Prepare Your Phone and Backup Communications for a Storm

Updated 8 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

Preparing your phone and backup communications before a storm helps you receive alerts, contact people, and get useful information if power or mobile service is disrupted. Set aside about 30 minutes while power and networks are reliable; you will need your phone, charging equipment, and contact details for the people in your plan.

What You’ll Need

Your phone and charging cable, plus a wall charger.
A charged power bank, if available; its cable and any adapter it needs.
Contact details for household members and an out-of-area contact.
Access to your phone’s settings and the emergency alert or weather apps available in your area.
Paper and a pen for essential numbers, addresses, and meeting details.

Step-by-Step

Charge everything while power is available. Charge your phone and power bank, and check that the charging cable works. If you have a car charger, keep it accessible, but do not plan to run a vehicle in an enclosed or partly enclosed space. Never use a generator or fuel-burning appliance indoors or near openings where exhaust could enter.
Check emergency alerts. In your phone’s settings, find the emergency alerts or government alerts section and make sure relevant alerts are enabled. Names and locations vary by phone and region. Also check that location services and notifications are available for the official local alert service you use. Wireless emergency alerts can depend on local coverage and compatible devices; do not rely on one alert source alone.
Choose trustworthy information sources. Save the website, app, or social account of your local emergency management office, weather service, and utility provider. Check that you have the correct official source, then allow notifications if useful. Avoid forwarding unverified warnings; check their time, location, and source before acting.
Make a short contact plan. Agree on who will contact whom, where to meet if separated, and which out-of-area person can relay messages. Write down names, phone numbers, addresses, and the meeting location. Include a plan for children, older adults, people who need assistance, and pets when relevant.
Save important information offline. Download maps for your area if your mapping app supports offline use. Save essential directions, shelter or meeting locations, and important documents in a form you can access without internet; protect sensitive information appropriately. Take screenshots of key instructions, but remember that screenshots can become outdated.
Prepare more than one way to communicate. Tell your contacts to use text messages for brief updates if calls do not connect; texts may get through when voice calls are congested, but this is not guaranteed. Agree on a check-in schedule and a simple status message. If you have access to a landline, battery-powered radio, or another suitable communication device, identify it as a backup and confirm how it works.
Make your battery last. Turn on low-power or battery-saver mode, lower screen brightness, shorten screen timeout, and close power-hungry apps you do not need. Turn off Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or location services only when you do not need them; keep cellular service and emergency alerts available when possible. A phone in airplane mode cannot receive calls or cellular alerts, so use it only when you deliberately need to conserve power and understand the trade-off.
Keep the phone protected and reachable. Put it and its power bank in a dry, accessible place, away from floodwater and extreme heat. Use a waterproof pouch if you have one, but do not assume it will protect a submerged device. Keep charging equipment out of wet areas, and do not charge a phone or power bank that is wet or damaged.
Test your plan before conditions worsen. Send a test message, confirm contacts have the right numbers, check that downloaded maps open in airplane mode, and verify your power bank can charge the phone. Tell household members where the written contact plan and backup equipment are. Follow evacuation instructions and local emergency guidance rather than delaying to finish setup.

Common Mistakes

Waiting until the warning: Networks may be busy and power may fail. Charge and download information early when a storm is forecast.
Assuming a full phone battery is enough: A phone can run down quickly while searching for a weak signal or repeatedly refreshing apps. Use battery-saving settings and check updates periodically.
Relying on calls alone: Calls can fail during congestion. Try a short text, wait before retrying, and follow your agreed check-in plan.
Depending on internet-only contacts: Messaging apps and social media need data access. Keep ordinary phone numbers and an offline contact list.
Turning off every connection: Disabling cellular service or alerts can prevent you from receiving useful warnings. Reduce unnecessary use without cutting off your best available alert channel.
Trusting old maps or screenshots: Roads, shelters, and instructions can change. Check current official information before the storm, and use live updates when service is available.

Tips

Keep emergency numbers on paper as well as in your contacts; a locked phone may still allow emergency calls, but access to saved contacts can vary.
Use a group text only if everyone knows the plan. For a large group, one designated contact can reduce duplicate messages.
Send concise updates with your name, location, condition, and next check-in time. Do not post private addresses or travel plans publicly.
If reception is poor, move to a safe location with a better signal only if conditions allow. Do not go outdoors into dangerous weather to find service.
After the storm, conserve battery until power and service are dependable again, and check official sources before traveling.

Troubleshooting

Alerts are not appearing: Check the emergency alert settings, notification permissions, and whether the alert system is supported in your area. Restart the phone if practical, but do not assume a settings change guarantees coverage. Monitor local radio or official sources through another available device.

Calls and texts will not send: Try one short text and wait for a response rather than repeatedly redialing. If safe, move to a location with better reception; check whether cellular service is available. Use a landline, radio, or another agreed contact if you have one. Emergency calling availability depends on local networks and conditions.

The power bank will not charge the phone: Check its charge level, cable, connector, and any power button or charging indicator. Try a known-working cable, if available. If the bank or phone is hot, swollen, wet, or damaged, stop using it and keep it away from combustible materials; do not attempt to open or repair a damaged battery.

You have no data connection: Open previously downloaded maps and saved information, and use SMS or voice service if available. A map download only works for the selected area and may not include current closures. For urgent safety information, use a working radio or follow instructions from local authorities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I turn my phone off during a storm?
Usually, keep it on so it can receive calls and alerts. Use battery-saver settings and reduce nonessential screen use; switch it off only if conserving power is more important and you have another way to receive urgent information.

Will text messages work if calls do not?
Sometimes. Texts use network resources differently and may get through during congestion, but delivery is not guaranteed. Send a brief message and wait rather than repeatedly retrying.

Can I rely on emergency alerts alone?
No. Alerts depend on factors such as device settings, local coverage, and power. Use more than one trusted source, such as official local updates and a battery-powered radio.

How much battery should I keep in reserve?
There is no universal percentage that guarantees service. Charge fully before the storm, carry a charged power bank if possible, and conserve power as soon as outages or poor reception begin.

Is a power bank safe to use in heavy rain?
Keep it and its connections dry unless the equipment is specifically rated for the conditions. Do not charge wet equipment, and follow the manufacturer’s safety instructions.

What if my phone is lost or unusable?
Use the written contact list and your agreed backup, such as a landline or radio. Go to a designated meeting place only when it is safe, and follow official evacuation or shelter instructions.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.