Detroit, June 6, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- June 1 marked the start of hurricane season, and The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Prediction Center is predicting an active to extremely active season this year.
See video from OnStar and Synaptic Digital at: http://inr.synapticdigital.com/onstar/severeweather/
During the six-month season, NOAA says there's a 70 percent chance of 13 to 20 named storms, seven to 11 of which could become hurricanes. The average for hurricane season is 12 named storms and six hurricanes.
OnStar has developed a Hurricane Preparation Checklist, which can be found here. Other useful tips for hurricane preparedness can be found at www.ready.gov/.
In the event of a hurricane or other disaster OnStar will provide Crisis Assist services for all subscribers, regardless of subscription plan. A simple push of OnStar's red emergency button will drivers in contact with specially trained Crisis Advisors, who can help with:
- Emergency Services: Advisors can contact emergency responders if needed and direct them to the subscriber's exact vehicle location, using OnStar's embedded cellular system and Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite technology.
- Routing assistance: Advisors will provide alternate routes, directions to hospitals or shelters and evacuation routes regardless of the driver's subscription plan
- Central point of contact for assistance: Advisors can provide crisis information and centralized assistance when subscribers need, for example, weather updates, hotel accommodations, or help reporting power outages or road closures.
- Keeping subscribers connected: Subscribers who are without power in their homes, cannot recharge their cell phone or whose phones aren't getting service can use OnStar Hands-Free Calling to stay connected. There's often times where OnStar Hands-Free Calling will work in places that a standard cell phone will not.
- Reporting new incidents: OnStar encourages subscribers to be Good Samaritans and contact an Advisor whenever they witness someone with an emergency need, so that the Advisor can inform appropriate public safety officials.
"Preparation is the best defense in any kind of crisis," said Mary Ann Adams, OnStar crisis incident manager. "With an active season ahead, we hope people will use any lessons learned during the last year's disasters, as well as utilizing any resources available to them, like OnStar."
Last year OnStar provided Crisis Assist services in a number of disaster situations including Hurricane Isaac and Hurricane Sandy, which devastated the east coast. OnStar has relationships with more than 6,000 Public Safety Answering Points allowing Advisors to provide quick, localized assistance in any type of emergency situation. For more information on OnStar Crisis Assist, visit www.onstar.com.
For More Informatuion:
Kelly Cusinato
313-667-8354
Kelly.cusinato@onstar.com
Stefan Cross
313-530-3884
stefan.cross@onstar.com