Hurricane and Storm Season Is Here: Optimum Urges Consumers to Stay Safe, Prepared and Connected
New survey from connectivity provider underscores importance of connectivity and preparedness during severe weather
NEW YORK (JUNE 2, 2026) – As hurricane and severe storm season begins across the United States, Optimum, a leading provider of fiber internet, mobile and TV services, is encouraging families to prepare early for potential weather-related power and connectivity disruptions that can affect entire communities during major storms.
A new nationwide survey conducted on behalf of Optimum1 found that Americans are concerned about the impact severe weather can have on their ability to stay connected, with many saying they rely on internet and mobile service for critical needs such as accessing emergency services and updates and communicating with loved ones.
According to the survey of more than 1,000 U.S. adults, 86% say it is important to stay connected during severe weather, while 72% believe weather is at least somewhat likely to impact connectivity in their area in the next 12 months.
The survey also found:
Nearly half of respondents (46%) who experienced an outage during severe weather said they had difficulty getting news and information about the severe weather.
More than half (52%) said they rely on internet or mobile services to communicate with family and friends during severe weather events.
Only 36% of respondents said they feel confident they have enough information to prepare for future outages.
Just half (51%) reported having backup phone batteries or power banks available.
Consumers across hurricane-prone and severe-weather regions are increasingly recognizing the importance of preparedness.
“Staying connected during severe weather is critical, especially when families depend on internet and mobile services for emergency information, communication, and access to essential resources,” said Sean O’Connell, Senior Vice President, General Manager at Optimum. “That’s why Optimum begins preparing long before the first storm forms, activating pre-season readiness plans to ensure our teams, tools, and technology are in place to respond quickly and support customers when storms strike. As we head into hurricane season, we also encourage consumers to take simple steps now to prepare for potential outages and stay safe and informed.”
Storm Preparedness Tips
Optimum recommends taking several steps now to help stay connected and safe during severe weather, including:
Keep backup power ready: Charge portable batteries and power banks before storms arrive and keep car chargers available.
Save important information offline: Write down key phone numbers, emergency contacts, and account information.
Sign up for alerts: Ensure contact information is updated to receive emergency notifications and outage updates.
Protect electronics: Unplug sensitive devices during severe weather to avoid power surge damage.
Plan for connectivity interruptions: Know where public charging stations, Wi-Fi hotspots, or community resources may be available if outages occur.
Read more about how Optimum is preparing its customers and communities for storm season here.
1All data cited in this piece are taken from a survey with respondents sourced from a third party on behalf of Optimum between May 13 – 18, 2026. Over 1,000 U.S. adult internet and mobile service decision-makers who expect some type of severe weather service disruption/outage in their area were surveyed.