When disasters strike, restoring connectivity is essential to recovery.
NCTA President & CEO Cory Gardner joined FOX Weather’s Steve Bender to discuss “After the Storm,” NCTA’s new docufilm that captures how broadband providers help rebuild critical infrastructure and reconnect communities after hurricanes and wildfires.
In the interview, Gardner emphasized that “the connectivity we take for granted in our day-to-day lives gets lost in an emergency.” The conversation highlighted what happens when storms like Hurricanes Helene and Milton leave communities cut off — and how broadband crews, working alongside power companies and first responders, move quickly to bring those connections back.
Coordinating before and after the storm
Bender and Gardner spoke about the behind-the-scenes coordination it takes to restore critical infrastructure when networks go down. Gardner noted that broadband providers often face challenges when they aren’t part of local emergency planning efforts — slowing recovery even when crews are ready to help.
“We put this docufilm out there to highlight what we need to be doing to make sure that we’re a part of the emergency operations centers,” Gardner said. “To make sure we’re not just part of the response, but of the proactive planning — to make sure that we can be there before the storm so that when the storm goes away, we can roll in and get people’s lives back up and running.”
Rebuilding stronger connections
Throughout “After the Storm,” viewers see the preparation that makes rapid recovery possible — from pre-staged equipment to 24/7 monitoring in operations centers. Broadband providers work hand in hand with utilities and emergency managers to restore service and support local recovery.
As Gardner explained, the goal is simple: to keep people connected — to loved ones, to work, to first responders — when it matters most.
Watch the full FOX Weather interview below and learn more about “After the Storm.”
