Hurricane Matthew: Verizon Offers Unlimited Data, Text, And Talk For Affected Counties

INQUISITR.COM / News
By Rahul Srinivas
Published on: 2016-10-08T21:08:47
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Even as Hurricane Matthew continues to batter the southeast U.S. seaboard in spite of it weakening slightly over the past few days, several areas have been reportedly inundated by the torrential rainfall that the hurricane brought with it. According to ABC News, there have been 13 confirmed deaths so far that have been caused directly or indirectly by Hurricane Matthew. It has also left more than 1.9 million households and businesses without power across a vast area across the southeastern seaboard. While North Carolina reported three storm related deaths, Florida was possibly the worst hit with six confirmed deaths from there. In Georgia, four deaths were reported.

North Carolina governor Pat McCrory earlier today confirmed the death toll in the state and termed the hurricane as a “deadly storm.”

“This is a very serious and deadly storm,” the governor told reporters at a press conference. He also requested people to remain indoors and stay off the roads to avoid mishaps.

Even though Hurricane Matthew has weakened into a Category 1 Hurricane, it is still bringing tremendous amounts of rainfall and recorded maximum sustained winds of 75 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center. By Saturday night, the storm will weaken even more — to be relegated to the status of a post-tropical storm.

In light of the terrible conditions in which several areas have been left following the storm, U.S. carrier Verizon Wireless announced that it will provide unlimited domestic talk, text and data to “qualified” customers in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina between Oct. 9 to 11. This offer would only be valid in select counties across several states. We have a list of all the counties that are covered under this offer. The announcement made by Verizon in its website read as follows.

“Sometimes life throws the unexpected at you, and it could mean using extra data that you weren’t planning on needing. Verizon is offering unlimited domestic talk, text and data relief to qualified customers in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina between October 7-11, so you can stay connected when it matters most.”

Verizon Hurricane Matthew
The message posted on the Verizon website [Image Via Rahul Srinivas/Screenshot]

Verizon also adds that in case a customer’s bill cycle falls on October 7, he may receive his bill before the offer can be applied. The applicable credits would be reflected in the next bill. They also added that users would continue to receive data usage alert messages in areas where the offer is valid. All necessary charges would be reflected in the next bill, the company clarified.

Here are the qualified counties for each state:

    • FLORIDA
      Brevard
      Clay
      Duval
      Flagler
      Indian River
      Martin
      Nassau
      Palm Beach
      Saint Johns
      Saint Lucie
      Volusia
      Putnam
      Seminole
      Osceola
      Okeechobee
    • GEORGIA
      Brantley
      Bryan
      Camden
      Chatham
      Effingham
      Glynn
      Liberty
      Long
      Mcintosh
      Wayne
    • SOUTH CAROLINA
      Beaufort
      Berkeley
      Charleston
      Colleton
      Dillon
      Dorchester
      Florence
      Georgetown
      Hampton
      Horry
      Jasper
      Marion
      Williamsburg
    • NORTH CAROLINA
      Brunswick
      Columbus
      New Hanover
      Pender

Meanwhile, even after the storm weakened, the National Hurricane Center has warned that strong winds and dangerous storm surges can be expected along the South Carolina coast through Sunday morning. Heavy rains are also expected to batter several areas inland. A tornado warning was also issued for several parts of northeast South Carolina and eastern North Carolina until 4 p.m. ET on Saturday. A statement issued earlier on Saturday morning read as follows.

“An isolated tornado or two will be possible today along the coast of North Carolina and northern South Carolina. Although weakening is forecast during the next 48 hours, Matthew is expected to remain a hurricane while the center is near the coasts of South Carolina and North Carolina.”

If you happen to be a resident of one of these affected counties, and you are on Verizon, you might want to take advantage of the offer.

[Featured Image: AP Photo/Stephen B. Morton]