʻi and O‘ahu. The Kapaʻa/Wailua and Princeville/Hanalei areas were the hardest hit and will have the most coverage challenges right now. Two Disaster Incident Response Team Members are on the ground to assist the local team, and our emergency teams continue to monitor conditions 24/7.

To help our customers impacted by Hurricane Lowell, Verizon is waiving domestic call, text, and data charges for Verizon prepaid ^*  and postpaid consumer customers as well as small business customers ^**  to customers on Kauaʻi through September 14.

Customers do not have to take any action to take advantage of the offer.

Both of our Verizon Victra-operated stores on Kauaʻi will remain closed today for the safety of our employees and customers. Please check our store locator page for the most up-to-date information as store hours may fluctuate.

We will continue to provide updates as the situation evolves. To automatically receive updates as they are posted, please visit our News Alerts Signup page or check back here regularly for the latest information.

• Customer relief offer: We are waiving calling, texting and data charges on Kauaʻi to help our consumer and small business customers connect with loved ones.
• Strengthened network infrastructure: We have prepared our Hawaiʻi network with backup generators, satellite assets, and pre-staged equipment designed for reliability during severe weather.
• Satellite messaging: Verizon customers can maintain essential communications via satellite, allowing compatible phones to send text messages or connect with emergency services.
• Proactive collaboration: We are working directly with the Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency (HIEMA), local power providers, and public safety officials to support critical infrastructure.
• Customer resources: We offer essential digital preparedness steps to help residents and businesses stay connected and secure ahead of the storm.

HONOLULU, HI.—As Major Hurricane Lowell approaches Hawaiʻi, Verizon will waive domestic call, text, and data charges. This relief offer applies through September 14 for prepaid ^*  and postpaid consumer customers as well as small business customers ^**  throughout Kaua’i.

Customers do not have to take any action to take advantage of the offer.

In addition, Verizon has taken proactive, on-the-ground measures across the islands to protect connectivity. The company’s focus: keeping customers, local businesses and public safety partners connected when it matters most.

“We know how stressful it is for the people of Hawaiʻi to brace for yet another storm,” said Aimee Novak, West Area President for Verizon. “Our commitment to this community is enduring and our focus right now is keeping you connected to the people and services that matter most. With Hurricane Lowell approaching, our response teams remain fully activated, and we owe a massive thank you to the local crews working around the clock to support this community once again.”

Verizon’s network infrastructure in Hawaiʻi is engineered to withstand severe weather. A significant portion is backed by fully refueled permanent site generators providing multiple days of backup power reserves. At sites without permanent generators, we have portable generators and other backup solutions available for deployment. To further reinforce operational resilience against potential disruptions, Verizon engineers have satellite assets available to dispatch as needed.

Verizon is working directly with local power companies, the Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency (HIEMA), and state public safety officials. The company remains on constant standby to safeguard critical communications.

Hurricane Lowell is the third tropical system this year to threaten the state, but with the size and strength of this storm, it’s especially important residents finalize their personal digital preparedness plans:

1. Charge devices: Keep all mobile devices, tablets, and portable power banks fully charged well before storm watches or warnings are issued for your location.
2. Protect your gear: Place phones, chargers, and external batteries in waterproof accessories or heavy-duty zip-lock bags to safeguard them against floodwaters or rain.
3. Establish a communication plan: Coordinate a dedicated ohana (family) emergency plan and save key emergency contact numbers directly to your devices.
4. Check on your kūpuna (elders): To ensure their devices are charged and they have an emergency communication plan in place.
5. Secure visual backups: Take photos of your home, vehicle, and valuables for insurance purposes. Ensure these images are uploaded to the cloud so you can access them even if your phone is lost or damaged.
6. Utilize digital resources: Download critical weather tracking, news, and American Red Cross safety apps ahead of time.
7. Mitigate customer disruption: List critical software, equipment, service contracts and vital contacts (utilities, vendors, authorities) needed to maintain operations. Review coverage with your insurance agent to eliminate gaps.
8. Contacts and documents are key: Centralize updated contact info for all staff (including remote and satellite offices) and keep accessible, secure copies of your insurance policies.
9. Keep track of equipment: Maintain an inventory of all corporate hardware deployed to remote employees to streamline claims for potential loss or damage.
10. The right tech makes an impact: Secure the mobile-ready technology and infrastructure needed to maintain business connectivity if you are forced to relocate.
11.  Have a backup plan: Establish a protocol to immediately reroute workloads if remote employees lose power or face evacuation.

Should terrestrial services become unavailable, Verizon encourages customers with compatible satellite-enabled devices (such as iPhone 14 or newer running iOS 18+, or Google Pixel 9 or newer) to test emergency satellite messaging features before the storm begins to cause impacts.

Verizon will continue monitoring Hurricane Lowell and will provide local network status updates as necessary. Customers can track real-time network status using the Check Network Status tool on Verizon’s website or directly within the My Verizon mobile app.

Visit the Emergency Resource Center for further details on Verizon’s emergency response capabilities.