FCC Chairwoman Visits Asheville Following Hurricane Helene

RADIO ONLINE | Monday, October 7, 2024

FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel meets with Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau staff in NC

FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel visited Asheville, NC on Friday to observe the ongoing communications recovery efforts following the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. During her visit, Rosenworcel met with officials at the Buncombe County emergency operations center and received briefings from the FCC's Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau staff deployed to North Carolina to aid in the recovery.

The Chairwoman also visited wireless carriers' satellite cell sites, known as "cell on light trucks," in the impacted areas and stopped by a local library serving as a community Wi-Fi hub. Additionally, she visited a local radio station to understand the broader impact of the hurricane on essential communication services.

"When disaster strikes, the FCC will always have boots on the ground," said Rosenworcel. "We collect outage data, conduct spectrum surveys to understand the state of coverage, determine the impact on radio and television, and assess capabilities for emergency services."

Rosenworcel acknowledged the unique challenges posed by Hurricane Helene, particularly in mountainous regions of western North Carolina, which are not accustomed to such storms. She noted the difficulties in restoring communications due to blocked roads and damage to wireless towers in hard-to-reach areas.

Despite these challenges, Rosenworcel praised the collaborative efforts of public and private sectors in the recovery process. "I'm incredibly thankful for the thousands who are pitching in to help at the federal, state, and local level. In any crisis, communications is a lifeline," she emphasized. "We must use this storm to understand ways we can make this infrastructure more resilient and more accessible in the future."

The FCC has been actively coordinating with FEMA, CISA, and other government partners across multiple states, including North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, and Virginia, to facilitate recovery efforts. Some of the FCC's key actions in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene include:

• Activating the Disaster Information Reporting System to issue daily updates on the operational status of communications infrastructure.

• Implementing the Mandatory Disaster Response Initiative, which requires wireless providers to collaborate to reduce outages and provide roaming options where available.

• Deploying FCC staff for damage assessments to support restoration efforts.

• Waiving certain Lifeline program eligibility requirements to help disaster survivors stay connected with discounted phone and broadband services.

• Coordinating with communications providers and granting temporary authorities and rule waivers to expedite service restoration and emergency operations.

Rosenworcel also highlighted the importance of maintaining strong communication links between the communications and power sectors during the recovery process and noted that the FCC has been engaging with federal and state partners daily.

The FCC has established a dedicated website as a central resource for information related to the storm and its impact on communications infrastructure.