Almost everyone has lost their power at least one time or another during a weather event, but what if that power stays off for hours and hours, how do you stay informed? Your TV doesn't work, you don't have internet (unless you have a wireless card), but almost everyone has a cell phone, and a slew of those phones have social media apps.
During Tropical Storm Beryl, social media allowed the American Red Cross of Northeast Florida to provide critical information to the public, such as where shelters would be opening. They were also able to respond to questions and connect people with resources they needed.
"We were able to push out a lot of safety tips on flooding and power outages since we were not sure what would happen with the storm," said Red Cross spokeswoman Amber Bierfreund. "We had a lot of people commenting and thanking us, and forwarding messages on to their social contacts, so it was a big success. And the next time, if we have to open up shelters, it will be a fantastic avenue."
Many people no longer have landlines in their homes, so they rely on their cellphones. However, if the power stays out, FEMA administrators say families should make alternative communication plans for when wireless networks are congested, or cell phone batteries are low.
Craig Fugate, head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency explains, "When there's a big crisis, don't try to call people on your phones - text message. It's a lot faster and gets through. Use social media to update people ... and also be prepared when power outages occur how you're going to keep your electronic devices charged. Add to your evacuation kits your cell phone chargers."
If you do not have battery operated cell phone chargers, people should restrain from using their cell phones, to save whatever little battery life they have left for emergency phone calls only.
Sources: The Florida Times-Union, Reuters, NOAA, Futures Channel
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