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World desk2 min

5 Essential Phone Preparations Before a Major Storm

Charge your phone and backup power, check Wireless Emergency Alerts, save key contacts, plan to text when networks are busy, and conserve battery during an outage.
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Before a storm arrives, charge your phone and backup power, confirm emergency alerts are on, and make a simple plan for contacting family. These steps can help you receive warnings and stay connected during an outage, but they do not replace evacuation orders or instructions from local emergency officials.

1. Charge your phone and prepare backup power

Charge your phone and any portable power bank before severe weather arrives. Keep a compatible cable and a wall charger or car charger somewhere easy to reach; if you have a go bag, pack the charging gear there. FEMA recommends having an emergency charging option, and the CDC lists power banks, car chargers, and adapters among useful backup power supplies.

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Choose equipment that works with your phone’s charging connection, and make sure the power bank itself is charged. There is no single power-bank capacity that fits every phone or outage; consider your device and likely needs rather than relying on a generic recommendation. See the CDC’s list of backup power sources and FEMA’s Get Tech Ready fact sheet.

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2. Check emergency alerts and trusted information sources

Confirm that Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) are enabled in your phone’s settings. The exact menu varies by device, so look for emergency or government alerts in the notification settings. The National Weather Service recommends enabling WEA in its hurricane preparedness guidance.

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You can also consider the FEMA app for preparedness information, shelter-finding help, and National Weather Service alerts for selected locations. FEMA’s app page, last updated October 29, 2024, says alerts can cover up to five locations in the United States; check the current app information for features and availability. Follow local emergency management and official weather sources for instructions. See FEMA’s app information.

3. Save key contacts and agree on a communication plan

Save important numbers for family, school, work, medical providers, and local emergency services. Keep a written copy as well, so you can still reach people if your phone is lost, damaged, or out of power. The National Weather Service recommends a written contact list, while Ready.gov’s hurricane checklist includes contact information among emergency supplies.

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Before the storm, decide how family members will check in and where to meet if you become separated. Make sure everyone knows the plan rather than relying on a single person’s phone or a live internet connection.

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4. Use text or messaging when networks are busy

Mobile networks can become congested during emergencies. If a call is not urgent, send a text or message instead of repeatedly calling. FEMA notes that texts use less bandwidth than calls and may get through more reliably when many people are trying to connect. The advice is included in FEMA’s emergency technology fact sheet.

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Use calls for urgent needs, and use the family check-in plan you agreed on before the storm. Texting cannot guarantee delivery if service is unavailable, so do not treat a failed message as confirmation that someone is safe.

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5. Conserve battery and protect the phone

During an outage, reduce nonessential phone use and save battery for emergency alerts, essential information, and important communication. FEMA’s hurricane safety guidance and Get Tech Ready advice both recommend conserving mobile-device battery.

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If the phone gets wet, follow the device maker’s instructions for that model; water resistance and handling guidance differ. Keep the phone and its charging accessories accessible, but do not let phone preparation distract from local safety instructions or evacuation orders.

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