Verizon prepares network for potential tropical storm; Customer relief through August 31

• Ensuring connectivity and continuous monitoring: Verizon engineering teams are working around the clock between storms - monitoring conditions 24/7, keeping backup generators fueled, and restaging mobile assets across the islands as a potential tropical storm nears Hawaiʻi.
• Satellite messaging: Verizon customers can maintain essential communications via satellite, allowing compatible phones to send text messages or connect with emergency services.
• Customer relief: In advance of the storm, Verizon will continue to offer relief to its consumer, value and postpaid customers along with its small business customers* through August 31.

HONOLULU, HI.—Following Hurricane Lala last week, Verizon is preparing for another tropical storm, nearing Hawaiʻi this weekend. Verizon continues to deploy critical resources and teams across the islands. The company keeps residents, businesses, and public safety partners connected when it matters most.

“We know that facing back-to-back storms in such a short window is incredibly taxing for our communities,” said Aimee Novak, West Area President for Verizon. “While our engineering teams continue around-the-clock restoration efforts from Hurricane Lala we are simultaneously preparing for the next system. Saturated ground and ongoing commercial power disruptions present real challenges, but our highest priority remains keeping Hawaiʻi’s residents, emergency responders, and businesses connected.”

Following the power outages, wind damage, and flooding caused by Hurricane Lala, Verizon network teams have been on the ground conducting physical repairs, realigning equipment, and keeping backup generators fueled.

As this next storm approaches, Verizon is taking additional steps to maintain network resilience:

• Continuous backup power: Permanent site generators across the islands have been topped off with multi-day fuel reserves, and portable generators remain deployed in areas where commercial power is still recovering.

• Mobile & satellite deployment: To support communities impacted by power loss or fiber disruptions, Verizon has satellite assets and mobile network equipment staged and ready to deploy as conditions allow.

• Emergency messaging readiness: While Verizon’s network is built to handle the unexpected, satellite communications provide backup if terrestrial services fail. 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 and familiarize themselves with emergency satellite messaging features before the storm makes landfall.

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

Following Hurricane Lala’s impacts, Verizon will keep its relief offerings. Consumer and postpaid customers throughout Hawaii will receive waived charges and extended data access. Small business customers also qualify for the relief program.

For customers across Verizon’s value brands, including Straight Talk, Tracfone, Total Wireless, Walmart Family Mobile, Page Plus, Simple Mobile, SafeLink Wireless, and Net10 Wireless, we are offering unlimited texting, talk and data usage throughout the state of Hawaiʻi through August 31.

For postpaid consumer customers as well as small business customers ^*  throughout the state of Hawaiʻi, Verizon will waive domestic call, text, and data charges through August 31.

Customers do not have to take any action to take advantage of the offer. Any overages for those whose billing cycles have already closed will be automatically credited back.

In addition to preparing your device for satellite messaging, customers are urged to update their personal digital preparedness plans:

1. Charge up early: 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.

Some Verizon-Victra stores may be temporarily closed or operating on adjusted hours due to local conditions and power impacts. Customers should check the store locator for the latest information.

Verizon will continue monitoring this storm 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.