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Hurricane season in Hawaii runs until November 30, so it’s always a good idea to stay prepared. While food and water are always at the top of your essentials list, it also helps to invest in some technology that will help keep you and your family safe. HI Now host Jobeth Devera is with John Cummings from the Honolulu Department of Emergency Management to talk about the tools people should consider having.

Cummings explains that Hawaii is one of the most isolated places on the planet. That fact combined with the state’s large population and limited daily resources, and he says Hawaii could experience a lot of problems if impacted by a hurricane or tsunami.

“We’re always advising folks to plan for 14 days of disaster supplies. That’s food, water, clothing, and of course, some of the most important things in there is having a battery or hand cranked radio and flashlight,” he says.

While a radio is how you will be able to get information after a disaster strikes, families should also take smart phone technology into consideration when putting together their communication plan. Cummings says the ability to text is crucial.

“One of the key elements of smart phone technology is the ability to text. Texting will push through before, during, and after a disaster when the phone lines are clogged with analog voice calls,” he explains. “This has been proven as far back as Katrina in 2005.”

Cummings also recommends downloading two free apps to help you stay prepared: HNL Info, the city’s app, and the Hurricane: American Red Cross app.

“The American Red Cross has an outstanding app for hurricanes. You can track hurricane systems, you can enter names and addresses of loved ones across the United States to know what’s going on in their regions, including ours,” he says. “And of course, we have our city’s app, HNL Info, where you can get emergency information and routine messages from the City and County of Honolulu Department of Emergency Management, fire department, and police.”

For more information: Honolulu.gov/DEM, facebook.com/OahuDEM, or Twitter: @Oahu_DEM