Experts urge Americans to prepare for regional internet outages
Safety experts advise securing backup communications and cash reserves ahead of internet blackouts
Disaster preparedness experts have warned that most Americans remain unprepared for severe cyberattacks, grid failures, or infrastructure breakdowns that could cut internet access across entire regions. FEMA data from 2024 revealed that whilst 83% of surveyed respondents had taken at least three preparedness steps, only 32% felt confident those measures would help them survive a disaster.
USA Today reported that security analyst and author Robert Siciliano attributed potential power failures to the country's ageing 120-year-old electrical grid infrastructure. Siciliano recommended that households proactively stock up on food, water, batteries, and backup power sources to prepare for regional outages.
To maintain communication during widespread service disruptions, TruePrepper owner and former Air Force emergency manager Sean Gold suggested layering backup access methods. Gold noted that cellular hotspots provide short-term connectivity but fail if local towers overload or shut down. For broader disruptions, satellite providers offer alternatives, with Starlink costing $80 to $120 monthly alongside $349 in equipment, Hughesnet starting at $49.99 monthly on a two-year contract, and Viasat starting at $69.99 monthly. Starlink also offers a Roam backup plan featuring a $500 upfront cost and a $50 monthly fee that users can pause indefinitely.
Emergency management expert Chris Reynolds cautioned that because banking relies entirely on internet connectivity, severe network outages prevent people from accessing money through ATMs and card machines. Reynolds advised individuals to store small bills in a safe, waterproof location and maintain a prepaid card kept separate from primary financial accounts.
Disaster retailer Entropy Survival CEO Jeremy Gocke urged families to establish a pre-internet failure plan that specifies a physical meeting place, a check-in time, and a primary contact person. Gocke added that families should utilise satellite communicators or two-way radios to maintain contact if complete cellular communication failure occurs across their area.
