Not since 1991 Hurricane Bob has a hurricane threatened the Cape Cod area. With the abundance of social media tools, mobile devices, and so many websites on the Internet news and information is readily available with the click of a mouse or a tap on your screen.

 Here are some helpful tips to prepare yourself in the event  Hurricane Earl affects Cape Cod or if there is another natural disaster  in your area in the future: 

Before the storm

1. Be sure your laptop and mobile devices are fully charged.
2. Purchase a car adapter for your laptop and mobile device. If you loose power, you can always use the car as a power source.
3. If you use a router, check to see if there is a battery back up for it or better yet connect it to your generator. Rember even if there is an internet connection but you loose power you router will not work.
4. Create favorites or bookmarks of important sources of information like www.weather.gov, www.fema.gov, your local news stations, red cross, and town web sites. If you are on Cape Cod we have created some favorites at http://www.delicious.com/capecodsocialmedia.
5. On facebook be sure to “like” or become a fan of these websites you have bookmarked and on twitter you can follow them or create a list of them for others to follow.
6. Download weather, hurricane, and safety related applications on your mobile devices. A flashlight application will help out if you loose power. If you have a Kindle download some good books to read.

 During the storm:

1. Update your status so friends and family can follow developments and include a time you expect to make your next update. You can use facebook places to make updates as to where your location is.
2. If it is safe to do so, take pictures with you camera or mobile device to document the storm and help out emergency personnel.
3. Listen to local radio stations for updates. Alternatively, you could listen live via the radio station’s website with your computer or laptop.
4. Track the storm on your computer, laptop, or mobile device so you can be aware of what is happening with the storm and be aware of when it is safe to venture outside.

Please add any additional information that will help others prepare for and deal with a severe storm.