Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria wreaked havoc on parts of the United States and the Caribbean.
This point covers hurricanes harvey, irma and maria wreaked.
Maria wreaked havoc on parts of.
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But even those who avoided catastrophic damage were not spared the aftermath of the storms.
This point covers but even those who avoided catastrophic.
But even those who avoided catastrophic damage.
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This part uses short plain words.
After huddling in the dark for hours with water and flashlights, many families still found themselves in dire circumstances once the danger passed.
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After huddling in the dark for hours.
many families still found themselves in dire.
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Power loss lingers after the storm
Massive power outages plagued the nation.
Many people in Florida lived without power for weeks.
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Many people in Florida lived without power.
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In Puerto Rico, most residents were still without power long after the storm.
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In Puerto Rico.
most residents were still without power long.
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The cost of these storms is staggering.
This point covers the cost of these storms.
The cost of these storms is staggering.
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Estimates for Hurricane Harvey came in anywhere from $65 billion to $190 billion.
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Estimates for Hurricane Harvey came in anywhere.
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Hurricane Irma was estimated to cost between $50 billion and $100 billion.
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Hurricane Irma was estimated to cost between.
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But the cost to individual households can be even more distressing.
This point covers but the cost to people households.
But the cost to people households.
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In October 2012, Hurricane Sandy caused devastating damage, razing neighborhoods and robbing more than eight million households, as far west as Michigan, of power.
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In October 2012.
Hurricane Sandy caused devastating damage.
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By Thanksgiving, some households in New Jersey were still without power.
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some households in New Jersey were still.
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Basic services become harder to replace
When disaster looms, there is a lot people can do to prepare.
This point covers when disaster looms, there is.
When disaster looms.
there is a lot people can.
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But people without powerful generators cannot fully prepare for an extended loss of power.
This point covers but people without powerful generators cannot.
But people without powerful generators cannot fully.
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Many find themselves without basic services on which they have come to depend.
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Many find themselves without basic help.
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In Florida, the loss of power proved devastating for one nursing home where, after air conditioners failed, eight elderly residents died.
This point covers in florida, the loss of power.
the loss of power proved devastating.
after air conditioners failed.
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On a less severe but still frustrating level, intermittent outages left many consumers without television or internet for weeks.
This point covers on a less severe but still.
On a less severe.
still frustrating level.
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Relief from providers is not always simple
After a natural disaster, consumers often face another challenge once their power begins to return: getting financial relief from service providers.
This point covers after a natural disaster, people often.
After a natural disaster.
people often face another challenge once.
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Service providers may try to reduce the burden.
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help companies may try to reduce.
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Comcast, for example, offered a one-time credit for cable, phone and internet services lost during and after Hurricane Irma.
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offered a one-time credit for cable.
internet help lost during.
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Like most conversations with service providers, though, it is rarely that simple.
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Like most conversations with help companies.
it is rarely that simple.
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CenturyLink, FPL and LCEC also tried to lessen the burden by suspending late fees and collections for customers impacted by Irma.
This point covers centurylink, fpl and lcec also tried.
LCEC also tried to lessen the burden.
collections for people impacted by Irma.
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Learn more about service provider policies in the aftermath of the hurricane here: NBC-2: Cable and Internet Restoration After Irma.
This point covers learn more about help companies policies.
Learn more about help companies policies.
Internet Restoration After Irma.
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If you're still experiencing outages, you can check live outage status using an interactive map.
This point covers if you're still experiencing outages.
If you're still experiencing outages.
you can check live outage status using.
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Services like USOutage.com can help determine whether your provider is actually experiencing an outage or if it is just you.
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help like USOutage.com can help determine whether.
it is just you.
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The emotional toll is harder to measure
The real cost of natural disasters is extremely hard to measure.
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The real cost of natural disasters.
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Although communities try to put a dollar value on disasters, those estimates rarely capture the emotional toll people experience during and after the event.
This point covers although communities try to put.
Although communities try to put a dollar.
those estimates rarely capture the emotional toll.
One simple fact appears here.
Loss of service is hard enough. Dealing with service providers who are overwhelmed by consumer needs can become its own challenge.
This point covers loss of help is hard enough.
Loss of help is hard enough.
Dealing with help companies who are overwhelmed.
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