Verizon Preparing Network for Tropical Storm Nolo in Hawai'i

As Tropical Storm Nolo approaches Hawai‘i, Verizon is ramping up its network preparation efforts to ensure critical communications remain uninterrupted. The company’s engineering teams are monitoring conditions 24/7, keeping backup generators fueled, and staging mobile assets across the islands, following the completion of Hurricane Lowell recovery efforts.

Additional members from the company’s Dedicated Impact Response Team (DIRT) will be deployed to the Big Island to support potential recovery efforts. Verizon is also offering a relief offer to its postpaid, Value, and Small Business customers, waiving domestic call, text, and data charges for the state of Hawai‘i from September 26 to October 7, 2026. This offer is in addition to the existing relief offer for customers across Kaua‘i.

Verizon’s network infrastructure is designed to withstand severe weather, and the company is working closely with local power companies, the Hawai‘i Emergency Management Agency (HIEMA), and state public safety officials to ensure critical communications remain operational. To prepare for the next storm, Verizon is taking several additional steps to maintain network resilience. Permanent site generators across the islands have been topped off with multi-day fuel reserves, and portable generators are on standby in the event of extended commercial power loss. Verizon has satellite assets and mobile network equipment staged and ready to deploy as conditions allow, supporting communities impacted by power loss or fiber disruptions.

The company’s specialized DIRT team, an elite-level of network engineers and technicians trained to rapidly restore wireless infrastructure following major emergencies like hurricanes, wildfires, and severe storms, is already on the ground following storms Lala and Lowell. As a precaution, Verizon will deploy additional DIRT personnel to the Big Island to support recovery efforts if needed. Verizon is also encouraging customers to prepare for the storm by charging up their devices, protecting their gear, and establishing a communication plan.

In addition to these measures, Verizon is providing customers with a comprehensive list of steps they can take to prepare for the storm, including updating their personal digital preparedness plans. Customers are urged to charge up their mobile devices, tablets, and portable power banks well before storm watches or warnings are issued for their location. They should also place their phones, chargers, and external batteries in waterproof accessories or heavy-duty zip-lock bags to safeguard them against floodwaters or rain. Customers are advised to establish a communication plan, coordinate a dedicated ohana (family) emergency plan, and check on their kūpuna (elders) to ensure their devices are charged and they have an emergency communication plan in place.

Verizon is also encouraging customers to secure visual backups of their home, vehicle, and valuables for insurance purposes, and to upload these images to the cloud so they can access them even if their phone is lost or damaged. Customers are advised to download critical weather tracking, news, and American Red Cross safety apps ahead of time, and to centralize updated contact info for all staff, including remote and satellite offices, and keep accessible, secure copies of their insurance policies.

The company is also advising customers to maintain an inventory of all corporate hardware deployed to remote employees to streamline claims for potential loss or damage, and to establish a protocol to immediately reroute workloads if remote employees lose power or face evacuation. Verizon will continue to monitor the situation and provide local network status updates as necessary.

For the most up-to-date information on Verizon branded Authorized Retailer store hours of operation, customers can check the store locator page. Customers can track real-time network status using the Check Network Status tool on Verizon’s website or directly within the My Verizon mobile app. Visit the Emergency Resource Center for further details on Verizon’s emergency response capabilities.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ) is a company that powers and empowers how its millions of customers live, work, and play, delivering on their demand for mobility, reliable network connectivity, and security. Headquartered in New York City, serving countries worldwide and nearly all of the Fortune 500, Verizon generated revenues of $138.2 billion in 2025. Verizon’s world-class team never stops innovating to meet customers where they are today and equip them for the needs of tomorrow. For more, visit verizon.com or find a retail location at verizon.com/stores.