Who Doesn’t Need Broadband?
September is the most active month of the year for hurricanes. If you haven’t yet seen the Netflix documentary, Katrina: Come Hell and High Water, it’s a sobering reminder of the lasting devastation a powerful storm can have on a community. Twenty years after Katrina made landfall, New Orleanians are still coping with the socioeconomic impacts of the Category 5 hurricane, including those who were permanently displaced to nearby cities in Texas and Georgia, never to return. In 2005, computer use among adults was occasional, and internet cafes were at their peak of popularity because there was a lack of widespread home internet adoption (and availability).
Fast-forward to 2025, and the internet and computers are ubiquitous. As of August 12, FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) requires that disaster survivors must have an email address to register for federal aid. Since the Atlantic Ocean reveals early tropical depressions that could mature into tropical storms and hurricanes as early as May, and hurricane season is now longer - from June 1 through November 30 annually - storm threats persist for at least half of the calendar year, placing a burden on how survivors cope, adapt, and rebuild. Today, we rely heavily on digital communications for information and support in the event of a natural disaster.
WHO DOESN’T NEED BROADBAND IN A NATURAL DISASTER
The Katrina documentary highlights how in 2005, many survivors made it through because neighbors helped one another. They pulled people and pets from rising waters, rescued stranded friends from rooftops, and used small boats and makeshift rafts to transport the lucky ones to higher ground. For people who believe the internet and computers are irrelevant in their lives, surviving and thriving after a natural disaster is complicated. Based on my decade-long expertise with broadband adoption and enablement, I have often heard people say:
No one has internet after a storm anyway, so no one can use their phones or computers. Cellular towers and communication in general are greatly affected after a storm, especially if there is no power. But for those who have devices, even spotty phone service is helpful to let others know you’re all right as well as to obtain information. Once service is restored, those who have internet service and digital skills can locate resources and support more easily.
My friends and family will help me. The days before a storm are chaotic and stressful. Hurricane preparedness guides suggest securing one’s own property and resources before helping others. Supplies also deplete quickly.
I’ll ask my neighbor. Many people evacuate before a storm, so trusted neighbors may not be around to help you find assistance or resources, and will not return until they can safely do so.
A CRITICAL DETERMINANT OF HEALTH
In some way or other, each of us interacts with the digital world every day. That frequency and depth of interaction is heightened in the event of a storm, when each of us must access essential, up to the moment news in order to prepare and stay safe before the storm and after. Relying on a landline, television, and even radio will not be sufficient. If the worst happens and you need support from FEMA, having someone create an email account for you will do little if you are unable to access it moving forward because you lack internet at home, a device, or the skills to manage your own email account. Mastering basic computer literacy will help you learn where to obtain fuel and food, which roads are impassable, and even how to perform basic first aid or repairs.
Editor's Note: Maribel Martinez is a digital inclusion subject matter expert and small business owner with over 25 years of experience in technology training, instructional design, professional development, and community outreach. She has created and developed programs and led teams during her first career as an educator and later as a professional trainer and nonprofit leader. Her efforts have collectively impacted millions, especially individuals from low-to-moderate-income backgrounds. Click here if you missed Blog Series 1: Who Doesn’t Need Broadband? published by The Patterson Foundation.
The Patterson Foundation’s Digital Navigator Program exists to bolster digital access for everyone in Charlotte, DeSoto, Manatee, and Sarasota counties and beyond. A Digital Navigator is trained to help community members of any age to find affordable home internet, acquire a free or low-cost device, and teach digital skills. All Digital Navigator services are free. For more information on working with a Digital Navigator, call (941) 952-1413.
