Comcast NBCUniversal Makes $600,000 Donation to Hurricane Helene Relief in Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia 

The donation aims to help residents and emergency personnel impacted by Hurricane Helene and continue providing vital resources to families, loved ones and employees to recover swiftly and safely. 

Atlanta, GA. – Oct. 3, 2024 – Comcast NBCUniversal today announced it will provide $600,000 in cash and in-kind contributions to multiple community organizations in Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia to support ongoing disaster relief and recovery efforts from Hurricane Helene. As the company works nonstop to repair network damage from the devastating storm, this commitment comes in partnership with NBCUniversal to ensure communities have vital resources available during these times of unexpected need. 

Comcast is working in tandem with government entities and elected officials to ensure aid reaches these communities as quickly as possible. These donations have allocated $100,000 to United Way of Augusta CSRA of Augusta, GA, $50,000 to The Salvation Army Savannah Corps of Savannah, GA, $50,000 to East Tennessee Foundation of Knoxville, TN and $10,000 to United Way of Southwest Virginia of Abingdon, VA. 

In addition to the relief funds, the organization has donated $400,000 worth of advertising time for Public Service Announcements (PSA) to Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia to keep customers, their families and loved ones informed on the latest developments following Hurricane Helene. 

“Thanks to Comcast’s generous contribution, we will be able to provide much-needed supplies and resources like water, medical aid, and food to many families in and around Augusta who were impacted by Hurricane Helene,” said Brittany Burnett, president and CEO of United Way of Augusta CSRA. “Comcast’s dedication to our community, especially during this time of need, will enable us to make an even bigger impact and help restore our residents and businesses.” 

“The impact of Hurricane Helene in our communities is unprecedented and our hearts go out to our customers, employees, their families and loved ones,” said Mike McArdle, Comcast Regional Senior Vice President. “We’re working consistently with our community partners to keep everyone connected, as well as provide crucial resources like food, water and fuel to those in need. We’re proud to be a close partner to the communities we serve.” 

Comcast working night and day to restore service in impacted areas 

In partnership with the City of Augusta and Georgia National Guard, Comcast has provided more than 1400 cases of water for families in Richmond County impacted by water pump damage. In addition, many Comcast employees from around the southeast region continue to volunteer in Augusta to pass out much-needed food, water and other vital resources.  

With thousands of generators prepared and placed across impacted regions to supply temporary power, Comcast has also opened more than 360,000 Xfinity WiFi Hotspots, including over 250,000 in Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee, to help everyone stay connected during this time. They are free to anyone who needs them, including non-Xfinity customers. 

For a map of public Xfinity WiFi hotspots, which are located both indoors and outdoors in places such as shopping districts, parks, and businesses, visit  Finder.wifi.xfinity.com. To find the nearest hotspot location in your city, please search the WiFi Hotspot Map. Enter your zip code, zoom in on the interactive map to view the results, and click on the locations for details. 

“Keeping impacted residents connected to their families and loved ones is mission-critical during our efforts to repair our network and alleviate pressure during severe weather,” added McArdle. “We are proud to make our Wi-Fi hotspot network available to all residents for free across Georgia and South Carolina during this challenging time.” 

Help Prevent New Communication Outages While We Recover – Don’t Cut the Fiber 

Restoring your ability to communicate during our recovery is a critical priority. Communication lines carry vital messages including 911 and emergency services, and provide access to the Internet, social media so that you can contact loved ones. Here are some tips to prevent further damage or outages as we recover: 

• When clearing downed trees, do not touch or cut lines as they may be live and operational.
• Do not pile debris on or near utility pedestals.
• Do not drive over lines.
• Do not cut lines. It is faster to repair than to replace damaged lines.
• Do not touch or remove downed or damaged lines. 

Always call 811 before you dig (or 1-800-272-3020). Call your utility providers directly to report down or cut lines and stay clear of the area. 

These efforts are part of the company’s ongoing commitment to providing resources and support to communities during times of unexpected need. Please visit the Big South webpage for more information on the latest developments and updates following Hurricane Helene and our relief efforts.