Cards, ATMs or banking apps may fail.
- Check whether cash or card payments work before shopping.
- Keep any cash you already have safe; small bills help.
- Write an essentials list: food, medicine, transport.
- Ask businesses which payment methods they accept.
- Never share PINs or passwords with emergency callers.
Websites, apps and cloud services may be unavailable.
- Save offline maps and key instructions beforehand.
- Write down addresses, contacts and meeting places.
- Keep essential medical information on paper.
- Try SMS if data fails but cell service works.
- Check radio or local notices for verified updates.
Calls and texts may not go through.
- Try texts briefly; conserve battery.
- Agree on a household meeting point in advance.
- Choose an out-of-area contact.
- Check radio or official in-person notices.
- For urgent help, try 911; if unavailable, seek safe local help.
Electricity may fail across a large area.
- Use daylight and flashlights you already own.
- Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed.
- Unplug sensitive devices; conserve phone charge.
- Check on neighbors needing powered medical devices.
- Never use grills, generators or camp stoves indoors.
Taps, treatment or sewer systems may fail.
- If warned ahead, fill clean food-safe containers.
- Set aside drinking water first; remember pets.
- Check utility boil-water or do-not-drink advisories.
- Use less water; avoid unnecessary flushing.
- Boiling kills germs, not chemical contamination.
Stores and deliveries may be disrupted.
- List food already in your pantry and freezer.
- Plan meals around foods you actually eat.
- Add one shelf-stable item only when affordable.
- Ask food pantries about support before a crisis.
- Keep cold food cold; never taste-test spoiled food.