How to Communicate During a Disaster
Lack of communication with loved ones during an emergency can add enormously to the stress of the disaster. Having a communication plan in place takes a little advance planning but can help families find each other and reconnect faster. Here are 8 things that might reunite you with loved ones in times of crisis.
Cell phones will be everyone’s first go-to for communication. However, this means that systems could be overwhelmed and useless. So, if phones aren’t working, go old-school: leave notes in the home for each other, even if you are going up the street.
Keep a landline in your home. Landlines have proved to be more reliable during many recent disasters than cell phones.
Choose an out-of-state relative or close family friend with a landline who is willing to be a connector during a disaster. Every person in your immediate family should memorize this phone number. (Can you put it to song for easier recall?). A memorized phone number can be remembered even if cell phones are dead or have been lost in the disaster (think flood or fire).
Have a list of phone numbers to all agencies that might be needed. Include the numbers of immediate family and the out-of-state contact from #3. Make physical copies of this list, and keep them in a variety of locations. Keep this list in a drawer or cupboard near all doors leading out, with important documents, and in the garage. Have each family member take a picture of this list, so it is on their phone, and keep a copy in the cloud.
Identify a meeting place for members of the household that will become the meeting place if the home is not safe (think fire, earthquake, flood, etc.). If phones are down, face-to-face meetings will bring immense peace-of-mind.
Subscribe to text alerts from local agencies, schools, governments and weather monitors.
When phone systems are overwhelmed, email, text, Facebook, Twitter and other social platforms might still be working.
Conserve your cell phone battery and have a plan to recharge when needed. When phone systems begin to work again, your phone will still be useless without power.
Doing these things will keep you informed and help you stay in touch with loved ones during an emergency. Being prepared for a disaster can mean all the difference. When traditional communication is not available, having alternative options in place could speed up the reconnection process.