As the June 1 start of the 2026 hurricane season approaches, Verizon is expanding its disaster response capabilities to help keep communities, first responders, and recovery crews connected during major storms. The company is adding digital twin technology, a larger satellite fleet, and an employee volunteer corps trained with the American Red Cross to speed network restoration and support emergency shelters after disasters.
The centerpiece is Verizon’s new Digital Twin technology, which uses drone-captured 3D imagery and artificial intelligence to compare cell sites before and after a storm. After severe weather passes, drones can capture updated images of the same infrastructure, allowing engineers to identify damaged antennas, cables, and other equipment remotely. That process helps teams prepare the right repair equipment, prioritize restoration work, and reduce the need for early tower climbs or field visits in unsafe conditions.
Verizon is also expanding satellite-backed connectivity when storms damage terrestrial fiber lines. The company now has 2,600 satellite assets, including mobile deployable cell sites, satellite link kits, and permanent satellite links. It is also introducing a multi-orbit off-road trailer that can switch between geosynchronous and low-Earth orbit satellites, creating localized 5G hotspots for first responders while helping restore larger cell sites.
The company is pairing those network upgrades with specialized response teams and a new volunteer effort. Verizon’s Major Event Response Incident Team will use drone-mounted cameras that can detect hazardous gases invisible to the human eye, helping crews assess safety before restoration work begins. Verizon is also launching the Verizon Disaster Response Corps with the American Red Cross, training employee volunteers to deploy to emergency shelters for up to 14 days after natural disasters.