How to Prepare Your Home Technology and Stay Connected During Storms

With hurricane season underway, many families are focused on preparing their homes, stocking supplies, securing property, and making emergency plans; but one critical area is often overlooked: your home technology.

At Comcast, we know staying connected during severe weather is more than a convenience, it’s essential. From accessing real-time weather updates to staying in touch with loved ones, connectivity plays a vital role in how we navigate emergencies.

Preparation starts before the storm arrives.

One of the simplest steps is ensuring your devices are fully charged. Smartphones, tablets, and laptops often become essential tools during a storm, helping you receive updates and communicate when routines are disrupted. Having backup power options, such as portable chargers or battery packs, can help extend connectivity when outages occur.

Power loss is one of the most common challenges during severe weather, and it can directly impact internet service. This is why it’s important to plan. In addition to backup batteries, consider alternative ways to keep devices powered, such as charging in your vehicle if needed.

Comcast also offers solutions designed to help customers stay connected when it matters most. For example, Xfinity’s Pro WiFi Extender, which includes storm-ready capabilities, can provide backup connectivity for several hours during power outages using a built-in battery and cellular connection. This added layer of support can help households stay online even when traditional connections are temporarily disrupted.

Staying informed is just as important as staying powered.

Downloading local news and weather apps ahead of time ensures you can receive real-time updates as conditions change. These tools provide critical information during fast-moving weather events, helping families make informed decisions and stay safe.

Your mobile device can also serve as a valuable backup connection. In some situations, using your smartphone as a hotspot can help maintain internet access if your home service is interrupted. Taking a few minutes now to understand your device’s capabilities can make a meaningful difference when it counts.

A few small steps can also help protect your equipment.

Simple actions like plugging devices into surge protectors can safeguard against damage from lightning or sudden power surges. Moving equipment such as routers or modems off the floor can also help reduce the risk of damage in the event of flooding.

It’s also important to ensure your contact information is current with your provider. Comcast encourages customers to keep their information up to date through the Xfinity app or website so they can receive alerts about outages and service updates.

At Comcast, we invest year-round in strengthening our network and preparing for severe weather, so we can help keep communities connected before, during, and after storms. But resilience also starts at home.

Ultimately, preparing your home technology is about reducing uncertainty during uncertain moments.

Taking proactive steps today can help ensure you remain connected, informed, and supported, even when severe weather impacts your area.

As hurricane season continues, the key takeaway is simple: prepare now so you can stay connected when it matters most.

Disclaimer: Taisha Walker is a director and copywriter for Comcast/NBCUniversal.