Qwest Provides New Service

Due to unpredictable flooding in the Red River Valley, Qwest Communications wants to ensure that local phone, long distance, and Internet services continue without interruption.

In addition, Qwest Communications is dedicated to providing North Dakota and Minnesota customers affected by recent flooding with free emergency call forwarding services. Qwest will forward home, business, or wireless calls to a temporary location for up to 30 days.

Since the flood’s initial outbreak, Qwest employees have secured the foundations of more than 90 facilities, utilizing upwards of 7,000 sandbags in the construction of 4-5 foot tall flood covers.

Equipped with company vehicles, Qwest employees have been strategically positioned throughout the affected regions. In the event that travel becomes too dangerous, Qwest employees will escort residents to safety. Qwest will deploy spotters to monitor the water levels at various high-risk flood sites. If an evacuation becomes necessary, Qwest employees will provide assistance at various evacuation zones throughout the area. To assist in the efforts, additional Qwest employees will be deployed from South Dakota and Iowa.

In addition to providing free emergency call forwarding, evacuation assistance, and water level monitoring, Qwest Communications has donated $20,000 to the American Red Cross chapters in flood-ridden areas of Minnesota and North Dakota. The money will be used to assist with disaster recovery in the affected regions.

"The American Red Cross provides a vital service to the community in this great time of need," stated John Stanoch, Qwest President in North Dakota and Minnesota. "Qwest is proud to help and we urge others to donate."

Free emergency call forwarding service, designed to benefit Qwest customers in flood-affected regions of North Dakota and Minnesota, is available to Qwest customers only. To utilize this service, please call 1-866-992-1784.