For Immediate Release
August 28, 2023
Comcast is closely monitoring Tropical Storm Idalia and its potential path towards the west coast of Florida and the Florida Panhandle, and actively preparing to ensure it will be able to support customers and respond as quickly as possible to resolve any impact the storm may have on its network and services.
Preparations include staging emergency generators and fuel trucks as well as bringing in additional technical and network restoration teams that are ready to be deployed into any impacted area.
There are also a few simple, easy things customers can do now to prepare and stay connected, even in bad weather. They can start by downloading Comcast’s free mobile apps:
- Xfinity Stream — View live TV, get weather updates, and download shows and movies beforehand to watch offline in case you lose power. This also includes NOW TV which offers 40+ live channels for streaming.
- Xfinity WiFi Hotspots — Xfinity Internet customers can access millions of Xfinity WiFi hotspots available nationwide.
- Xfinity — Get updates on outages and report service interruptions.
If the weather becomes severe enough, Comcast may send text alerts to customers with information about service interruptions or with tips for restoring their services. Customers can log in to their accounts online or check their account information and notification preferences in the Xfinity app to make sure their mobile phone numbers are added.
Comcast also recently launched the Xfinity Storm–Ready WiFi device, which can provide up to four hours of connectivity in the event the power goes out during a storm or outage. It is equipped with cellular back-up and a rechargeable battery with more than enough power to keep customers up and running over the course of an average power outage, which is two hours in the U.S., according to the US Energy Information Administration.
Here are a few additional helpful tips and safety precautions:
- Customers should plug TV’s, modems, routers, gateways, and cable boxes into a surge protector to protect them from damage in case of lightning or a power outage.
- Emergency management procedures dictate that electricity must be restored first and Comcast must receive clearance that it is safe for our crews to begin any restoration work. Should customers experience a loss of service due to a power outage, local power must first be restored before Xfinity internet, video, or phone services can begin working again.
- If customers have electricity but not Xfinity services, Comcast recommends restarting or resetting devices, including wireless gateways, modems, routers, and cable boxes.
- In some cases, customers may have power back but not their Xfinity services because commercial power has not been restored to our network in their area.
- Customers should always stay clear of downed power and cable lines in the interest of safety.
- Forward a home phone number to a mobile phone number so that customers can receive emergency calls even if they are not home.
Tips for Comcast Business customers:
- Comcast Business Connection Pro provides you with a 4G LTE backup router that takes over if your main Internet service provider fails. The automatic wireless backup feature will help devices stay up and running.
- Comcast Business Mobile allows your employees to connect to a 5G network, or one of the millions of secure Comcast Business WiFi hotspots nationwide. Keeping your phone network mobile allows you to connect with customers during a storm or other type of emergency.
- Comcast Business App provides real-time service updates and text alerts.
- Enable Call Forwarding so business calls can be received on mobile devices.
For the latest information and storm-related updates, visit the Comcast Florida blog and follow @ComcastFL on X, formerly known as Twitter.
For assistance, customers can chat online with an agent, visit Xfinity.com/response or connect with Comcast on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @xfinitysupport.
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Media Contacts:
Mindy Kramer
561-322-8646
Cindy Arco
904-738-3412
