ATLANTA – Cox Communications today reported that all of its New Orleans-area employees have now made contact with the company to report their whereabouts and well-being. Cox's New Orleans operation employs nearly 1,000 people who were displaced from their homes by Hurricane Katrina.

“I'm thrilled that we were successful in finding all of our co-workers and even more pleased that we have had no reports of serious injuries,” said Pat Esser, Chief Operating Officer. “Locating all of our employees and verifying their health and safety has been our priority for the past three weeks. Now, our energy is focused on helping our employees and their families rebuild their lives and on restoring services fully to Cox customers throughout the area as soon as possible.”

Through the Cox Employee Disaster Relief Fund, established by Cox Communications' parent company, Cox Enterprises, the companies have already begun helping Cox employees recover. Audrey Hines, a helpdesk manager in Atlanta, talked with many New Orleans employees who called the special outreach phone numbers Cox established for employees to check-in and get updates. “Many of them have lost everything,” Hines said. “The phone calls were just so emotional, and we've been crying with them. They've lost their homes, clothes, their children's clothes, and their cars. Sadly, some have lost family members. Many employees evacuated with just the clothes on their backs – not realizing that absolutely everything left behind could be lost.”

There will be no lapse in pay to Cox New Orleans employees, and the company intends to put employees back to work as quickly as possible. To date, 160 of the system's nearly 1,000 employees have returned to work, working with crews and employees from other Cox markets, in restoration of services and to begin the arduous task of rebuilding the network and facilities.

“Already, we have restored services to many customers in the New Orleans area,” said Esser. “Employees from New Orleans and other Cox markets are working as quickly as is humanly possible to restore our vital broadband communications services and to rebuild our network to a condition as good, or better, as the community enjoyed before Hurricane Katrina. We are proud to help rebuild this great American city. Also, with today's good news that no Cox employees have been lost, we take the opportunity to thank the thousands of Cox employees, customers, business partners and the media who helped us to find our missing team members and who have generously donated to the Cox Employee Disaster Relief Fund.”

About the Cox Employee Disaster Relief Fund:

The Cox Employee Disaster Relief Fund has been established to aid Cox employees impacted by the Hurricane Katrina disaster. Donations from employees will be matched dollar-for-dollar, with funds directly benefiting employees and their families as they rebuild their lives. Donations may be sent to Leigh Ann Launius, Cox Enterprises, Inc, 6205 Peachtree Dunwoody Road, Atlanta, GA 30328.

About Cox Communications:

Cox Communications Inc., a Fortune 500 company, is a multi-service broadband communications company with approximately 6.7 million total customers, including approximately 6.3 million basic cable subscribers. The nation's third-largest cable television provider, Cox offers analog cable television under the Cox Cable brand as well as digital video service under the Cox Digital Cable brand, featuring advanced services including digital video recording, high-definition television and video-on-demand. Cox provides an array of other communications services including local and long-distance telephone under the Cox Digital Telephone brand, high-speed Internet service under the Cox High Speed Internet brand, and home networking. Commercial voice and data services are offered via Cox Business Services. Local cable advertising, promotional opportunities and production services are sold under the Cox Media brand. Cox is an investor in programming services including Discovery Communications Inc. Cox Communications is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cox Enterprises Inc.

Contact:
David Grabert
(404) 269-7054
David.Grabert@cox.com