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Cell Service may be Jammed or Overloaded during a disaster

Emergency Communications 

​How will you communicate with family, friends, and emergency services during a disaster, when your cellphone may not work? Cell phones require working service or the internet and a charged battery to operate. Cell towers may go down during an earthquake, a severe storm, or other type of disaster. Or cell service may be jammed or overloaded, just when you need to communicate the most! You may need to rely on alternative forms of communication such as family band radios, satellite phones or devices, landlines, HAM Radio, social media, or even written notes and a sneaker-net. It's a good idea to know your options and have backup plans for communicating.

Create a Contact List

In an emergency or disaster, it is easy to forget even the most well-known information. That is why it is important to to make an emergency contact list for each member of your household. Be sure to include one or two family members or friends who live out of state, in case you need to coordinate communications outside the disaster area or use their location for evacuation if needed.
Make sure the contact sheet is kept in a place at your home where all members can access it, such as taped inside a cupboard or closet door. It is also important to keep a copy in your car, place of work, and in your go bag, so it is with you at all times. Be sure to update the information annually, or more frequently as contacts change. 
Make copies for nonresident relatives, babysitters, caretakers, neighbors, teachers—anyone who has contact with you or who may be responsible for your children (or any disabled or elderly persons in your home).  Check out our Family Emergency Plan and  Stay Informed webpages for additional information and tools. 
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Click to download form (source: www.stanfordchildrens.org)
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Click to download the Family Emergency Plan Worksheet

Basic Emergency Communication

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In a disaster, you'll need to receive critical updates and send information to get the help you need. Communications tools fall into two categories: 
  • One-way communication: Receiving or sending critical information and updates. An example of of a device that enables one-way communication is the radio in your car or an emergency radio that receives broadcast signals. Another example could be a HELP sign that you put in your window to inform your neighbors that you need help. 
  • Two-way communication: Sending AND receiving information. An example of two-way communication includes your cell phone and a variety of radios such as walkie-talkies (FRS or GMRS radios), shortwave radios, or satellite communications devices.

Staying Informed

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Click for more information on signing up for alerts
Staying informed before and during an emergency or can give you critical life saving information.  Timely information can help you take steps to avoid dangerous situations. Emergency information can be found on television stations, radio stations, phone apps, and on the internet. During an emergency, local, state or national authorities communicate important information over the Emergency Alert System (EAS) or through the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS).  
​Check out our Stay Informed webpage for information on how to sign up for emergency alerts and what you can do to stay informed before and during an emergency or disaster. Contact your local law enforcement agency and fire department to find the best ways to keep up-to-date on local safety concerns. 

Emergency Radio Stations

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AM/FM Radios are still a great way to gather information in a crisis and may work even when television and internet services have been interrupted. Emergency solar-power, hand crank, and battery-powered radios are all good options. Store batteries separate from the radio. A car radio may also be used to gather information. ​
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NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards (NWR)
One of the best ways to receive radio alerts and notifications is to get an emergency radio designed to receive the NOAA Weather Radio Stations and alerts. National Weather Radio (NWR) broadcasts weather warnings, watches, forecasts, and other hazard information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can purchase one that has multiple power options, including a hand crank when the power goes out. Look for NOAA radio models with the Specific Area Message Encoding (SAME) feature, which allows you to program your radio to turn on and warn you about events in your specific area. 
What are my local emergency radio stations? In the Portland Oregon area, you can tune into these stations: 91.5 FM KOPB, 1190 AM KEX. If you are within 3 miles of Beaverton City Hall, you can tune into 1610 AM. If you live elsewhere in Oregon, check our these resources to find stations in your area:

Cell Phones

If you are lucky, your cell phone may work during a power outage or a disaster, as long as the cell towers are operating. However, cell phone availability during a disaster can be limited due to capacity issues or damage to infrastructure. A high concentration of cell phone usage may cause a tower to become overloaded and shut down. Follow these best practices for using your cell phone during a disaster: 
  • Send Text Messages. Text messages may go through when voice calls cannot. They use fewer cellular carrier resources and conserve precious battery power.
  • Keep conversations short and to the point. Do not tie up lines with unimportant chatter during an emergency.
  • Conserve battery power.  Use the phone only as needed, and make sure to have alternative options for recharging your phone when the power is out. 
Cell Phone Backup Power
Consider these options for recharging your phone: 
  • Power banks or battery backup power packs. Be sure to always have several charged and ready to use in an emergency. 
  • Solar chargers or hand crank generators provide power by manually turning a generator. 
  • Car chargers and power inverters can be used to recharge a cell phone in vehicles. 

