I cover hurricanes.
In the aftermath of a storm, there is no cell or internet service. I drive in and out of the hardest hit areas of disaster zones, searching for cell signals. With each passing minute, officials respond by limiting access, accompanied by roadblocks in government bureaucracy. Every second I spend looking for service to send photos, it becomes more challenging to return to the areas journalists want to be.
It’s a waste of time and a safety risk. Most traffic lights are out. Emergency crews are attempting to respond. Drivers are distracted and stressed. I had to plug two flat tires last fall in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian. With technology like Starlink’s satellite service, all I need is an open view to the sky. The technology has recently gained notoriety for its role in the war in Ukraine and in Florida during the aftermath of Ian.
I will be investing in the RV receiver at $599 and most likely, a waterproof storage/deployment case, made by Savage UTV at $640. You can help offset some of those costs by sending funds this way. Click the donate button for card transfers or Paypal/Venmo links/handles as desired.
Scenes in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida in 2021. Photos by Sean Rayford