Page 12 - August 2018 NEWSWATCH

How to Get in Touch with Loved Ones During and After a Disaster
From Eastmans Online Genealogy Newsletter
Depending upon the nature of the emergency, all electricity, telephones, and even cell phone towers might be out of commission. In such cases, the use of telephones, cell phone towers, the Internet, and other high tech means of communications will be useless.
To prepare for disaster where you live develop a family plan to ensure everyone knows how to stay connected.
The Department of Homeland Security’s Ready.gov web site recommends discussing four main topics, including the shelter plan, evacuation route, communication plan and how you’ll receive emergency alerts or warnings.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) offers a family communication plan template to simplify the process of creating a emergency strategy.
Perhaps the best solution is also the most expensive one: obtain a satellite phone. The problem is that satellite phones are expensive.
There are many cell phone apps available that can prove beneficial in an emergency and that work despite lack of cell service.
When Hurricane Harvey pounded Texas and Louisiana in 2017, thousands of people used Zello, a free smartphone app that emulates a walkie-talkie. The major drawback of Zello is that both you and your loved ones need to have the Zello app installed and open in your smartphones in order to communicate. You can find more information about Zello at http://www.Zello.com.
Another app that is used to quickly notify loved ones is called Life360. It is useful for disasters of all sorts—not only hurricanes and similar disasters, but also for family emergencies such as an automobile accident, a medical emergency, a need to pick up a child after ball practice, or similar needs to quickly communicate with family members. According to the Life360 web site at https://www.life360.com. Life360 is available on iPhone and Android and it’s free.
In the case of a disaster, a couple of fully-charged backup batteries will be your best friends. Remember that the higher the storage capacity (measured in mAh), the more times it will recharge your cell phone during a multi-day power outage. There is also chargers with built-in Solar cells. Solar-powered battery is always ready.
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