Hurricane tech-prep for families from a dad who’s been through it

At a glance

• Preparing for a hurricane means having a plan that’s simple to use when things get stressful.
• Start by charging phones, battery packs and kids’ devices; enabling emergency alerts and location settings, downloading offline maps and documenting your home and valuables. 
• During and after the storm, conserve power, use simple check-ins with family, keep kids calm with familiar routines and take photos of any damage before cleanup.

Why hurricane prep matters for families

I’ve lived on the North Carolina coast near Wilmington for 16 years — surfing, teaching and raising three kids. Living here, hurricane prep is a part of family life. The biggest lesson I’ve learned: prepare your devices, supplies and communication plan before the forecast gets urgent.

As a professor at UNC Wilmington who studies how people learn with technology, I think about having a plan that’s ready to go, and easy to use when things get stressful. It’s all about making life more manageable for your family before, during and after the storm.

That goes for staying connected in those moments, too. As a long-time coastal Verizon customer, I know I can count on staying connected, even in extreme weather. Just like me, Verizon is regularly preparing to respond, and this year has introduced new tools like AI, drones and expanded satellite support to help local crews restore service faster.

With that in mind, here’s how our family handles the before, during and after of big storms.

Most families already have what they need:  

• A reliable smartphone — this is your weather radio, flashlight and more
• Charging cables and portable battery packs
• Verizon Home Internet or Wi-Fi
• Family location sharing, Verizon Family
• Devices for kids, Gizmo Watch or kid-friendly tablet

What to do before a hurricane

Level 1 — Before the storm: Set your family’s hurricane plan. The most important work happens before the storm is close. I start thinking about hurricane season in late spring and keep an eye on forecasts through the summer and fall.

Follow official updates from the National Hurricane Center. Forecasts update every six to 12 hours, and the track will shift. At about five days out, if you’re in the cone — the forecast zone where the storm is projected — it’s go time.

Prepare for conditions to be more hazardous than the forecast suggests.  If the forecast is a Category 1, I prepare for a Category 2 or 3. 

Before the storm, make sure you:

• Enable Wireless Emergency Alerts on all phones.
• Allow precise location in weather and safety apps.
• Charge phones, kids’ devices and battery packs.
• Download offline maps in case you need to evacuate.
• Take photos or videos of your home and valuables and store them in the cloud.
• Review insurance coverage for devices, smart home equipment and flood damage.
• Fill vehicles with gas, prep the generator (if you have one) and bring loose outdoor items inside.

Understand your insurance. Most of my devices are covered by Verizon Mobile Protect insurance. I pay a monthly fee for all of our phones and watches to be covered.

Talk to your kids. Explain how you’re preparing, where devices will be charged and the steps you’re taking to keep everyone safe. Sharing information can help ease their anxiety.

How to stay connected during a hurricane

Level 2 —During the storm: Conserve power and stay connected.  Once the storm hits, shift to conserving resources and managing stress. Kids take their cues from you. If you stay calm, it helps them stay calm. For kids, tablets or simple devices help keep them occupied. At the same time, keep them away from a constant stream of alerts when possible. We try to keep things as normal as possible with simple activities:

• Books
• Board games
• Movies or shows
• Familiar routines

During one storm, we got our kids to bed before it hit, and it was over before they woke up. Familiar routines help them feel safer. 

To manage your devices and conserve power:

• Turn on low power mode.
• Lower screen brightness.
• Close non-essential apps.

Have backup connection options:

• Wi-Fi or home internet
• Cellular network
• Verizon satellite emergency messaging

When one option fails, move to the next. I have relied on satellites when everything else was down, and now I make sure my devices support it.

Turn on location sharing tools like Verizon Family Plus. Simple messages to family like “We’re good” go a long way.

What to do if your family evacuates during a hurricane

Level 3 — If you evacuate: Keep essential systems and contacts ready. If you live on the coast, evacuation is part of life. I unplug most electronics and leave my internet and security systems running. During Hurricane Florence, my security cameras came back online when power was restored, which helped me know when it was safe to return. 

Before you leave:

• Know multiple evacuation routes.
• Leave earlier than you think you need to.
• Stay connected with neighbors for real-time updates.
• Plan ahead for pets so they can leave with you or be safely cared for elsewhere.

The storm may pass quickly, but returning home can take much longer. Flooding and road closures can delay access for days or weeks.

How to return safely after a hurricane

Level 4 — After the storm: Document damage before cleanup.

Before cleanup, reassure kids, check on neighbors and document everything. Take photos of all damage. 

Flooding often happens in unexpected places, especially from ponding water. Photos can help show before and after records for insurance (make sure your home insurance covers flooding). I have had to replace a roof after a storm, and documentation was key for insurance purposes.

Expect limited power and connectivity after the storm. Restoration is uneven. One neighborhood may have power while the next does not. Patience is part of the process as crews work to restore service.

How to prepare kids for hurricanes

Final thoughts: Help kids feel safe and prepared. Hurricane prep is not about having every tool. It is about having the right ones ready and knowing how to use them. When the power goes out, and the wind picks up, what matters is that your kids feel safe because you are calm, prepared and steady. Everything else supports that.

We got you: You’re there for them with Verizon Family. Verizon’s there for you—including our 3-year price lock*.

*Learn more about our 3-year price lock guarantee.