This story was written for WRAL TechWire Innovator partner Device Magic.

Natural disasters are not uncommon. In fact, the American Red Cross provided more relief aid from natural disasters in 2017 than it had in the previous four years combined.

In this digital age, technology can play an important role in natural disaster relief efforts. While the damage that natural disasters bring to communities, infrastructure and economies is devastating, there are ways that tech can help even when things seem ruinous.

Leveraging Offline Technology in the Absence of Wifi

There’s nothing like a hurricane or tornado that wipes out power lines and destroys homes that makes people realize how much they rely on the Internet on a daily basis.

Every hour, we communicate, navigate and process information through the connectivity of our devices. However, during a natural disaster, wifi and even cell towers can go out of commission. Offline technology allows a user to employ it without being connected to a network. This can be critically important when areas go off the grid.

“The thing that I can’t harp on hard enough is the ability to operate without Internet connectivity,” said Adam Shearin, a senior account executive at SaaS company Device Magic.

Device Magic is a mobile forms automation software company with applications that are fully functional offline. It’s helped clients like T-Mobile operate in areas like Puerto Rico and Texas after hurricanes.

“T-Mobile — they literally go into the affected area, with their forms, inspect towers and use that to drive a workflow process to say, ‘All right. This type of repair crew has to come to this tower.’ or ‘This tower is okay,'” explained Nancy Vodicka, VP of marketing at Device Magic.

Shearin mentioned Device Magic has been used for things like surveying insurance damage to infrastructure, has helped teams keep track of each other’s schedules and whereabouts, and even helped workers clock in and out of their jobs during natural disaster recovery work.

“Obviously the device needs to be charged, but as soon as it has power, those folks, regardless of where they are on the planet, they can do their job,” Shearin continued. “They can have access to the information they need to see, and that could be something as simple as a GPS coordinate for the next power pole that might be a hundred yards away, but you can’t see it because there are trees everywhere.”

When disaster strikes, the world doesn’t stop spinning, and offline technology can help people get things done and adjust to the interim period when connectivity is not readily available.

Using Technology to Aggregate Relevant Data

During a natural disaster, data is a big deal.

Whether it’s figuring out exactly where aid is needed, taking an inventory of damage or communicating needs, technology truly helps with the passage of information and helps spread the word.

For example, devices connected to Cisco’s Tactical Operations network are able to transfer data that aids relief efforts in places like Puerto Rico or refugee camps in Uganda. TacOps team members are supported by “a global network of volunteers” who can be ready to assist anywhere in a few days.

Paperless processes are also of vital importance when dealing with the aftermath of destruction. If everything is flooded and the postal service isn’t operational, for example, sending insurance reports and damage assessments (photos) electronically versus the mail is critical.

“Paper gets wet and blows away,” Shearin said. “Putting something on a paper form is not going to work in a natural disaster.”

Added Vodicka when speaking about addressing placement needs of people affected by natural disaster, “These situations are time critical.”

“There’s no need for an agent to have to find a fax machine and fax paperwork back to their office and wait for someone to pick it up,” she said. “That can take two or three days before someone in need has a bed to sleep in.”

Overall, technology that aggregates and sends data can be incredibly helpful in getting essential information to its intended destination fast.

Technology as a Window to What’s Happening

The surge of social media, smartphones and more has kept us abreast on everything happening as it’s happening. It’s no different with a natural disaster.

When Hurricane Harvey hit Texas, cell phone video and photos contributed to much of the media coverage that educated the public on what was going on.

Technology and social media also creates a feedback loop that enables affected people to not only communicate with those who can help, but for people to help in return.

Platforms like GoFundMe allow people to donate to families who might not have direct access to capital. And Facebook has a feature that allows people to “mark themselves as safe” during a cataclysmic event.

Geotargeting provides accurate location points where access and aid may be needed.

Ultimately, technology gives outsiders an inside look at what’s going on and those experiencing a natural disaster a vantage point into the outside world.

This story was written for WRAL TechWire Innovator partner Device Magic.