Businesses Open/Closed During a Disaster

As travelers, business status in emergencies is very important. Just look at the recent storm in the northeast, many people are still without power, with another storm bearing down.

A good, rapidly updated consolidated source of what's closed, status updates, etc. would always be welcome.

Not sure how it would be timely as a POI file. Probably better off as some sort of web-based database searchable by town, zip code, county, etc.

This type of info is only useful in real time.

I presume that during such an emergency, cell service (or land lines for that matter) is probably doubtful so downloads to update a POI file cannot be relied upon. While the GPS has its own operating system with the satellites, updates to files are internet dependent.

I find the idea is a good one but we would need a completely independent process for the critical data updates.

pb46 is correct, but under the circumstances, no list will be totally correct. Better mostly correct than nothing at all.

With that said, proper latitude and longitude for each place would be essential. The coordinates should be done in a way that pinpoints to the driveway. Just geocoding the address isn't always accurate.

Then SABER would have to have a quick way to compile the data into a csv file that could be downloaded regionally. Garmin is likely the number one GPS choice so if compiled for Garmin, it would cover the majority. Not perfect but pretty good.

Best might be for them to keel at their own site rather than POI Factory due to speed of updating.

I suspect this would have to be hosted on a stand alone site where vendors could do their own updating and others looking for information would view without signing in.

I see the need and think it is a good idea but coordination through down cell towers and potential users not aware such a site exist would be difficult to overcome.

What each of you describe is pretty much were we are today - www.SABERspace.org is the website for companies to upload status (those that are not permanently connected or using our mobile app). The site also contains a Status Map showing location and status plus other details as provided by the company.

I didn't see a way to move this quickly to POI devices, but thought I would ask.

If anyone else has innovative idea, please let us know. I'll keep this post updated.

Thanks for this service. Reminds me of another paper company though...

POI would have to be made up from scratch and someone update several times a day vs one website where all the info could be better split into groups such as food stores, gas stations, hardware stores, transportation and others. Would seem a tough road for a poi file.

But it doesn't matter. During a disaster, no towers ...... no signal.....no power .... no internet .... no updates ...... no nottin! .....point is moot!

Looks like a pony express is more reliable ....but not very useful in this case

the only thing I could see that would function in an emergency would be a cb or ham portable radio that ran off batteries , cb radios used to be popular for a while but with cellphone use not to many people use them much any more and ham operator's are becoming fewer and fewer I still have my cobra CB radio for my car in the garage someplace but I haven't used it for years, they used to have a lot of CB clubs around and they used to organize camping party's club meetings over the radio.

This would have to be web based so people can access it on devices with cell system access. It also needs to be as real-time as possible.

If it is done right, and that means open and extremely user-friendly across all platforms, it would be very valuable.

A few years ago, I was without power for 11 days after a snow storm, our cell phones were the only link to the world. We charged the phones in the car once in a while. Cell system worked throughout the event.

While the original post stated during a disaster (such as hurricane) seems pretty obvious he is speaking after it passes and power, cell phone towers/services are being repaired constantly and trying to find more ways to get the word out as services come back online/businesses re-open and bring those that need and those that have what's needed together.

I guess I relied too much on the thread title
"Businesses Open/Closed During a Disaster"
.................

I think that geo334 has the best idea so far ...... Always liked the idea and usefulness of CB's ....... But a lot of work to setup/staff and maintain!