Nov. 9, 2009 (PR Newswire) -- TAMPA, Fla., Nov. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- With Tropical Storm Ida churning in the Gulf of Mexico and threatening Florida's Panhandle and Gulf Coast, Verizon Wireless urges residents to finalize their emergency communications plans.

Ida, which entered the Gulf of Mexico as a Category 2 hurricane, currently is expected to make landfall near the Alabama-Florida state line early Tuesday, then move northeast to bring high winds and heavy rain across the Panhandle and northern parts of the state.

Verizon Wireless, which operates the nation's largest and most reliable wireless network, offers residents these tips to be safer during strong weather and other emergencies:

--  Keep wireless phone batteries fully charged in case local power is lost.
--  Have additional charged batteries and car-charger adapters available for
back-up power.
--  Keep phones, batteries, chargers and other equipment in a dry,
accessible location.
--  Keep a list of emergency phone numbers - police, fire, and rescue
agencies; insurance providers; family, friends and co-workers; etc. -
programmed into your phone.
--  Distribute wireless phone numbers to family members and friends.

--  Forward your home phone calls to your wireless number if you will be
away from your home or have to evacuate.

As the storm gets closer or as it is striking, Verizon Wireless suggests these tips:

--  Limit non-emergency calls to conserve battery power and free-up wireless
networks for emergency agencies and operations.
--  Send brief text messages rather than voice calls for the same reasons as
above.

--  Check weather/ news reports available on wireless phone applications
when power is out.

"We've been fortunate in Florida so far this year, but it is important that residents remain prepared to stay safe and in touch during emergencies," said Pam Tope, Florida region president for Verizon Wireless. "Residents especially in the Panhandle should put their emergency plans into action, just as our teams have been strengthening the network to provide strong coverage and services for the public and public safety agencies."

Verizon Wireless has continued the intensive investments and preparations that proved critical during and after past years' storm seasons. In the aftermath of even the most devastating hurricanes, the Verizon Wireless network in Florida remained strong while many other wireless communication networks struggled to serve emergency response officials and residents.

In the Panhandle this year, Verizon Wireless has made dramatic network improvements for former Alltel Wireless customers.