Verizon Wireless reports that 98.1% of its cell sites are in service in the areas impacted by Hurricane Sandy. The Company has made progress in restoring service ton lower Manhattan. Verizon will also be crediting wireless accounts in affected counties in New York and New Jersey (list follows) for voice and text overage charges.

Verizon Wireless augmented service on Saturday at Floyd Bennett Field, in Breezy Point, Queens, and dispatched additional mobile network resources to Coney Island, Long Beach, and Staten Island, NY.

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Verizon is working to get all of its services up and running in areas affected by Hurricane Sandy.

Verizon Wireless is offering free device charging to anyone who needs it in its stores in the hurricane region.

They are working on delivering mobile charging stations to hard-hit areas such as New York City. Today  94% of its towers from Maine to Virginia were operational and supporting customers.

Verizon Wireless also suggested to extend battery life, to dim the screen, stop notifications, turn off apps and to try an extended battery.

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President Obama said today that the best way you can help those who are dealing with the aftermath of hurricane Sandy is to donate to the Red Cross.  The Red Cross is accepting text donations.

With your help, the Red Cross has already opened shelters in seven states, mobilized emergency response vehicles, secured meals and readied supplies including cots, comfort/clean-up kits.

There are also other agencies that are in need of text donations that are listed below:

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We received news from Verizon Wireless and its efforts to restore service to New York City, including Lower Manhattan and other effected areas.

Verizon is working with government agencies and clients to evaluate the situation.  The company is rerouting data and voice calls to facilities that have not been impacted.  They will be updating information at 4:00pm EDT.

Here is the latest statement from Verizon spokesman Jeffrey Nelson:

12:00 noon ET on Oct. 30: Verizon is continuing to assess the situation, working with appropriate government agencies, power companies and first responders and collaborating with clients on restoration efforts.  Key updates at this time include:

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All the major carriers are ready for Hurricane Sandy (read disaster tips). The Red Cross has apps to help find shelters and you can donate to aid those who are affected by the hurricane.

The FCC encourages people to limit non-emergency voice calls and to keep calls brief to avoid network congestion.

To find a shelter, people can download the Red Cross Hurricane app, visit the Red Cross web site, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767), or check local media outlets.

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If you are embracing for Hurricane Sandy, you will probably want prepare not only your home but your cell phone and smartphone.  The most important thing to remember is to text during a disaster if your voice  phone calls are not going through.

Text messages use very little data and may be the best and easiest way to get your messages to your family and friends.

The way cell service works is that the cell towers in your area look for your cell phone in the area where you were last.

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As the world waits to find out about the actual facts abour the iPhone 5 release, specs and details. We're coming to the smartphone buying season over through the holidays.  It has gotten very confusing and harder than chosing only one pair of shoes to travel around the world throughout all climates.  Do you go for comfort, style, speed or technical details?  What smartphone will be the right fight for you?

When I'm out in public, people asked me what is the best smartphone and I reply it depends what you need.

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Subscribers on AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile can donate $25 to the American Red Cross Hurricane Isaac relief efforts by texting the word “DONATE” to 90999. Verizon subscribers can donate $10.

The mGive Foundation, announced that it has initiated a $25 mobile donation trial to help with Hurricane Isaac relief.

The mobile donation trial raises the maximum mobile donation amount from $10 to $25 for the first time in disaster relief text campaigns.

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Verizon Wireless released a video showing how the network was prepared for the massive fire in Colorado in June.

Verizon Wireless sent out temporary cell towers or COLTs to ensure that firefighters to be able to call their loved ones and others. Verizon reinforced its 4G LTE network.  The Verizon network was running and working 100% of the time during the fires.

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Starting later this month, all major carriers will provide the new emergency alert system, called Wireless Emergency Alert system that will work in conjunction with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Federal Communications Commission, Department of Homeland Security, the National Weather Service and other agencies.

Through the system warning messages will be sent through wireless networks from the President of the United States and other agencies.  The alert system also supports Amber alerts for missing children. Most of the warnings will be for sever weather conditions.

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Verizon Wireless is supporting mobile giving programs to contribute to recovery efforts supporting communities affected by tornado and flood disasters.

Cell phone owners can use their mobile phones to make $10 donations to a variety of nonprofit organizations responding to the needs of citizens in the aftermath of the recent Midwest and Southeast destruction, including The Community Foundation of the Ozarks, American Red Cross, The Salvation Army and World Vision.

Any wireless customer using any carrier can make a $10 donation by sending a text message. 

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