Southern California continues to face evolving threats from natural disasters—from wildfires fueled by extreme heat and drought to floods and debris flows following record-breaking rainfall, to the ever-present risk of earthquakes. For residents and business owners alike, year-round preparation is no longer optional. It’s essential.
Cox Communications understands the critical importance of reliable connectivity before, during, and after an emergency. Whether it’s keeping families and neighbors in touch, powering remote work and school, or ensuring hospitals and first responders have the connectivity they need to serve the community, Cox is committed to maintaining the strongest network in even the most extreme conditions.
To provide resilient service during a disaster, Cox continues to invest in network and product upgrades. Over the last 10 years, Cox has committed more than $19 billion to these efforts with $400 million earmarked for expanding services in underserved communities over the next few years. These investments aren’t just about gaming and productivity at work, but rather they’re designed to handle maximum strain such as that which can come with an emergency.
Southern California’s wildfire season is now a year-round phenomenon given the cycle of risks: dry and windy conditions in one season followed by rain and flooding the next. Cox holds regular readiness exercises, reviews its business continuity plans, and works collaboratively across departments to make sure employees are trained and ready to respond to a range of natural disasters.
When dangerous weather patterns—like our infamous Santa Ana winds—spark wildfire risk, utility companies may implement a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) to reduce the potential of an ignition. When this happens, even in areas where Cox is required to maintain backup power for its network, your home equipment may not work unless you have a backup power source on your premises. Cox stays in close contact with local utility providers and public safety agencies to monitor events and protect its infrastructure.
While Cox is at the ready as a community partner, there are things community members can do on their end to better prepare for an unexpected event.
Keep a corded landline and battery backup for phone service. Cox Voice customers should have a corded phone on hand and a fully charged backup battery for their phone modem. Call 855-324-7700
Follow and get updates on Cox’s social media accounts especially @coxcalifornia. In the event of a PSPS, wildfire, or other natural disaster, Cox will post service outage updates, tips, and other important information on this handle.
Download Cox apps. Don’t wait until there is an emergency to get Cox apps. ● Cox app gives you the ability to check on outages, stay up to date with text alerts, and manage accounts. ● Cox Contour app lets customers access the latest news and weather anytime as well as stream their favorite content on smartphones and tablets.
Stay connected with Cox’s WiFi backup internet service. Cox now offers Stay Connected, a WiFi backup solution powered by unlimited 4G LTE cellular data and a four-hour battery. This service automatically switches to cellular internet when your primary connection goes down keeping you online during outages caused by power shut offs or natural disasters.
Keep a portable generator on hand. Back-up power? Yes, please. If your power goes out, a generator may prolong your services if your Cox service location still has power. Check your generator’s owner’s manual for details on power capacity and safe operation.
Update contact information. Get ahead of wildfire season and update your preferred contact information with Cox to receive emergency and outage notices.
Be aware of disaster relief protections. You could be eligible for consumer disaster relief protections if your Cox Voice service goes out during a state of emergency declared by the California Governor’s Office or the President of the United States. Disaster relief protections include a waiver of a one-time activation fee for establishing remote call forwarding.
Know your evacuation zones and emergency contacts. Take time now to identify your local evacuation zones, emergency shelters, and public safety contact numbers. Program them into your phone and keep a printed list on hand, along with an emergency go-bag with stocked essentials.
Most homeowners want two things before they commit to a remodel: a realistic sense of cost and a clear picture of what the finished space will look like. Milan Design + Build helps deliver both through its online remodeling estimator and personalized design consultations, supported by a showroom experience and 3D renderings.
“The online estimate gives homeowners a starting number in about a minute, and the showroom and 3D renderings let them see materials and layouts before anything is built,” says David Noriani, CEO of Milan Design + Build. “Keeping design, permits, and construction with one team helps us manage expectations and keep everyone working toward the same vision.”
Courtesy of Milan Design
Modern design is a particular focus for Milan, with an emphasis on clean lines, natural light, functional layouts, and carefully selected materials. The team adapts each design to the homeowner’s lifestyle and the character of the property. Milan Design + Build combines thoughtful design with construction expertise, creating spaces that are as functional as they are beautiful.
The online estimator covers kitchen remodels, bathroom renovations, full-home remodels, and ADU construction. At Milan’s showroom on Carroll Road, visitors can review real materials, finishes, and design options, meet the design-build team, and discuss project scope, budget, and timing. Consultations can also be held virtually for homeowners who prefer to start remotely.
