Effects of Hurricane Ian on Communication Networks and Electric Power Infrastructures

This paper discusses the observations made during a field damage assessment in the area affected by Hurricane Ian in 2022. The discussion focuses on the effects of this natural disaster on the electric power grid and on communication networks. Importance of preparedness activities, such as regular maintenance and infrastructure hardening programs seem to have been demonstrated by the relatively better performance of the electric power grid when compared to other hurricanes that affected the Gulf Coast area in the past. However, the opposite situation seems to have been the case for communication networks when compared to other past hurricanes as disruptions were observed both in wireline and wireless networks due to infrastructure that seemed to be less prepared to withstand hurricane damaging actions than in the north and western areas of the U.S. Gulf Coast. These conclusions are supported by evidence from the damage assessment described in this paper.