Home / After the Storm

After the Storm

Overview

Rebuilding networks. Restoring communities.
Natural disasters are becoming more consequential, threatening essential services and disconnecting communities. When hurricanes, wildfires, tornadoes or floods strike, America’s broadband providers are among the first on the scene—working around the clock to restore essential connectivity. These broadband networks power emergency response, keep families informed, and help communities rebuild.

Watch the Film

Film takes viewers behind-the-scenes as networks are rebuilt.

Watch how cable workers mobilize after disaster—navigating dangerous conditions, repairing damaged lines, and working side by side with utility crews to bring communities back online.

Impact

When broadband connections are lost, communities feel impact.

When disaster strikes, communities are shaken — and the essential lines of communication they rely on can suddenly go dark. Natural disasters can sever the lines that connect people to emergency help, vital information, and one another. Every minute without connectivity affects safety, recovery, and the local economy. Restoring these networks isn’t just about rebuilding broadband networks—it’s about rebuilding lives. 

Path Forward

Preparation and collaboration powers recovery.
Coordination and collaboration are needed restore connectivity when a catastrophe strikes. Broadband crews, utility teams and government agencies all must work together to ensure Americans stay connected when it matters most.

Steps for a coordinated response:

Broadband providers prepare year-round for extreme weather. Networks are built and reinforced with backup power, crews are trained, network performance is monitored 24/7, and emergency operations plan to withstand severe conditions.

Close coordination is important to speed recovery efforts. Broadband providers, power companies and government agencies work to share information and plan restoration between crews. From clearing roads to replacing utility poles, progress depends on working in sync across sectors.

Cable crews quickly move into action — coordinating resources and logistics. As soon as it is safe, workers deploy emergency Wi-Fi access points, generators, mobile command units, and heavy equipment to assess damage and begin repairs.

Broadband restoration begins as soon as power returns. Crews move quickly into the field, to replace downed fiber, repair damaged equipment, and reroute connectivity to restore service for emergency facilities, homes and businesses.

Providers invest in stronger, smarter infrastructure—burying lines, raising equipment above flood levels, creating systems with backup power, and more. Specialized, trained response teams stand ready for when they are needed.

Insights

“What gives me hope is watching everybody come together – utilities companies working together, fire departments working together, cities working together.”

Valerie Brown
Senior Director, Regional Plant Maintenance, Spectrum

“For most customers, when power is restored, our services will be restored. So that’s why it takes such great coordination between us.”

Chris Snyder
Regional VP, Field Operations, Spectrum

“I was pretty amazed at how quickly we got the phones back, and then when the internet came back on, that was really reassuring.”

Michael Roberts
Owner, Epic Cylces in North Carolina