Satellite Communications

Satellite communication devices provides an excellent emergency communication method because it doesn't rely on land-based infrastructure like cell towers that might be damaged during a disaster. ​
  • ​Cell phone with satellite connectivity. Many newer cell phones now have satellite capabilities for Emergency SOS and text messaging. They can connect directly to satellites in space, enabling communication beyond cellular and Wi-Fi range. Compatible devices, like the iPhone 14 (or later models) and newer Samsung Galaxy S25 or Google Pixel 9 series, can send and receive messages, share locations, and contact emergency services even in remote areas with no traditional signal. This functionality is integrated into the phone's native messaging apps, often requiring a clear view of the sky, though it's currently limited to text, not voice or rich media.  Samsung and Google's satellite features are carrier-dependent, while Apple's are available to users of compatible iPhones regardless of their carrier. If you have a newer model phone, search the Internet for instructions on how to test this capability.  
  • Satellite communicators. Satellite communicators, such as the Garmin inReach mini, offer short messaging services, access to weather information and GPS navigation and tracking information. These types of devices are used by through hikers as a lightweight safety navigation and communications system. While the device can be expensive to buy, the emergency only service plans can be relatively affordable.  

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) allows you to talk over an internet connection. Face Time, Skype, Vonage, and RingCentral are examples of providers that use this technology. Depending on the provider you may have video as well as voice services. VoIP allows calls anywhere that you have a high-speed internet connection. Slow connections result in distorted and choppy calls.

Two-Way Radios

Two-way radios can receive and send information. For emergencies, common types of two-way radios include FRS/GMRS walkie-talkies, which are license-free and good for short-range communication and Amateur (Ham) Radios, which require a license but offer greater versatility, longer range, and the ability to receive various broadcasts like weather alerts. ​
FRS/GMRS Radios (Walkie-Talkies)
  • Description: These are common handheld radios that operate on short-range frequencies.  Family Radio Service (FRS) radios are for short-range communication and don't require a license, while General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) radios offer greater range, higher power (up to 50 watts), repeater access, and a broader range of frequencies but require an individual FCC license for a family for a one-time fee. Both FRS and GMRS radios share many of the same channels and can communicate with each other, but GMRS offers significantly more power and features for more serious communication needs.  
  • Pros: Inexpensive, widely available, and easy to use for basic communication. 
  • Cons: Limited range and power, especially in areas with obstructions. 
  • Best For: Family communication, coordinating within a small area during a local emergency. 
​Amateur (Ham) Radios
  • Description: A more versatile radio that requires a license to operate but provides access to many frequencies. 
  • Pros: Can receive weather broadcasts (like NOAA weather radio), offers a longer range than FRS/GMRS radios, and can be used as a backup communication system when infrastructure fails. 
  • Cons: Requires a license, can be more complex to operate. 
  • Best For: Serious preppers, emergency response teams, and those needing reliable, long-range communication and access to emergency broadcasts. ​

Amateur Radio Organizations

If you live in the Beaverton area, once you have your license, you can join the Beaverton Emergency Radio Team (BERT) to support your local community. ​
In times of crisis and natural disasters, amateur radio is often used as a means of emergency communication when landline telephones, cell phones and other conventional means of communications fail. These organizations can help you learn more about operating amateur (Ham) radios, get your license, and volunteer:
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Beaverton Emergency Radio Team (BERT) members; click for more info
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Click image to learn more about ARES
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Click on the image to go to the ARRL training page.

Backup Power

For backup power during an outage, consider using a combination of solutions: an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) for immediate protection of networking equipment, a portable power station or generator for longer outages, and a portable power bank or solar charger for personal devices like cell phones. However, you decide to get the job done, do your research, and buy the best quality available in your price range.
Immediate & Short-Term Solutions
  • Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS): 
    A UPS provides instant, short-term power from its internal battery when the grid fails, preventing abrupt shutdowns of your router, modem, and other critical network devices. 
  • Portable Power Bank: 
    Keep charged power banks on hand for your cell phones and other small electronics. 
  • External Phone Chargers: 
    A car charger or a crank USB charger can provide emergency power for your cell phone. 
Extended Outages
  • Portable Power Stations: 
    These versatile units can power various devices and can often be recharged with solar panels, providing sustainable power for extended periods. 
  • Generators: 
    Gas or propane generators offer high output and are suitable for longer outages, but require fuel and careful handling. 
  • Solar Panels: 
    Pair solar panels with a portable power station for a renewable and dependable backup power solution. 

Protecting your Comms Equipment

Check out this video by the Provident Prepper on how to construct a Faraday Cage for your sensitive radio communications devices. 
Communication devices are vulnerable to the effects of Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) and Geomagnetic Disturbance (GMD) from solar flares or Coronal Mass Ejections (CME). Keep your communications equipment unplugged to protect it from GMD or CME. To protect radios and other electronics from electromagnetic pulses (EMPs), geomagnetic disturbances (GMDs), or solar flares, use a Faraday cage, which is an enclosure made of conductive material that blocks external electromagnetic fields. You can create a basic Faraday cage by wrapping a device in several layers of aluminum foil, ensuring all seams are tightly sealed, or by using a metal garbage can lined with cardboard. For higher protection, invest in commercially available shielded Faraday bags or cages. 
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