Emergency Communications: Verizon offers data relief in Hurricane Irma impacted areas

To all of its Florida customers, Verizon Wireless is saying, “We’ve got your back.” Beginning at 12:01 a.m. Eastern on September 9 and running through midnight on September 11, Verizon is giving postpaid customers talk, text and data relief while prepaid customers receive an extra 3 GB of data.

Wireless communication is essential during severe weather, which is why the Verizon network team prepares year-round to ensure a strong performance during times like these.

Following this initial offer, Verizon will continue to closely monitor the storm’s path and impact and make additions and adjustments as needed, and will communicate those details as those decisions are made.

“We understand that our network is never more important than when disaster strikes,” said Russ Preite – president, Southeast Market for Verizon. “This offer is just one way that we are showing our commitment to the entire state of Florida as this historic superstorm continues on its path to make landfall there.”

Verizon call center reps to staff phones for hurricane relief

As people brace for Hurricane Irma’s impact, Texans are just beginning the process of rebuilding from Harvey. And thousands of Verizon call center representatives across the United States are preparing to lend their support to Tuesday night’s Hand in Hand: A Benefit for Hurricane Relief telethon.

As one of the underwriting partners of the event, Verizon is donating $2.5 million to the telethon as well as orchestrating the more than 2,000 call center volunteers taking phone donations during the live telecast. Verizon employees from these 18 wireless and landline call centers will be staffing the phones to take donations to benefit victims of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma:

•Albuquerque, N.M.
•Alpharetta, Ga.
•Chandler, Ariz.
•Charleston, S.C.
•Charlotte, N.C.
•Columbia, S.C.
•El Paso, Texas
•Greenville, S.C.
•Hilliard, Ohio
•Huntsville, Ala.
•Little Rock, Ark.
•Mankato, Minn.
•Murfreesboro, Tenn.
•Newport News, Va.
•Robbinsville, N.J.
•Rolling Meadows, Ill.
•Tampa, Fla.
•Wilmington, N.C.

“As one of the largest communications providers in the world, Verizon is in a unique position with both the people and network that make all the difference in the recovery and rebuilding efforts,” said John Stratton, executive vice president and president of Global Operations at Verizon. "These devastating storms have impacted our customers, employees, families, neighbors and the communities where we live and work. That’s why we’re so committed to working alongside partners like the Hand in Hand event to help return a sense of normalcy to these areas.”

In addition to ensuring the donations can be accepted and processed through call centers, viewers can also have the option to make a $25 donation to the Hand in Hand Hurricane Relief Fund by texting “GIVE” to 80077 on their mobile phones.