Tips to Stay Connected During Natural Disasters

 

(StatePoint) No matter where you live or what time of the year it is, individuals, families, businesses and others nationwide should be prepared for unpredictable weather and natural disasters – from hurricanes to tornadoes to wildfires. With some researchers forecasting a potentially record-breaking hurricane season and above normal risks for wildfires for some portions of the country this year, it’s important to be ready.

 

Effective communication is vital during disasters for receiving updates, talking with loved ones and reaching first responders. One of the most important things you can do ahead of time is learn how you can stay connected. Here are some tips from T-Mobile experts on ways you can prepare and get the information you need to stay in the know when it matters most.

 

• Keep phones and devices fully charged, and store back-up chargers and batteries. There’s nothing quite like losing power when your phone has a low battery, so keep devices full of juice. And make sure you have back-up chargers, portable chargers, and/or batteries so you can keep your devices on if your power goes out. You’ll also want to have a charger handy if you’re traveling. If you get stranded or stuck while driving, you’ll want a way to stay connected with loved ones or emergency services.

 

• Add important numbers in your contacts. Most of us have friends, family and coworkers programmed in our phones. But in an emergency, you may need to contact local police, fire departments or power companies. Program these numbers now so you don’t spend precious time looking them up during an emergency.

 

• Text instead of calling and keep calls short. Sometimes during a severe weather event or natural disaster, too many calls and texts at the same time can cause telecommunications networks to become congested. If you have trouble making calls, try texting instead. Text messages are more likely to get through than phone calls because they take up fewer network resources.