{
  "id": 1484370,
  "title": "Dealing with disasters increasingly requires a smartphone – losing access can be a nightmare, but there are ways to prepare",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/dealing-with-disasters-increasingly-requires-a-smartphone-losing",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-08-17T12:36:43.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Conversation",
    "slug": "the-conversation",
    "url": "https://theconversation.com/dealing-with-disasters-increasingly-requires-a-smartphone-losing-access-can-be-a-nightmare-but-there-are-ways-to-prepare-289847"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In mid-August 2026, a series of severe storms and flooding wreaked havoc across the Midwest, leaving half a million people without power. Tropical Storm Lala caused further disruption in Hawaii, while wildfires forced evacuations in the western United States and a powerful earthquake struck Colombia. These events underscored the importance of smartphones in managing crises, as they help people receive warnings, follow evacuation routes, locate shelters, contact loved ones, and monitor rapidly changing conditions. However, smartphones can be lost or have drained batteries during disasters, and cell service may become unreliable, leaving people without a crucial lifeline.\n\nThe \"digital divide\" is now compounded by the risk of losing access to essential technology during emergencies, as people depend on their smartphones for critical information and services. Preparedness should focus on redundancy, which involves having backup sources of the same information that do not require electricity or a cellphone connection. Individuals should plan for the possibility of being without their phones, ensuring they have alternative ways to access vital information.\n\nEmergency response planners must consider not only who has access to technology but also who relies on it during disasters. They should explore alternative communication channels, such as radio broadcasts, television alerts, and community groups, to reach a broader audience. Some communities use traffic signs and community centers to disseminate warnings and evacuation details, while programs like New York City's Notify NYC distribute emergency information through multiple channels, including text messages, email, telephone calls, websites, social media, and American Sign Language videos.\n\nTo prepare for a crisis, individuals should keep a printed or handwritten list of essential phone numbers and medical information in an easily accessible location. They should also agree on meeting points for family members in case of communication disruptions and identify multiple evacuation routes. In an emergency, it is crucial to conserve battery power by using the cellphone only for essential tasks. Having duplicates of important information, such as contact numbers and medical details, in a waterproof bag or container can help ensure access to critical data even when technology fails. Additionally, checking on neighbors, friends, and family members, especially those in remote or mobility-impaired areas, can help information travel even when technology is not functioning.",
  "summary": "Mobile phones have become part of just about everyone’s emergency infrastructure. But what do you do when the power and service go out?",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}