A major winter storm, Winter Storm Fern, is expected to impact large parts of the U.S., bringing heavy snow, ice, and extremely cold temperatures. With as many as 35 states and 200 million people potentially affected, the storm could lead to power outages and temporary connectivity disruptions in some communities.
During severe winter weather, we know that staying connected matters. From receiving weather updates and emergency alerts to checking in with family and friends, reliable internet access helps people stay informed and prepared.
While storms can temporarily affect service, taking a few steps ahead of time and knowing where to find help can make it easier to navigate connectivity issues as conditions change.
Tips to Stay Connected During Severe Winter Weather
Severe winter weather can temporarily disrupt power and internet service. While the steps below can’t prevent outages, they can help you stay informed, protect your devices, and be better prepared if your service is affected:
- Charge devices early and often. Fully charge phones, tablets, and laptops, and keep portable power banks ready in case of outages. Consider keeping a battery-powered or hand-crank radio as a backup for receiving emergency updates.
- Save key information offline. Keep written or non-digital records of emergency contacts, customer support numbers, and important documents so you can access them even if your service is temporarily disrupted.
- Enable emergency alerts. Make sure weather and emergency notifications are turned on for your phone and set for your local area so you receive timely updates.
- Protect home equipment. Keep modems and routers elevated to reduce the risk of water damage. Using a surge protector for TVs, modems, and cable boxes can also help protect devices if power is interrupted or restored suddenly.
Provider Resources and Customer Support
If you experience connectivity issues during Winter Storm Fern, your internet provider may offer real-time updates, outage reporting, and safety guidance:
- Spectrum (Charter): Visit the Spectrum Storm Center for storm updates, outage reporting, and service restoration information.
- Xfinity (Comcast): The Xfinity Response Center provides service status updates, safety tips, and restoration resources during severe weather.
- Cox: Cox customers can access outage updates, disaster support resources, and report downed lines through its disaster support page.
- Midco: Customers can check service issues and report outages on Midco’s outage resource page.
Winter storms can be unpredictable — staying informed and knowing where to turn for updates and support can help you manage the days ahead.
Dive Deeper: To learn about the work that goes into restoring connectivity after severe weather, After the Storm takes viewers behind the scenes with recovery crews responding to major natural disasters. The short docufilm highlights the coordinated efforts that unfold in the hours and days that follow, showing how teams work together to help reconnect communities during recovery.
