FCC Officials Visit North Carolina to Assess Recovery

RADIO ONLINE | Friday, October 4, 2024 | 4:31pm CT

Federal Communications Commission

In response to the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene, FCC officials are actively visiting North Carolina to evaluate ongoing recovery efforts. FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel and Commissioner Brendan Carr have scheduled visits to different parts of the state, emphasizing the agency's commitment to restoring critical communications infrastructure in disaster-affected areas.

Chairwoman Rosenworcel is visiting Asheville and Charlotte, where she will meet with teams from the FCC's Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, federal assistance centers, and local community Wi-Fi hubs. Her focus is to gain firsthand knowledge of the work being done to restore communication services in areas affected by Hurricane Helene. She will also engage with emergency operations centers to assess how federal resources are aiding in the recovery.

Meanwhile, Commissioner Carr spent time in Raleigh, where he visited the North Carolina Emergency Operations Center. During his visit, Carr met with federal, state, and local officials coordinating response efforts alongside telecom providers. Their discussions highlighted the importance of quickly restoring vital communications, including 911 services, and the FCC's role in promoting network roaming during such emergencies. Commissioner Carr expressed gratitude to those working on the ground, stating that communication services are a top priority in the recovery process.

Both visits underscore the FCC's dedication to ensuring that residents of North Carolina can reconnect with essential communication services, which have been disrupted due to the hurricane. The restoration efforts remain crucial to aiding ongoing humanitarian efforts in the state.