How Technology Can Help During Severe Weather

Tech - by Joe Weber - updated on 4/7/2023

Severe weather can happen anytime, anywhere. Whether it's February tornadoes in Texas and Oklahoma or unrelenting rain in California. There are strong storms developing all around the country early this year and it's best to be prepared. See how the devices that you already have with you can help you stay during severe weather and some tips and tricks to keeping those devices working when the power goes out.

What Should I Keep In My Home for a Power Outage?

• Power banks
  Have a charged portable power bank in your home that is easily accessible, like the Goal Zero Sherpa 100AC, that can provide plenty of power for multiple devices that need charging.
• Power stations
  A Goal Zero Yeti will allow you to have enough backup power for whatever power demand you have. Whether you need something to charge your phones or power essential home appliances, Goal Zero has you covered.
• Phone chargers
  Make sure you have phone chargers and cords stored with your power banks or stations so you can easily plug in your devices to charge when the time comes.
• Weather radio
  A weather radio is a very important tool to have in your home to be alerted to any severe weather threats that are in your area. There are many varieties of weather radios with different power supplies. Some will come with a standard wall plug but include a battery backup using AA or 9V batteries.
• Flashlights
  When the power eventually goes out you are going to want a few quality, working flashlights so you can move about the house safely. Especially at night.
• Batteries
  Stocking up and having a stockpile of fresh batteries is a key point to keeping flashlights, weather radios and other gear working when the power is out. The newly released Batteries Plus branded AA and AAA batteries are great to have on hand and are long-lasting and designed for high-performance demands.
• Phones and Tablets
  Your cell phones and cellular-connected tablets allow you to stay in contact with friends and family in an emergency, they also allow you to stay in the know with news and weather reports via the internet.

Tips to Keep Your Devices Safe During Severe Weather

Before the storm hits

• Being prepared is key. The National Weather Service   has a tool available to help you build a severe weather emergency plan and kit to help keep you safe.
• Charge up your devices before the storm arrives so you have plenty of power left before you need to utilize any backup power.
• If you have important information saved on mobile devices or computers it's important to back up your data if something happens to any of your devices. You don't want to lose important data.
• If you live in an area with frequent severe weather or power outages, installing a home backup system may be a good idea. With these systems, you can easily switch to your backup power of choice when the power goes out.

During the storm

• Make sure that all devices that could be damaged during any power surges are unplugged from any home outlet.
• If they are not already on, turn on the emergency alerts on your phone. If you don't have a weather radio nearby, these alerts will help you get to safety against tornado threats.

iPhone

1. Go to Settings
2. Tap Notifications.
3. Scroll to the bottom.
4. Under Government Alerts, turn the alert on or off.

Samsung

1. Go to Settings
2. Tap Notifications
3. Then Advanced Settings
4. Tap Wireless Emergency Alerts

Some older Android phones may vary but this is the most common navigation to these settings for Android devices.

• Safety is paramount in severe weather situations. Your phones may have emergency alerts but having a weather radio on and nearby will add another layer of safety to your emergency plan.

After the storm passes

First things first, make sure everyone that you are with is unharmed and accounted for. Once everyone is confirmed safe and healthy:

• If the power went out, check the circuit breakers and flip them on if they tripped off during the storm.
• If the storm knocked out the power in the area, use your phone or connected tablet to check if your utility company's customer service department has noted a power outage.
• Boot up your backup power source to keep essential home equipment, like the heat or air conditioning, running while the power is out.

What Type of Home Backup System Should I Install?

Having a backup power source for your home is a great idea no matter where you live and what power situation you are experiencing. Batteries Plus offers two types of home backup power for you to look into for your home backup solution.

Generators

Champion generators are a great lower-cost solution to providing your home backup power. Whether it runs on gas, propane or both, Champion generators come in a variety of sizes and formats to give you reliable power in the worst scenarios.

Champion generators are available in:

• Both gas and Dual Fuel (gas and propane) powered
• Available in pull start, electric start and remote start
• All Champion generators come with lifetime technical support

Goal Zero Lithium

Goal Zero makes a number of backup power solutions for at home and on the go. The Goal Zero solutions available at Batteries Plus will allow you to have quiet, battery-powered power stations to power your home.

The Goal Zero line includes:

• Lithium power stations for home and camping use
• A home integration kit to connect power stations to your home power (professional installation required)
• Large yet travel-friendly power banks to keep your devices charged while on the go.
• Solar panels for Yeti power stations.

Expert Tip!

Both generators and lithium power stations can be integrated into your home's electrical system for easy switching on when the power goes out. Contact your utility company for more information on this process. Many utility companies will provide expert installation of necessary equipment or you may be required to work with a licensed professional electrician.

Find your Storm Prep Supplies at Batteries Plus

Whether you need batteries, flashlights or a whole home backup power supply, your local Batteries Plus has what you need when you need it. Stop by or visit us online to see all we have to offer to keep you and your family safe in a weather emergency.