(StatePoint)

No matter where you live or what time of the year it is, individuals, families, businesses and others nationwide should be prepared for unpredictable weather and natural disasters – from hurricanes to tornadoes to wildfires. With some researchers forecasting a potentially record-breaking hurricane season and above normal risks for wildfires for some portions of the country this year, it’s important to be ready.

Effective communication is vital during disasters for receiving updates, talking with loved ones and reaching first responders. One of the most important things you can do ahead of time is learn how you can stay connected. Get tips from T-Mobile experts to stay informed when it matters most.

  • Keep phones and devices fully charged, and store back-up chargers and batteries. There’s nothing quite like losing power when your phone has a low battery, so keep devices full of juice. And make sure you have back-up chargers, portable chargers, and/or batteries so you can keep your devices on if your power goes out. You’ll also want to have a charger handy if you’re traveling. Stay connected in case of emergency while driving.
  • Add important numbers in your contacts. Most of us have friends, family and coworkers programmed in our phones. But in an emergency, you may need to contact local police, fire departments or power companies. Program these numbers now so you don’t spend precious time looking them up during an emergency.
  • Text instead of calling and keep calls short. Sometimes during a severe weather event or natural disaster, too many calls and texts at the same time can cause telecommunications networks to become congested. If you have trouble making calls, try texting instead. Text messages are more likely to get through than phone calls because they take up fewer network resources.
  • If you don’t have mobile service, try Wi-Fi calling. If your power and Wi-Fi connection are still on but your mobile service is down, you may be able to call someone via Wi-Fi. For Apple phones, go to Settings > Phone > Wi-Fi Calling and for Android phones, go to Settings > More Connection Settings > Wi-Fi Calling.
  • Stay safe and calm. Network engineers prepare for weather conditions throughout the year so they can restore service if needed as soon as possible. But hazardous conditions may cause delays. Downed trees, power outages and other obstacles can hinder restoration efforts. Engineers will make repairs as soon as it’s safe to do so.

For more information from T-Mobile on communications and disaster preparedness, check out www.t-mobile.com/news/uncarrier/t-mobile-ready-to-respond.

A few simple steps can help ensure that even during natural disasters and unexpected events, you’re able to connect with first responders and the people you love.