June 15, 2011 by onstarconnects
Tornado Victims Tell Their Stories
The deadly tornadoes that struck Alabama this past spring left unbelievable destruction in their wake. The death toll climbed past 200. Entire neighborhoods and communities were completely destroyed.
When natural disasters happen, OnStar puts Crisis Assist into action. Specially trained Crisis Assist Advisors are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to pinpoint a subscriber’s location and provide evacuation routes, connect subscribers with loved ones, help find accommodations and shelter for subscribers and their pets, and provide centralized assistance if food, water, medical help or a hospital is needed. They can assist subscribers with access to any OnStar services at no additional cost.
Four subscribers tell how they relied on OnStar when it mattered most:
“My son, Vincent, is a student at the University of Alabama. When the recent tornado came through the town, cell phones were unavailable. Thankfully, Vincent was able to reach us through his OnStar Hands-Free Calling(1) phone for the next few days to let us know he was OK. I consider OnStar a blessing and peace of mind.”
“Mom” Angie Bellatti
“I just wanted to write to you to thank you, and let you know how valuable your service has been to me, and I’m sure many others, in the tornado-ravaged areas of Alabama over the past couple of weeks. I have had some opportunities to help with debris cleanup and delivering supplies to affected areas that simply could not have been found without your Directions & Connections service. Homes and businesses that once stood at addresses are no longer there, or addresses are not visible. Familiar landscapes and landmarks are no longer visible to help guide the way, but your Turn-by-Turn directions(2) have gotten me right where I needed to be. I have always thought of your service as almost a luxury, but it has become a necessity over the past days.”
Keith Cobb
“During the recent tornados that destroyed many homes in Mississippi and Alabama, my 85-year-old mother’s home was severely damaged by fallen trees. She had no phone service afterwards but remembered her OnStar button in her car. The Advisor was able to contact my sisters and me so we could get there to help her, but even more important, she kept my mother calm and reassured her that she wasn’t alone. My Mom just said, “Sweetheart, I’m fine. I’m talking with the Advisor and she’s taking care of me.”
Julie Bennett
“We were without power for many weeks after the deadly tornadoes hit the southeastern U.S. Our only resource was OnStar. Without OnStar we would not have known my father was safe or been able to let family members in West Virginia know we were safe. Without it, we would not have learned that my in-laws’ house had been hit and my father- and mother-in-law were killed in the tornado. We would not have known that my sister-in-law broke her back and was rushed to the hospital. We would not have known that my niece, who rescued her mother, had fractured her foot. OnStar was there to help us plan funeral arrangements, appointments, etc. OnStar helped us in so many ways during this horrible time in our lives. It has truly become a mandatory tool for our family.”
Basheia Christian
Were you or your family members helped by Crisis Assist during any of the recent tornadoes or floods? Tell us your story.
Read how OnStar Crisis Assist helped Patsy Sea, who was left without phone service or electricity for 11 days after an ice storm.
(1) OnStar Hands-Free Calling requires a Hands-Free Calling–enabled vehicle, existing OnStar service contract, and prepaid minutes. Visit onstar.com for coverage map, details and system limitations. (2) Requires ABS and Directions & Connections plan. Visit onstar.com for coverage map. Services vary by model.
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Tags: Crisis Assist, Emergency Services, Hands-Free Calling, tornado, Turn-by-Turn Navigation