ALPHARETTA, Ga., May 22, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Georgia is
vulnerable to storms and hurricanes that form in the Atlantic Ocean
and the Gulf of Mexico, and with
hurricanes comes possible tornadoes and severe flooding.
With the 2015 hurricane season officially underway as of
June 1, Georgians should be preparing
an emergency communication plan to keep their families safe and in
touch during any severe weather event.
Verizon Wireless, the nation's largest wireless carrier, offers
these tips to keep in touch and out of danger during storm
season:
- Keep phones, tablets, batteries, chargers and other equipment
in a dry, accessible location. Simple zip-lock storage bags
will shield devices, and today there are many waterproof phones,
cases and other protective accessories.
- Keep phone and tablet batteries fully charged – in case local
power is lost – well before warnings are issued.
- Have additional charged batteries and car-charger adapters
available for back-up power. Numerous chargers, including
solar-powered devices, make it easy to stay powered up.
- Maintain a list of emergency numbers – police and fire
agencies; power and insurance companies; family, friends and
co-workers; etc. – and program them into your wireless devices
before an emergency arises.
- Distribute wireless phone numbers to family members and
friends.
- Use your tablet to conveniently photograph and catalogue your
valuables and other household belongings for possible insurance
claims.
- Access dozens of free weather-, news- and safety-related
services for smartphones and tablets. With 4G LTE technology, users
can enjoy high-speed downloads, high-definition pictures and video,
and advanced performance in a broad array of these
applications.
According to a survey conducted by Ready Georgia in April 2014, one-third of Georgians report they
have personally experienced a large-scale disaster. Additionally,
70 percent of Georgia residents
believe they have a duty to help each other during an emergency.
One simple way to accomplish this is to keep lines of communication
open for emergency situations and first responders. Once a storm is
on the way, Verizon Wireless suggests the following tips for
enhanced emergency communications and safety:
- Limit non-emergency calls to conserve battery power and free-up
wireless networks for emergency agencies and operations.
- Send brief text messages rather than voice calls.
- Forward your home phone calls to your wireless number if you
evacuate.
- Check weather and news reports on wireless phone applications –
like the Ready Georgia mobile app, or apps from aid and
relief organizations such as the American Red Cross' apps for
first-aid, hurricane and shelter and FEMA's Commercial Mobile Alert
System (CMAS) – when power is out.
"Georgia regularly faces many
types of natural disasters year round including hurricanes,
tornadoes, severe storms, wildfires and floods. Wireless technology
can help people stay prepared and safe in a storm. It is critical
for Georgians to remain vigilant and be prepared," said
Jonathan LeCompte, president of
Verizon Wireless' Georgia/Alabama
Region.
Over the course of 2014, Verizon Wireless invested more than
$227 million in network enhancements
across Georgia including 145 new
cell sites across the Peach State and the continued rollout of the
company's XLTE technology. The company's ongoing network investment
in Georgia now totals more than
$2.5 billion since the company was
formed in 2000.
"We have a relentless focus on providing our customers with the
most reliable network possible. No matter what is happening, be it
large scale events or natural disasters, Georgians expect our
network to deliver," said LeCompte.
About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the
nation's largest and most reliable 4G LTE network. As the
largest wireless company in the U.S., Verizon Wireless serves 108.2
million retail customers, including 102.1 million retail postpaid
customers. Verizon Wireless is wholly owned by Verizon
Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ). For more information,
visit www.verizonwireless.com. For the latest news and
updates about Verizon Wireless, visit our News Center at
http://www.verizonwireless.com/news or follow us on Twitter at
http://twitter.com/VZWNews.
To view the original version on PR Newswire,
visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/as-2015-hurricane-season-begins-georgia-residents-urged-to-prepare-wireless-communication-plans-300087620.html
SOURCE Verizon Wireless