My iPhone is part of our family disaster kit.

With the official start of hurricane season last week, it's time to make your mobile phone a big part of your disaster strategy, too.

It won't be enough to plan to stuff your phone in a pocket or purse to have handy when the worst happens. You also should learn how to keep it working as long as possible when recharging isn't possible, and how to take advantage of wireless features that can be helpful during a hurricane — even during a power outage.

Like all cell phones, mine won't be able to make or receive calls when local cell towers or switching stations become severely damaged or lose electrical power. "But there are definite advantages to the iPhone during a hurricane scenario," says Kelly Layne Starling, a south and west Florida spokeswoman for AT&T.

For instance, even when land lines and cell towers are out of service, I can still access online news alerts and updates from the National Hurricane Center and other sources (including the Sun-Sentinel, which e-mails breaking news to registered users.). That's because iPhones (as well as some Blackberrys and other wireless handsets) are capable of connecting to any open Wi-Fi network to gain access to e-mail and Internet.

My iPhone is also GPS-enabled. That means it allows me to use Google Maps to check local traffic and avoid back-ups caused by storms or problems related to mass evacuations. It just takes a couple of clicks on the iPhone to get real-time traffic conditions. If your phone is GPS-enabled or you're in the market for one, check with your carrier to find out about similar features and how to use them.

To find out more about the biggest Florida carriers and their features and plans, visit: www22.verizon.com; www.sprint.com/index.html; www.wireless.att.com; www.metropcs.com; and www.t-mobile.com.

Storm-proof networks

For the most part, when hurricanes Wilma and Katrina struck South Florida, the major carriers were able to keep cell phones operating. And to better their chances of pulling it off again in the next disaster, Verizon, Sprint and AT&T have invested money to bolster and hurricane-proof networks throughout the state.

"Generally, people can expect significant reliability from their wireless phones before, during and after a hurricane," says Stephanie A. Vinge, a spokeswoman for Sprint.

Sprint spent $59 million for hurricane preparations in storm-prone coastal communities last year. Verizon has ponied up $150 million to strengthen its network in Florida in the past 12 months alone. AT&T expects to spend $220 million dollars this year to enhance its Florida network, which will also include various hurricane preparations.

New generators

Much of the investments are being spent on portable and permanent generators to keep cell towers and sites self-powered, as well as mobile cell sites that can be driven on trucks to replace damaged sites immediately.

These companies also have assembled teams of technicians that can swarm an area where cell phone operations have been disabled. AT&T has mobile base camps that include sleeping tents, bathrooms, kitchen and laundry facilities, an on-site nurse and thousands of MREs (military meals), along with Hazmat equipment.

Unfortunately, none of this guarantees your cell phone will definitely work when a hurricane strikes.

That's why, despite small but growing numbers of consumers saving money by canceling land-line home phone service and keeping cell phone service only, I think it's smart to have both services if possible. Corded phones should still work even in power outages and are just another way to help ensure you can contact family, friends and authorities as necessary.

Tips to prepare:

Keep wireless phone batteries charged at all times while a hurricane is approaching. Charge back-up batteries too.

Keep your cell phone dry. Place extra phones and accessories, including chargers, in a plastic bag.

Make only important calls. Making too many calls drains batteries.

Text, don't talk. Texting uses less power and may work even when voice calls do not.

Program emergency numbers in your phone so you don't have to look them up later. Also, write down those numbers and keep nearby in case your phone batteries die and you have to borrow one that does not have your saved numbers.

Make a family communication plan. Designate a central contact out of state or the area that everyone can call to check-in.

Save important Web sites in your phone's browser. You can go to www.sun-sentinel.com/storm and www.floridadisaster.org for the latest information, including about evacuation routes and shelters.

Take care of your cell phone in an emergency and chances are it will take care of you, too.

Daniel Vasquez can be reached at dvasquez@sun-sentinel.com, or 954-356-4219, or 561-243-6600, ext. 4219. To see more columns from Daniel Vasquez, go to sun-sentinel.com/vasquez.

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