The FCC deployed personnel to Texas, monitored the extent of communications outages and worked with industry and government partners to support restoration efforts over the weekend. The agency remained open to receive requests for assistance from wireless and wireline carriers, as well as broadcasters for special temporary authority (STA) prompted by the effects of Hurricane Harvey. Multiple bureaus issued procedures including emergency contacts that could be reached via email or by telephone. In addition, satellite service providers, emergency response managers and first responders, and others needing assistance to initiate, resume, or maintain communications operations during the weekend, could contact the FCC Operations Center for assistance at 202-418-1122 or by e-mail at: [email protected].
Also, the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau activated the Disaster Information Reporting System. DIRS is a voluntary, web-based system that communications providers, including wireless, wireline, broadcast, cable and Voice over Internet Protocol providers, can use to report communications infrastructure status during a crisis.
Communications companies that provide service to any areas listed below were asked to expeditiously submit and update information through DIRS, regarding the status of their equipment, restoration efforts, and power, such as whether they were using commercial power or back-up power. Access DIRS at: https://www.fcc.gov/nors/disaster/.
Counties of interest in Louisiana include: Acadia, Assumption, Calcasieu, Cameron, Iberia, Jefferson, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette, Lafourche, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Martin, St. Mary, Terrebonne and Vermilion.
Counties of interest in Texas include: Aransas, Atascosa, Bee, Brazoria, Brooks, Calhoun, Cameron, Chambers, Colorado, DeWitt, Duval, Fort Bend, Galveston, Goliad, Gonzales, Harris, Hidalgo, Jackson, Jefferson, Jim Wells, Karnes, Kenedy, Kleberg, Lavaca, Liberty, Live Oak, Matagorda, McMullen, Nueces, Orange, Refugio, San Patricio, Victoria, Wharton, Willacy and Wilson.
August 28, 2017
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