Carrier Tips To Stay Connected As Hurricane Milton Approaches

The latest updates predict that Hurricane Milton will reach Florida sometime tonight. Many areas have already received notice to evacuate their homes. Staying connected during these trying times can be difficult. While the major US carriers make preparations to maintain networks, they also have some advice for those affected by the looming weather event.

AT&T

The carrier has prepared for Hurricane Milton by following forecasts from its team of meteorologists at the AT&T Weather Operations Center in order to keep its customers, network, and employees safe. This includes:

• Topping off generators with fuel at our cell sites and switch facilities.
• Testing backup batteries at cell sites.
• Protecting our physical facilities against flooding.
• They strategically stage emergency response and network recovery equipment for quick deployment following the storm.
• Prepping dedicated FirstNet® deployable network assets for use by public safety agencies on FirstNet, as requested

Tips

AT&T also offers the following tips to those likely to be affected by Hurricane Milton in Florida:

• Save battery life. To save your phone’s battery during a power outage, try power-save mode, turn off Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, delete apps, or enable Airplane Mode.
• Keep mobile devices charged. Make sure to fully charge your mobile devices before a weather event and have an alternate way to charge your smartphone in case of power outages. A car charger or backup battery pack can be helpful. If you have multiple devices, consider a multi-port backup battery pack to keep them charged.
• Keep your mobile devices dry. Mobile phones can be a critical lifeline during a storm. To protect yours, store it in a water-resistant case, floating waterproof case, or plastic bag.
• Protect vital documents. Back up important information and documents, such as insurance and medical papers, to the cloud or computer for easy access from any device.
• Have a family communications plan. Review the plan with your family and choose someone out of the area as a central point of contact if your family is separated.
• Update emergency contacts. It is important to store emergency contacts in your mobile phone, including numbers for the police, fire station, hospital, and family members.
• Stay informed with your mobile device. If a storm causes a power outage, you can still access local weather reports using your mobile device.
• Take advantage of your smartphone’s features. Use your phone camera to photograph and record any damage before you file an insurance claim. Location-based technology (GPS) can help find evacuation routes or track a family member’s location.
• Be prepared for high call volume and keep non-emergency calls to a minimum. During severe weather, many people may try to call simultaneously, which may cause network congestion. If you get a “fast busy” signal on your phone, hang up, wait a few seconds, then try again.
• Try texting instead of calling. Because text messages require fewer network resources, they may go through faster than voice calls.

The last point about sending a text rather than trying to call is especially salient. How often in the movies do you see a character try to call with almost no battery left or in a terrible signal area and not get through? However, if a text had been sent, the probability of it reaching the intended recipient would have been much higher.

Verizon

Like AT&T, Verizon has a Frontline Crisis Response Team standing by to assist first responders with mission-critical communication capabilities.

Verizon offers similar tips to AT&T on how to prepare for Hurrican Milton, along with the following additions:

• Stock up on power supplies, such as batteries for flashlights and radios or device chargers. Take it a step further by charging your devices that can charge other devices, like laptops and power stations. Don’t forget to ensure you have the cables!
• Download movies, books, apps, and games in case of a power outage. Gather board games, card games, and puzzles to go device-free.
• Locate important documents you may need later, as well as sentimental photos and items.
• Plan non-perishable meals. Keep a few non-perishable ingredients on hand, like a manual can opener and other kitchen tools.
• Grab candles, blankets, pillows, or anything that makes your hurricane-safe space comfortable.
• Bookmark Verizon’s Check Network Status page or go to the My Verizon app and click Support Topics to alert the carrier of any network issues or to check for known problems in your area. Enter your location, select the type of service issue, and it will provide a real-time status update.

T-Mobile

T-Mobile is more to the point with its advice, giving tips on how to put together a “Go Bag” which features everything you and your family might need during any disaster.

Obviously, the safest way to protect yourself, your family, and your pets is to evacuate the property if possible. But if that’s not an option, being prepared is the next best thing.

However you prepare, we at TalkAndroid wish you well and hope you and yours stay safe during Hurricane Milton.