Hurricane Helene takes out 370 cell towers; 103 on backup power

Apple’s Messages via satellite service is likely to be in demand for some time, to help people check in on friends and family in the wake of Hurricane Helene.

Some 370 cell towers in North Carolina are completely out of action, with a further 103 operating on backup power …

Hurricane Helene takes out 370 cell towers

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) says that in addition to North Carolina, its disaster recovery plan has been activated for parts of Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.

The FCC has issued a detailed list of affected counties, showing the number and percentage of cell sites out in each, along with information on the nature of the outage.

NBC News notes that 90% of cell sites are out in the worst-affected countries.

The situation is particularly dire in Avery, Mitchell and Yancey counties, where 10% or fewer of the cell sites are fully functioning.

Two local television stations and two FM radio stations are also out of service in North Carolina, the FCC said.

Internet providers often have disaster contingency plans, such as keeping backup generators and fuel on hand to keep service going during power outages. But the flooding was severe enough to override them.

Local ISP Skyline underlined the severity of the damage. “We had some of our facilities chest-deep in water. A backup generator won’t help you when the building’s on its side or upside-down or chest-deep in water.”

Apple’s Messaging via satellite a lifeline

As we reported yesterday, the Messaging via satellite service launched within iOS 18 is helping those in the affected area keep in touch with family and friends.

Non-profit Center for Rural Strategies says this makes a huge difference.

Its president, Dee Davis, said it can be agonizing for people affected by severe flooding not to be able to check on loved ones. Davis lost a close friend in the eastern Kentucky floods of 2022.

“A lot of mamas and daddies who wake up and they don’t know where the kids are and they don’t know what to do, they’re limited. That moment of powerlessness has a real effect,” he said.

Apple is also donating to relief efforts.

Image: Defense Visual Information Distribution Service/Public domain