Your Family Communication Plan
Last verified: September 2026
A storm scatters a family right when networks jam. A simple plan made ahead — an out-of-town contact, cards, and meeting places — keeps everyone connected. It's free, and it matters enormously. Call (330) 200-8042.
Your Family Communication Plan, at a Glance
A storm has a way of scattering a family — one at work, one at home, one at the store — right when phones and networks get overwhelmed. This guide sets up a simple plan made ahead of time: an out-of-town contact everyone checks in with, cards everyone carries, how and where you'll connect, and a plan for the kids. It costs nothing and answers the questions that cause the most worry in a storm — is everyone okay, and where do we meet? There's a printable 29-page version up top.
Common Questions
1 What's the most important part of a communication plan?
An out-of-town contact — one relative or friend far from the storm whom everyone checks in with. When local networks jam, a distant number is often easier to reach, so that one person becomes the hub that connects a scattered family.
2 Why should we text instead of calling in a storm?
Texts use far less battery and often get through when a jammed network won't complete a call. Agreeing to text first — especially the out-of-town contact — keeps everyone connected while sparing everyone's battery.
3 What if the kids are at school when a storm hits?
Make sure they know the out-of-town contact and carry a contact card, and talk with their school about its emergency plan and who it will release them to. Teach them how to reach a parent or the contact.
4 What if we get separated and can't reach each other?
Work the plan in order: text, then try the out-of-town contact, then head to your agreed meeting place and stay put so others can find you. Leave word about where you are rather than going out to search.
5 Where should our meeting places be?
Choose two: one right near home, like a neighbor's or a mailbox, for a quick exit, and one outside the neighborhood, like a library or relative's home, in case you can't get back to your area. Make sure everyone knows both.
6 What backups do we have if cell service fails?
A corded landline may work when towers are down, a note on the door tells family where you've gone, and a prearranged meeting place works with no technology at all. A weather radio keeps official information flowing.
Would You Rather I Just Help?
A family communication plan is free and priceless, and I'm glad to help. I'll help you pick a contact, print the cards, set the meeting places, and set up the phones to match. $99 flat for a visit, or often $49 on-screen.
Would you rather I just do this for you?
No shame in it — plenty of folks would rather hand it off, and that's what I'm here for. I'll come to your home, set it up right, and make sure it's working before I leave. Flat $99 per visit — no jargon, no upsell, and every visit is 30-day come-back-free.
Not a hardware job? I can often fix it remotely for $49 — a secure screen-share, up to 2 hours, that you watch the whole time and can end whenever (included free for $39/mo Support Plan members, and it counts toward the $99 if it turns out I need to come out).