Committed to Connectivity: Verizon Prepares for Winter Storm Gianna
As the winter season continues to challenge our communities, Verizon stands ready to support those in the path of Winter Storm Gianna. Having just navigated the impacts of Winter Storm Fern, our teams remain vigilant and fully prepared to maintain the critical connections you depend on.
Standing Ready for the Southeast
Our network is engineered for resilience, especially during extreme weather events like the approaching winter storm. In the Southeast and across the country, we have taken extensive measures to ensure our customers and first responders stay connected:
- Proactive Site Preparation: Our network crews have been working around the clock to ensure high fuel levels for generators and to test battery backup systems at cell sites across the region.
- Backup Power Reliability: 100% of our macro cell sites are equipped with battery backup, and the vast majority feature onsite generators to maintain service during commercial power outages.
- Staged Emergency Assets: We have hundreds of mobile network and satellite assets, including mobile cell sites (COWs and COLTs) and generators (GOATs), ready to deploy to the hardest-hit areas as soon as it is safe.
- Support for First Responders: The Verizon Frontline Crisis Response Team is on standby to provide mission-critical communication support and dedicated network capacity to public safety agencies at no additional cost.
Essential Tips for Your Emergency Plan
While our engineers "run to the crisis" to keep the network running, we encourage our customers to take the following steps to prepare their own emergency communication plans:
- Keep Devices Protected: Store phones, chargers, and batteries in dry, accessible locations, using waterproof bags if necessary.
- Stay Charged: Ensure all wireless devices and backup batteries are fully charged well before the storm arrives.
- Update Your Contacts: Maintain a physical and digital list of emergency numbers, including local police, fire, and utility companies.
Our Commitment to You
Our hearts go out to those still recovering from Winter Storm Fern, and we want you to know that Verizon remains committed to your safety and connectivity. Whether it is through our network built for extreme situations or our dedicated technicians working in the field, we are here for you in the moments that matter most.
For real-time updates on network status in your area, please use the Check Network Status tool on our website or through the Verizon news center.