At Milan Design + Build, one integrated team works on the entire project. Design and construction aren’t divided between separate firms. The process begins with a consultation and feasibility review, followed by design, space planning, and 3D renderings developed from detailed measurements and digital scans. The team also coordinates architectural plans, structural engineering, city approvals, and material selection, with construction overseen by a dedicated project manager.
Homeowners can explore their remodeling options, get an initial estimate, or request a design consultation at MilanBuild.com.
In the last several years, there’s been a surge in FDA approvals for what’s known as oral oncolytics. Oral oncolytics are targeted cancer therapies that come in tablet, capsule or liquid form that patients can take at home, rather than in an infusion clinic. Scripps physicians have seen exponential growth using this approach, with patients citing convenience as a major quality-of-life enhancement in their cancer treatment. This approach also allows treatments to be customized based on specific genetic mutations and a patient’s unique disease biology. Find out more about oral oncolytics here.
For more nutrition, wellness, and healthy living tips, sign up for the San Diego Health newsletter here.
Meet San Diego’s leading healthcare professionals, delivering exceptional medical and dental care through innovation, expertise, and dedication to patients.
Unio Specialty Care is a multi-specialty practice specializing in urology, gastroenterology, and radiation oncology.
Unio’s Radiation Oncology team—Dr. Donald B. Fuller, Dr. Tahir Ijaz, Dr. Reza Shirazi, and Dr. Siavosh Vakilian—combines extensive clinical experience with a commitment to personalized cancer care. The RO team treats cancerous and non-cancerous conditions using precision therapies including SBRT, IGRT, and the CyberKnife® S7 System, the only system of its kind in Southern California. Their expertise spans prostate, breast, lung, gastrointestinal, pancreatic, and central nervous system cancers, as well as low-dose radiotherapy for osteoarthritis.
In 2026, Dr. Shirazi and Dr. Vakilian were recognized as San Diego Top Doctors, joining Dr. Fuller and Dr. Ijaz, who have previously received this distinction.
Faces of Healthcare 2026: San Diego Fertility Center
Meet San Diego’s leading healthcare professionals, delivering exceptional medical and dental care through innovation, expertise, and dedication to patients.
Susanna Park, MD; Sandy Chuan, MD; Brooke Friedman, MD; Said Daneshmand, MD; Valerie Flores, MD; Bryn Willson, MD
At San Diego Fertility Center, parenthood starts with personalized, cutting-edge care. Nationally recognized physicians offer individualized plans spanning IVF, PGT, egg donation, surrogacy, Gentle IVF, fertility preservation, and LGBTQ+ family building. Newsweek ranked them among America’s Best Fertility Clinics in 2026: top 6% of 450+ clinics nationwide, and best in San Diego.
“Remind yourself you are not alone! You don’t have to have all the answers before you walk through the door,” says Dr. Friedman. “Our job is to listen, explain your options, and guide you toward what makes sense for you. Because fertility care isn’t one-size-fits-all — and building your family should feel like your journey, supported every step of the way.”
Faces of Healthcare 2026: North County Cardiovascular Specialists
Meet San Diego’s leading healthcare professionals, delivering exceptional medical and dental care through innovation, expertise, and dedication to patients.
At NCCS, both doctors take a personal, traditional approach to cardiovascular care. Patients speak directly with their physicians and build lasting relationships with doctors who know them.
“We became doctors to care for patients, not to run a business,” says Dr. Kabra, who trained in England and the United States and leads the practice’s office-based cardiac care. Dr. Rajamanickam, an interventional cardiologist trained under renowned Dr. Samin Sharma, shares the same philosophy.
Guided by evidence-based medicine, they tailor care to each patient’s unique history, physiology, lifestyle and goals. Both are respected, well-reviewed physicians and four-time Top Doctors.
Visit
3142 Vista Way, Suite 206, Oceanside, CA 92056 760-224-7776
Meet San Diego’s leading healthcare professionals, delivering exceptional medical and dental care through innovation, expertise, and dedication to patients.
Community health is about more than just vaccines and checkups, At Neighborhood Healthcare, patients receive whole-person care, giving them access to the resources they need to live their best lives—whether that’s primary care, pediatrics, dental care, behavioral health, lab services, or pharmacy needs.
Neighborhood Healthcare is a private, non-profit community health organization in San Diego, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties. Primary Care Physician James H. Schultz, MD goes above and beyond in serving people with high integrity, professionalism, and collaboration. Alongside the entire Neighborhood Healthcare staff, he works to improve the health and happiness of the community, regardless of situation or circumstance.
