Comcast is actively preparing for Hurricane Ian to ensure it can support customers and respond as quickly as possible to resolve any impact the storm may have on its network and services around Charleston and its surrounding areas, as well as in Aiken and North Augusta.
Preparations include staging emergency generators and fuel trucks as well as bringing in additional technical and network restoration teams that are ready to be deployed as the storm’s path becomes clearer.
There are also a few simple, easy things customers can do now to prepare and stay connected, even in bad weather. They can start by downloading Comcast’s free mobile apps:
- Xfinity — Get updates on outages and report service interruptions.
- Xfinity Stream — View live TV, get weather updates, and download shows and movies beforehand to watch offline in case you lose power.
- Xfinity WiFi Hotspots — Xfinity Internet customers can access millions of Xfinity WiFi hotspots available nationwide.
If the weather becomes severe enough, Comcast may send text alerts to customers with information about service interruptions or with tips for restoring their services. Customers can log in to My Account to make sure their mobile phone numbers are added.
Here are a few additional helpful tips and safety precautions:
- Customers should plug TV’s, modems, and cable boxes into a surge protector to protect them from damage in case of lightning or a sudden power outage.
- Emergency management procedures dictate that electricity must be restored first and Comcast must receive clearance that it is safe for our crews to begin any restoration work. Should customers experience a loss of service due to a power outage, local power must first be restored before Xfinity video, phone or internet services can begin working again.
- If customers have electricity but not Xfinity services, Comcast recommends that restarting or resetting devices, including wireless gateways, modems, routers, and cable boxes.
- In some cases, customers may have power back but not their Xfinity services because commercial power has not been restored to our network in that area.
- Customers should always stay clear of downed power and cable lines in the interest of safety.
- Keep cell phones dry and charged.
- Make sure all emergency contact numbers and emails are saved on mobile phones.
- Forward a home phone number to a mobile phone number so that customers can receive emergency calls even if they are not home.
- During the storm, text instead of calling—texts require fewer network resources.
Tips for Comcast Business customers:
- Download the Comcast Business App and enable ‘Be Anywhere’ to allow another device to make calls with a business’s Caller ID.
- Enable Call Forwarding so business calls can be received on mobile devices.
- Check that the battery backup is working so Voice Services will still be available during a power outage.
- Make sure Connection Pro services are set up correctly. The automatic wireless backup feature will help devices stay up and running.
Comcast is committed to helping customers stay connected to what’s most important to them — this hurricane season, and all year round.
For more information, customers can chat online with an agent, visit Xfinity.com/response or connect with Comcast on Twitter at @xfinitysupport.
