On today’s episode, we shared another update on our response to Hurricane Helene.

Network Assurance Engineers and Verizon Remote pilots Mark Bluteau and Dusty Kelley were deployed in Asheville, North Carolina, an area faced with unprecedented devastation, to deploy our tethered drones.

Tethered drones provide cellular and data coverage and in this case, they are providing critical connectivity to various teams on the ground who are working to restore the community.

Both Mark and Dusty can attest to the importance of coming together in times like these and cite their Southern hospitality, robust training, and the time and resources put into our drone and Frontline Response programs as making all the difference.

Thank you to the response teams on the ground and networks teams across the business working around the clock to restore communities that need connection now more than ever.

More on our hurricane response

We’re automatically waiving domestic call, text, and data usage for postpaid consumer, small business and Verizon Prepaid customers impacted by the storm in parts of Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina.

The relief runs from September 28 through October 27, 2024. Check out our press release for full details on the waiver, including a full listing of counties impacted.

Stay up to date on our latest network restoration updates here.

Donate to our VtoV Employee Relief Fund today.

You can help Verizon employees who are most affected by this disaster by donating to The VtoV Employee Relief Fund. The fund directly helps V Teamers who are displaced by a natural disaster (or as a result of domestic violence) with funds to help with shelter and life’s necessities.

You can donate in any number of ways, but one way that’s convenient and impactful is making a payroll deduction.

Learn more about VtoV, including how to apply for a grant, all the ways to give and to see stories of how VtoV has improved the lives of employees.

Click here for a transcript of the episode.

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