Top Tips to Stay Connected During Hurricane Season  

Prepare To Stay Connected This Hurricane Season With the Following Tips   

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has just released its 2025 forecast for the Atlantic hurricane season, which starts June 1. This year’s predictions indicate an “above average” season. Here’s what you need to do to safeguard your technology for your home or business during potential storms. 

 NOAA’s 2025 forecast includes: 

• 13-19 named storms 

• 6-10 hurricanes 

• 3-5 major hurricanes (category 3 or higher) 

Hurricane Season Key Dates 

• Start Date: June 1 

• End Date: November 30 

• Peak Activity: Mid-August to mid-October 

How Comcast Prepares For Storms 

Teams of dedicated technicians take action to prepare for storms ahead of time. Tony Speller, Senior Vice President of Technical Operations and Engineering for Comcast’s Central Division recently shared with NCTA, “Once we determine the threat [of weather], we turn up a disaster management team. In our division alone, we have over 700 technicians who are on call at any given moment. We call them ‘Storm Team One’; they can be deployed anywhere in the division at any time once an incident occurs.” 

Once severe weather hits, our teams continue to monitor disasters and coordinate information. This may include bringing in techs from other regions to help repair damage to our network and working with utility companies to determine when it is safe to begin repairs. Downed power lines can be extremely dangerous, so power companies are the first to repair their lines. Once the power companies give their all-clear, response teams can begin repairs. 

  

Tips for Storm Preparedness in the South 

It’s important for you, your family and employees to be prepared and safe during weather events.

As a tech user, here’s how you can prepare your home for a loss of Internet or service interruptions: 

1. Xfinity App:  

• Get updates on outages, report service interruptions, view a map of all available Xfinity WiFi hotspots, and securely auto-connect to them.  

2. Enroll in Text Alerts & Follow us on Social Media: 

• Sign in to the Xfinity app or Xfinity.com to update your contact information, including your mobile phone number. 

• Receive text alerts about service interruptions by texting START to 266278 (COMCAST). 

• Follow Comcast South on Facebook and X for storm updates. 

3. Download the Xfinity Stream App: 

• Stay informed during storms by watching live local news reports on any device using the Xfinity Stream app. 

4. Check Your Data Plan: 

• Use the Xfinity Mobile app to adjust your data plan or upgrade it to turn your phone into a hotspot. 

For Business Owners:  

1. Comcast Business App:  

• For business customers, the Comcast Business app will help you stay up to date on your service status. You can also use the app to forward calls to your home or mobile phone if your office needs to close for inclement weather.  

2. Enroll in Text Alerts:  

• Sign into the Comcast Business app or business.comcast.com to update your contact information, including your mobile phone number. 

• Receive text alerts about service interruptions by texting START to 26-244 (Comcast Business).   

3. Find Hotspots Near You 

• Comcast Business customers are able to connect to Xfinity mobile hotpots. Simply sign in to your account and find a hotspot near you. 

Additional Tips to Prepare for Hurricanes and Storms  

• Surge Protectors: Plug TVs, modems, and cable boxes into surge protectors to prevent damage from lightning or sudden power outages. 

• Higher Ground: Move your hardware off the floor and make sure the location is stable. In case your floor floods or a filing cabinet gets knocked over, you want to make sure your devices stay safe. 

• Restoration Priority: Understand that electricity restoration takes precedence. Comcast crews need clearance before restoring Xfinity services. 

• Device Resets: If you have electricity but no Xfinity services, restart or reset devices (gateways, modems, routers, cable boxes). 

• Safety First: Stay clear of downed power and cable lines. 

• Phone Preparedness: 

• Keep your phone charged and dry. 

• Program emergency contact numbers and emails. 

• During the storm, opt for texts over calls (they require fewer network resources). 

Create an Emergency Communication Plan 

Create a list of important contacts, including family members, neighbors, local emergency services, and utility companies. Next, designate a primary and secondary method of communication during an emergency. This can include texting, calling, or using a communication app. Ensure that everyone knows how to use these methods, and identify an out-of-town contact in case local communication lines are down.  

Businesses can stay prepared during inclement weather by implementing a comprehensive crisis contingency plan. This plan outlines the steps to take before, during, and after a storm, ensuring all employees are aware of their roles and responsibilities. Additionally, businesses can maintain operations through remote work solutions. By utilizing VPNs, collaboration tools like Microsoft Teams and Zoom, and cloud-based services, companies can ensure continuity even during adverse weather conditions. 

Severe weather can strike the South year-round. By following these guidelines, you’ll be better prepared to weather any storm while staying connected and informed. Stay safe!