AT&T Prepares for Hurricane Lowell, Shares Tips to Help Customers Stay Connected
Key Takeaways:
- AT&T teams are preparing for Hurricane Lowell in Hawaii.
- The AT&T Weather Operations Center is monitoring conditions to help reduce possible impacts to our network, while prioritizing employee safety.
- FirstNet®, Built with AT&T – America’s public safety network – is deploying personnel to Hawaii ahead of potential landfall.
We're tracking Hurricane Lowell as it moves closer to Hawaii. AT&T is preparing to help keep customers, first responders, and communities connected. Our Network and AT&T Network Disaster Recovery (NDR) teams are completing their preparedness checklists, while the AT&T Weather Operations Center monitors conditions to help reduce possible impacts to our network, while prioritizing employee safety.
Current network preparations include:
- Deploying and refueling generators at our cell sites and switch facilities in the anticipated impact area.
- Testing back-up batteries at cell sites.
- Protecting our physical facilities against flooding.
“Our priority during any disaster is the safety of our employees and keeping first responders, our customers, and communities connected,” said Corey Anthony, SVP – Network Operations, AT&T. “Our disaster recovery teams prepare throughout the year for moments like this and are prepared to deploy network equipment, as needed. We’re also closely linked with public officials in their storm response efforts.”
AT&T’s NDR program is the largest in the country. We have more than 750 pieces of specialized response equipment available for quick deployment if needed:
- Mobile cell sites and mobile command centers
- Flying COWs® (Cell on Wings)
- Drones for assessing cell site damage
- Emergency communications vehicles
- Technology and support trailers to provide infrastructure support and mobile heating ventilation and air conditioning
- Internal and external resources for initial assessment and recovery efforts
Additionally, the FirstNet Response Operations Group™ (ROG) – led by a dedicated team of former first responders – is deploying to Hawaii ahead of potential landfall, working around the clock to support public safety’s emergency communications and has liaisons engaged with local and federal agencies. From tsunamis and flash floods to wildfires and volcanic eruptions, Hawaii is uniquely exposed to natural disasters. Based on local public safety’s direct feedback, as part of the dedicated FirstNet fleet, we have long had deployable assets stationed year-round across Hawaii – our commercial competitors can’t say the same.
In addition to the 750+ AT&T assets, no other provider has deployable network assets dedicated solely and exclusively to public safety. There are more than 190 land-based and airborne portable cell sites available to public safety on FirstNet at no additional charge. Agencies can request emergency deployable support via FirstNet Central or by calling dedicated FirstNet care at 800.574.7000.
We encourage customers and residents in potentially impacted areas to prepare now. Below are a few quick tips to help you stay connected. For more information, visit https://about.att.com/pages/disaster-recovery/planning-ahead.
- Use satellite if needed: iPhone 14+ (iOS 16.1/18): Emergency services & messages via satellite / Google Pixel 9: Text emergency services via satellite. For more information on availability and how to use, visit here for iPhone and here for Pixel.
- Save battery life: During a power outage, use power-save mode, turn off Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, delete unused apps, or enable Airplane Mode.
- Keep mobile devices charged: Fully charge devices before a weather event and keep backup power, like a car charger, battery pack, or multi-port charger, handy.
- Keep your mobile devices dry: Protect phones in a water-resistant case, floating waterproof case, or a sealed plastic bag.
- Protect vital documents: Store insurance and medical papers to the cloud or computer for easy access from any device.
- Have a family communications plan: Review the plan with your family and choose an out-of-area contact in case your family is separated.
- Update emergency contacts: Store key numbers in your phone (police, fire, hospital, family).
- Stay informed: Use mobile devices for weather updates if home phones go out.
- Take advantage of your smartphone’s features: Photograph and record any damage for insurance claims. Use GPS to help find evacuation routes or track a family member’s location.
- Limit non-emergency calls: High call volumes can cause delays; hang up and try again if needed.
- Try texting: Texts often go through faster than calls during network congestion.
