As 2015 Hurricane Season Begins, Georgia Residents Urged To Prepare Wireless Communication Plans

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. 

SOURCE Verizon Wireless

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