Severe Weather Preparedness Begins Now
Know What to do Before, During and After Severe Weather Affects Our Area.
Hurricane Season is a good reminder that severe weather preparedness should not wait for a storm. Conditions can change quickly, especially during hurricane season. However, a little preparation now can make it easier to respond when severe weather arrives. HTC encourages members to stay informed, make a plan and know where to find helpful resources. Taking these steps ahead of time can help your family feel more prepared before, during and after a storm.
Before Severe Weather Arrives
The best time to prepare for severe weather is before it appears on the forecast. Start by creating a family communication plan.
- Choose an out-of-area contact everyone can reach if your family becomes separated.
- Make sure everyone has important phone numbers saved.
- Review evacuation plans and identify potential shelter locations.
- Keep cellphones and other mobile devices fully charged.
- Portable chargers and backup batteries can also provide extra power when electricity is unavailable.
If you have important photos, documents or other files, back them up regularly. External drives and cloud storage can help protect valuable information. Members in flood-prone areas should also consider moving electronics and HTC-issued equipment to a higher location. This can help reduce the risk of damage from rising water. Finally, make sure you know how to receive weather and emergency alerts. Check your preferred sources before severe weather arrives.
During Severe Weather
When severe weather arrives, safety should always come first.
- Monitor trusted weather and emergency management sources for updates.
- Follow evacuation orders and other instructions from local officials.
- If conditions become dangerous, avoid unnecessary travel.
- Downed trees, flooding, debris and damaged power lines can create serious hazards.
- Keep phone calls to a minimum during widespread severe weather.
Text messaging can often help you communicate while reducing congestion on communication networks. Only call 911 when you have a true emergency. Keeping emergency lines available helps first responders assist those who need them most. If you evacuate, remember that some HTC services may offer options to help you stay reachable. For example, home phone members can use call forwarding before leaving home.
After the Storm
Severe weather does not always end when the storm passes.
- Continue monitoring local updates for road closures, flooding, power issues and other hazards.
- Avoid downed power lines and damaged areas whenever possible.
- If you experience an HTC service interruption, check your equipment once conditions are safe.
- You can also report certain service issues through HTC My Account.
- Keep in mind that a power outage can affect more than your lights.
HTC equipment requires power to operate. Therefore, your services may experience an interruption even when the HTC network remains operational. Likewise, you may have power at home while an outage affects equipment elsewhere on the network.
HTC monitors its network during severe weather and responds when conditions allow. HTC teams prepare ahead of major weather events. Crews monitor the network and work to restore service as quickly and safely as possible. However, employee safety remains the priority. Crews will only enter affected areas when conditions allow them to work safely.
Know Where to Find Severe Weather Resources
Knowing where to find information can save valuable time during an emergency.
HTC maintains a dedicated Severe Weather resource with helpful videos and information for members. The page includes storm preparation tips, outage guidance and information about service interruptions. Visit HTC’s Severe Weather page for helpful tips and videos or read more of HTC’s News & Blog page for additional information.
Members can also use HTC My Account to report certain service issues from a mobile device. Technical Support is available at 843-365-2186. Most importantly, do not wait until a storm is approaching to prepare.
Know your family’s plan. Charge your devices. Keep important information accessible. Know where to find reliable updates. Severe weather can be unpredictable. Your preparation does not have to be. A few minutes of planning today can help your family feel more prepared when the next storm arrives.
For more information about HTC, visit www.htcinc.net or call 843-365-2154.
About HTC
HTC is the largest telecommunications cooperative in the United States. Celebrating more than 70 years as the local leader in communications, HTC provides services in Horry, Georgetown and Marion counties. Utilizing the area’s most extensive fiber optic network, HTC service offerings include: Internet; Video; Security; Mobile; and Voice. HTC also offers advanced business services, including: Internet; Voice and Hosted Voice Solutions; IT Solutions such as Wi-Fi, Data Backup & Recovery and Firewalls; and Business Security. To learn more about HTC, visit www.htcinc.net. For additional information about HTC or becoming a member, call 843-365-2154.
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