October 24, 2016

When They Destroy, We Deploy: NDR 2016 by the Numbers

By Bill Hogg

Natural disasters happen. It’s inevitable.

When chaos hits, the first thing we want to do is let those we care about know we’re okay – or call for help. But in the wake of a disaster, this can be challenging. Hurricane Matthew is fresh in the mind of the country, but it’s not the only event to strike this year. From ravaging floods in Louisiana and West Virginia to devastating wildfires in California, AT&T has been there.

Whether it’s wind, rain or fire, our local response teams along with our Network Disaster Recovery (NDR) team are ready to restore service, charge devices and offer help.

We rolled into different parts of the country this year to provide strong coverage for first responders and residents. Other teams brought in water, emergency kits, charging stations, tablets and mobile hotspots so people could reach their loved ones.

Our disaster recovery team spans the country. Many live close to the communities where they’re deployed. They know life isn’t just about phone calls, video chats and text messages—it’s about the people behind them.

Let’s take a look back at some of the natural disasters we responded to in 2016.

Oct. 7, 2016 – Hurricane Matthew (FL, GA, NC, SC)

More than 1,000 employees involved in network prep and response
15,000 gallons of fuel on standby
4,000 generators staged
52 Cell on Wheels (COWs)
6 Charging Stations
5 Emergency Communications Vehicles (ECVs)

Gap Fire, Hurricane Hermine, Clayton Fire, Flooding in Baton Rouge, Pine Fire, Trailhead Fire, Flooding in Charleston and West Virginia, Erskine Fire, Wildfire in Upstate NY, Flooding in St. Louis